2024 Philippines Guide To Legally Betting On Boxing

Boxing hits close to home for Filipinos. In the Philippines, betting on boxing is a popular market for residents. There are multiple offshore sites hosting Filipino and international betting lines on boxing, all of which are available to bettors from the area. The Philippines has produced some of the sport’s most talented figures. The likes of Pancho Villa and Manny Pacquiao have been unmatched in boxing and the next wave of talented Filipino boxers is on the rise. This page was created exclusively for betting on boxing in the Philippines and has information on the history of the sport and how to go about placing safe and legal wagers online.

Is It Legal To Bet On Boxing In The Philippines?

Yes. It is legal to bet on boxing in the Philippines as sports betting in general is legally sanctioned, both domestically and online through MegaSportsWorld or licensed offshore sportsbooks that accept Filipino players.  PAGCOR is the primary operator hosting wagering options through both brick-and-mortar and online platforms. MegaSportsWorld is the domestic sportsbook, website, and phone service for placing bets on boxing. At MSW, though, you won’t find the same extra features that offshore sites provide. A lot of Filipino bettors tend to prefer the offshore sites because they provide a more comprehensive boxing betting experience with different wagering types and a wider selection of matches and fighters to bet on. Boxing is regulated in the Philippines by the Games and Amusement Board (GAB).

Most Reputable Online Sportsbooks To Legally Bet On Boxing In The Philippines For 2024

Site NameBonus OfferPayout SpeedPHPlay Link
Online Sportsbooks
Betonline50% Max $1,00024-48 HoursPlay Now
1XBit Casino and SportsbookUp To 7 BTCInstantPlay Now
Sports Betting50% Max $1,00048 HoursPlay Now
MyBookie Logo50% Max $1,00024-48 HoursPlay Now
Xbet Logo50% Max $50024-48 HoursPlay Now

There are a lot of offshore sportsbooks on the Internet, but not all are considered 100% legitimate. Filipino residents must ensure they are betting on a site that is legally licensed and regulated. Below you will find a table comprising the best available offshore sportsbooks that fall within this category.

Each one of these sites accepts Filipino bettors and is highly regarded within the industry. You can click the links provided in the table to check them out for yourself. There is no obligation to place a bet or even make an account upon browsing.

How Boxing Came To Be In The Philippines

It is said that a group of Americans brought the wave of boxing to the Philippines. These included Frank Churchill and Eddie and Stewart Tait, amusement park operators and boxing enthusiasts. Now, boxing is a cultural phenomenon in the Philippines. It has gone through several generational gaps over the years in terms of dominant fighters and the nation’s presence in the international circuit. With these gaps, there have been highs and lows in between, but the sport is still popular on a local level with amateur competitions. Filipino residents are optimistic that the next generation is on their way up.

Golden Age Of Boxing

Boxing first became legal in the early 1920s. The Olympic Boxing Club has founded in Manila City shortly after. Some of the early significant boxing figures were Dencio Cabanela, Speedy Dado, Franciso, Elino, Macario, and Ireneo Flores, Pete Sarmiento, Sylvino Jamito, Macario Villon and Pancho Villa. Villa put the country on the map when he won the world flyweight championship against Jimmy Wilde, a notorious Welsh fighter. He became the first ever Asian world champion. Villa ended up successfully defending his title on 3 separate occasions.

Second Wave

In 1955, Gabriel “Flash” Elorde defeated the reigning world featherweight champion, Sandy Saddler. This particular match was not for the title, but it established Elorde as a serious contender. He went on to win the world super featherweight title after defeating Harold Gomes in 1960. Gomes had quite the title defense, retaining his place for over 7 years. Boxing eventually gave way to other rising sports like basketball, but it made a strong return thanks to one man.

The Pacquiao Era

Manny Pacquiao rose to fame via a local boxing television show entitled Blow-By-Blow. Aside from his boxing talent, Pacquiao had an interesting look to him. His short stature, which was odd for a boxer, caught the attention of many. Little did they know they were bearing witness to one of the greatest of all time.

Pacquaio won his first title in 1998. After losing the title a year later, he jumped weight divisions to the super bantamweight. He won his second-ever title against Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, a strong South African boxer. This was in 2001 and a sign of things to come. Pacquiao went on to hold titles in 6 different divisions including flyweight, super bantamweight, featherweight, super featherweight, lightweight and light welterweight. Pacquiao wasn’t done there. He made history in 2010 as the first boxer to ever win 8 world titles in 8 weight divisions (his last 2 coming in the welterweight and light middleweight divisions).

Future Of Philippines Boxing

The “Pacquaio Wave,” as it has been coined, is the post-Pacquiao era where new young boxers said to be inspired by their fellow countryman are moving up the ranks. Nonito Donaire a rising star and the second Asian to win 4 titles in 4 weight categories. Donnie Nietes, another reputable Filipino boxer, became the third Filipino boxer to win 3 titles in 3 divisions. These fighters may not be on Pacquiao’s level yet, but they seem to be a resurgence of the sport in the Philippines.