In case you haven’t guessed, we are big fans of boxing around these parts. Not only do we consider it the ultimate test of a man’s physical prowess, but it’s also a ton of fun. Since returning from Australia earlier this year, we’ve been busy making our way around the world of boxing and trying out all its facets. From the sweet science of fighting to the culture surrounding it, we’ve tried to piece together exactly what this crazy sport is all about.
While most people probably know that boxing is simply the sport of taking a boxing punch, the origins and meaning of the acronym “O.V.” are a little different. Standing for “Overweight,” “Volume,” and “Volume-Maximizing,” this abbreviation was created by a Las Vegas sportsbook to describe a type of bet they’d never seen before. As it turns out, boxing fans and enthusiasts had been making this type of bet for years, but most sportsbooks hadn’t taken it seriously until now. Thanks to the emergence of online sportsbooks and the legalization of online gambling in the United States, this type of bet has become all the rage. It’s also allowed people to get in on the action they’d never had the opportunity to before. Let’s explore what this type of bet is and how you can make the most of it.
How Does It Work?
You might be wondering how something that started as a gimmick turned into an actual betting trend. In a nutshell, it comes down to the rise of the “choosy bum” and the “quantity-over-quality” consumer. Thanks to the proliferation of online sportsbooks and the ability to place bets from almost anywhere, people have realized that they can get exactly what they want when they want it. The days of having to settle for what was offered at a particular establishment are gone. Nowadays, you can tailor your betting options to fit perfectly with your style and your budget. It’s made all the difference.
The proliferation of online sportsbooks, mobile apps, and VPNs has also made it easier for recreational and amateur boxers to get in on the action. Thanks to the boom in eSports as well, which is basically fighting video games, there’s a wealth of competition for those who want to try their hand at the sweet science of boxing. All of this makes for a truly global experience when it comes to betting on boxing. It used to be that the only options were to go to an arena or to be in a stadium, sitting on the edge of your seat, hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. Nowadays, you can choose your own location, time, and pace. You might even tune into a livestream so you can follow the action live.
The Rise Of The Choosy Bum
The rise of the “choosy bum” is a phenomenon that started in the 2010s, but it really took off in the mid-2020s. Evidently, there’s something about the current landscape that enables people to be more selective about the sorts of things they want and need. For example, take a look at some of the most popular clothing brands on TikTok.
- Aldo
- Dior
- Jack & Co.
- Mountain Equipment
- Uniqlo
Nowadays, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t know what a “bumpkin” is. The term was first used in regards to the heavy English breakfast biscuits that were a popular choice among the early settlers of North America. Today, though, it refers to anyone who is picky about the things they eat or drink. You might be familiar with the expression “foodie” or “gourmet” for those who enjoy a wide variety of food,” but when it comes to fashion, people are increasingly opting for a more selective group of labels they feel most comfortable with.
The world of boxing has always been about having as much fun as possible while also staying true to its roots. Back in the day, men would come together in barns and garages to put on exhibitions that sometimes lasted for hours. These days, it’s mostly done online, but the fundamentals don’t change. People still get up in the morning, put on their boxing gloves, and go at it for as long as they can. It’s a sport that was developed to be as fast-paced and exciting as possible. While the rules have changed, the need for raw energy and courage still exist.
The Quantity-Over-Quality Phenomenon
The other side of the coin is what we’re going to call the “quantity-over-quality” phenomenon. It’s all about having as much fun as possible without needing to settle for less than you want. Thanks to the ability to comparison shop online and the rise of the “sharing economy,” consumers have gotten much savvier about what they need and want, particularly when it comes to spending money. It used to be that if you weren’t getting exactly what you wanted, you’d simply go somewhere else. Not anymore. Thanks to the rise of the “sharing economy,” people are much more likely to try out something new if it means they can get exactly what they want without having to spend more than expected.
This trend is also starting to bleed over into other areas of life, such as travel. If you’ve been to Portugal lately, you might have noticed that everything is more expensive. The quality isn’t necessarily bad, it’s just that the country has been overwhelmed by tourists and is trying to keep up with demand, leading to an increase in prices. It’s the same with hotels. People have figured out that if they want to get something extraordinary, they need to pay for it.
Tourism is one of the biggest industries in Portugal, supporting over 170,000 jobs. It also pays for itself, contributing €11 billion to the country’s GDP. If you want to get something extraordinary, it might be better to spend a bit more money and get exactly what you want.
Why Is This Type Of Bet Specifically Trending Now?
It’s probably a safe bet to assume that a lot of the credit for this trend goes to the US Supreme Court, which ruled in June 2020 that states can’t outlaw sports betting. As it turns out, the court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, also known as PASPA. What this means is that from now on, every single state in the country will have legal access to sports betting, making it possible for people in every region to get in on the action.
It’s worth noting here that PASPA was passed back in 2018 with overwhelming bipartisan support. The primary purpose of this bill was to stop illegal sports betting, but it was also meant to be a blow against the growing prevalence of online sportsbooks and the wagering associated with them. PASPA provided a mechanism for states to charge offshore sportsbooks a tax on every single wager placed. Thanks to the SCOTUS ruling, this is no longer the case. Taxing online sportsbooks isn’t allowed now, which is obviously a good thing for everyone.
PASPA was passed way back in 2018, but it took the US Supreme Court till June 2020 to actually rule on the matter. It’s been a long time coming, but finally, states can look forward to having their own sportsbooks and being able to legalize sports betting.
It’s important to keep in mind that PASPA wasn’t the first, nor will it be the last law to impact sports betting, particularly in light of the fact that it took the Supreme Court to figure out what the original intent of PASPA was. Back in 2015, another case regarding sports betting, known as the New Hampshire case, was argued before the court. It too centered around PASPA and the taxation of online sportsbooks. The case was ultimately decided in favor of the 10s of thousands of online sportsbooks who had to shut down due to lack of compliance with regulations. As you can imagine, lots of legal battles lie ahead as the industry scrambles to figure out how to operate within the confines of legality. It’s a messy process, but at least now, the ball is in motion.
It’s also important to remember that just because something is legal, it doesn’t mean that it’s automatically good or acceptable. Take pornography, for example. Back in the day, it used to be that pornography was considered “art” and was exhibited in galleries and museums. These days, it’s all over the place, be it online or offline. We need to be careful about what we’re being fed, whether it’s legal or illegal, especially when it comes to titillation.