Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2 Odds: Gypsy King 11/8 to avenge defeat after triggering rematch clause

Tyson Fury has officially triggered his rematch clause for a second showdown with Oleksandr Usyk later this year and we've priced the Gypsy King up at 11/8 to become a three-time heavyweight world champion.

Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2 Odds

Fury made no secret of the fact that he would likely activate the clause in the immediate aftermath of his split-decision defeat at the hands of the Ukrainian on Saturday night, and promoter Frank Warren has confirmed that his fighter has stuck to his word.

The Morecambe man was the narrow pre-fight favourite ahead of the Saudi showdown, and despite dominating the early to mid-rounds, the 35-year-old was ultimately put to the sword by the tenacious and tactically astute, Usyk.

The Ukrainian, who is now the first undisputed heavyweight champion in almost a quarter of a century, took over the contest from the eighth round onwards and even forced a standing count in the ninth stanza, as he sought what was perceived to be an unlikely stoppage success.

Fury showed courage and heart to soldier on, but it was to no avail as two of the three judges scored the bout in the favour of Usyk to establish the former cruiserweight king as the first ever four-belt ruler of the blue-riband division.

“He’s (Tyson Fury) back here and he’s recuperating and his mood is that he wants the rematch," Warren told talkSport on Tuesday. "That is already signed and agreed, so that will happen next."

Usyk, understandably, has been installed as the odds-on 4/7 favourite to retain his titles in a likely 12th October rematch, although it's now almost certain that only three of his belts will be on the line come the Autumn.

The IBF - one of the four official governing bodies - have confirmed that the Ukrainian will be forced to vacate his strap in order for Filip Hrgovic, the mandatory challenger for the title, to take on Daniel Dubois in a world title showdown on Saturday 1st June.

It means that Usyk's undisputed reign will last just a matter of weeks, as well as denying Fury a second opportunity of becoming the first British fighter since Lennox Lewis, in 1999, to fully unify the division.

Mark Mothershaw

• Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2
• Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk
• • 
  •