Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2: Prediction, Tips & Odds

bet365's boxing insider Rob Tebbutt looks ahead to the blockbuster rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and underlines where he feels the betting value lies.

Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2 Tips

Usyk to Win By Decision/Technical Decision @ 15/8
Usyk to Win/Fight to Go Over 8.5 Rounds @ 13/10
Either Fighter to Win By Split Decision @ 9/2
Either Fighter to Win By Majority Decision @ 9/1

Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury reignite their rivalry in a highly-anticipated rematch for the WBC/WBA & WBO heavyweight titles.

Following a mini-classic first time around in May, both Usyk (8/11) and Fury (11/10) enter this weekend’s Riyadh Season showpiece event fully confident of walking away with sport’s most coveted prize.  

The first bout saw many shifts in momentum, with Usyk ultimately doing enough in the second half of the fight - including a ninth round knockdown - to overcome Fury by one single point in a split decision win.  

I am expecting a similarly nip-and-tuck fight second time around, with Fury having his moments from range and utilising his size and reach advantage against the smaller man in Usyk.

However, as seen from the first fight, Usyk’s punch output and stamina in the second half of the fight are where he’ll look to press home his advantage.

Fury has made no secret of his bad habits outside of the ring in the past, and he seemed to struggle with the pace of the fight after the halfway stage back in May.

Usyk came mightily close to scoring the stoppage victory first time around, with Fury being held up by the ropes in a dominant ninth round for the Ukrainian.

A bet of 3/1 on Usyk to Win By KO/TKO could be worth a look should the effects of the first fight have impacted on Fury’s punch resistance.  

Fury has spoken about how easily he felt Usyk was to hit in the first fight and, indeed, ‘The Gypsy King’ was as short as 1/20 To Win in-play during a dominant middle period of the fight. It is perhaps those rounds that have him priced as short at 11/10 to get revenge for a loss that, other than that period, he was soundly second best in.

Nevertheless, there were moments for Fury to take confidence from and he has roundly predicted a KO win on Saturday night, priced at the same as an Usyk KO/TKO at 3/1.  

However, I see this fight as another that will head to the judges scorecards, with Usyk doing enough over the 12 rounds to see him retain his heavyweight titles by Decision/Technical Decision at 15/8.  

It could very well be close and, with Fury getting one of the scorecards last time around, it could be worth looking at the Exact Method props for Split Decision and Majority Decision wins.

Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2 Odds

(Odds will display when markets are available).