The time has almost arrived for one of boxing’s greatest all time rematches as Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury get ready to come to blows.
The IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC and WBO Undisputed World Heavyweight titles are at stake at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on Saturday night. And if the pre-fight press conferences are anything to go by it is set to be another classic. Tyson Fury faces Oleksandr Usyk for the second time this year, having swiftly agreed a rematch as the dust was still settling. Usyk won on a split decision in May but the Gypsy King was defiant, crassly claiming the judges had only awarded his opponent the victory because Ukraine is at war.
In reality, Usyk was the better boxer on the night. Should he beat Fury again, he has a indisputable claim to being the better boxer full stop. It was a historic night with the Ukrainian becoming the modern era’s first four-belt heavyweight champion and they will do it all again in an early Christmas present for sports fans.
According to BetMGM Sportsbook, Usyk is the slight favourite at 3/4 odds to win, and Fury at 11/10 odds to win. The odds for a draw are at a remote 15/1. But Record Sport has the rundown from biggest names in boxing on who they think will come out on top. And for many it appears an upset is on the cards…
Tony Bellew: Winner – Usyk
Usyk wins on points. If the judges read the fight properly and judge it properly, I can see it being a unanimous decision. The only way I see it getting close is if we have incompetent judging.
Amir Khan: Winner – Fury
Good fight. I think this time Fury knows what mistakes he made in the first fight. He knows that he can’t stand in front of a strong Usyk, Usyk still has a lot of power and he’s felt Usyk’s power this time, knowing that Usyk has come up a weight and still holds that power. So I think Fury is going to be one step ahead. Whenever Fury comes back in a rematch he is always much better so he could probably stop Usyk toward the later rounds.
Daniel Dubois: Winner – Fury
I’m still backing Fury. I hope our man does it. Usyk is capable. Fury should jump on him and smother him. Fury is a slick boxer too, but it will be a great fight and I’ll be out there calling on to fight the winner.
Eddie Hearn (promoter): Winner – Fury
I’m going to say my heart says Fury but my head says Usyk. I do think Tyson is capable of doing extraordinary things and he will need to beat this generational great. The last time Usyk backed up the much bigger man which I did not think was possible. Fury has to be much more aggressive this time but that might suit the counter punching qualities of Usyk. If I have to choose it would be Usyk on points in a close fight but I’m backing the Brit for a victory.
Lennox Lewis: Winner – Usyk
Fury and Usyk are in the middle of a war. Fury will come back and fight. Usyk will focus on winning rounds. It is what he does – he is a scientist in there. He was with Fury for every second of the first fight, but I do believe the referee was very good [giving a standing eight count in the ninth round]. I think Fury will go after Usyk a little more. Like he did in the second fight against Deontay Wilder.
He was looking to sit down on his shots a little more, as he comes back looking for revenge. Fury can box at a heavier weight and if he comes forward he is a heavyweight menace. If not, Usyk has Fury’s number. But Fury has to step up his game, and I think he can do it…but this is going to be another close fight.
Roy Jones Jr: Winner – Usyk
Usyk has the momentum, but we will find out who Fury really is in this fight. If Usyk fights the wrong fight, and tries to knock Fury out, it could go wrong for him. I like Fury, but it’s hard to go against Usyk, given what he came up with the last time.
Carl Froch: Winner – Usyk
I find it very, very difficult to pick against Usyk. I’d love Tyson Fury to win. But I’ve got a favourite. I don’t want Usyk to win. I want him to lose. I just think Usyk is hard to pick against. I think he is an unbelievably special talent. Does he now go in there and lose to a Tyson Fury in his rematch? I don’t think so. But anything can happen in heavyweight boxing.
‘Dillian Whyte: Winner – Fury
If I was Tyson Fury’s trainer I’d be telling him to go out there and be more aggressive against Usyk. In the same way that he fought Deontay Wilder the second time. So he needs to bring back the aggressor, and be the bully in there. If he does that, Fury can win the second fight.
Joe Calzaghe: Winner – undecided
I think it’s a 50/50 fight and who can implement their game plan the best will win. I’m really looking forward to it and it will be as close as the first fight. I can’t decide.
Ricky Hatton: Winner – Fury
Tyson needs to impose the height, reach, and weight advantages he has but didn’t use in the last fight. He allowed the smaller Usyk to move him around the ring. Tyson should stand his ground, use his weight and reach and take it to Usyk this time. And have just one voice in the corner: SugarHill Steward.