Famous British boxers with a penchant for gambling

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Boxing and gambling are the oldest sports on the planet

Competition has fascinated people for a very long time; the simple notion of demonstrating one's mental and physical power is appealing to many.

Boxing has captivated audiences for centuries with its distinctive blend of violence, strategy, and endurance. It's fast-paced, yet there are occasions when you have to wait. It is violent, yet it sticks to fundamental humanity and follows a tight set of laws that boxers must follow at all times. 

There's little doubt watching talented boxers is an impressive sight, and it's no surprise that, as technology has advanced, boxing events have been broadcast on radio, shown on television, and streamed online. 

Boxing has been a fan favourite as sports betting has grown in popularity. Of course, boxing gambling has been practised for decades before the invention of modern technology; nonetheless, it has become more convenient and popular in recent years thanks to the web.

You might be surprised to learn that many renowned people, particularly professional athletes, are avid gamblers and enjoy Mecca online in their down time . Reading on will take you behind the scenes and tell you about famous boxers from the United Kingdom and other nations who like to gamble and spend a lot of time in casinos.

Charlie Duffield and Roulette

It's common knowledge that Duffield had a gambling problem, and roulette was his vehicle of choice.

Coming clean about his gambling habits was a turning point for this boxer who had spent all his savings on roulette and then poker. Duffield is no longer a gambler, but he is a fighter. Battling personal tragedy, the hard nose winner has used his adversity to tame his gambling addiction. 

The White Rhino and Casino Games

Dave Allen, the amicable British boxer, locally known as 'The White Rhino,' is 28 years old and has just wound down his career. He won 18 of his 25 fights, including a memorable big night against former world champion Lucas Brown in front of a sold-out crowd when he sensationally knocked the Australian out cold in the third round.

Allen was a major gambler in addition to being a successful boxer. Gambling and casino games have nearly bankrupted a few people, and Allen was one of them. Allen can add gambling addiction to a slew of emotional disorders, some of which have culminated in an emotional crisis. Allen required assistance to overcome his addiction, and he has received it. The good news is he no longer participates in gaming.

The Link Between Boxers and Gambling

Boxers, by their nature, are fierce competitors who despise loss. They will most likely give anything, including online gaming, their best, just as they would in their chosen sport. 

Boxers enjoy online gaming because of the high amounts of energy the high-intensity graphics give off, which feeds irrational expectations of victory and excessively competitive attitudes. It helps to have a skewed sense of optimism combined with intelligence. All of these characteristics are common in competitive boxers and also gamers.

There is very little information available about the link between gambling and boxing specifically, but plenty of information is available about the connection between gambling and mental health. But we do know the triggers or markers that make boxers susceptible to gambling addiction.

Boxers gamble for various reasons, including the thrill, adrenaline rush and the desire to outwit opponents, bookies, or the dealer or anyone who stands in the way of a win. 

The desire to win plus the adrenaline rush or exhilaration gained from taking risks, such as betting on considerable sums of money to address financial issues, is a strategy some use to forget about troubles or tension and stay in the limelight.

In the journal of gambling issues written by Rockey, Beason & Gilbert (2002), the authors concluded that addiction in sportspeople peaked around the age that individuals would attend university or college - 18-24. While the report may not be wholly relevant to a boxer as peak performance in boxing comes comparatively late (28-35) compared to other competitive sportspeople, it is still a factor worth considering when you look at how many footballers, for example, have gambling problems.

Final word - gambling is frequently considered as a comorbid factor alongside other addictions and disorders like depression, but its prevalence in athletes should not be overlooked on its own.