Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk: Prediction, Tips & Odds

Our resident boxing expert Rob Tebbutt shares his tips for Saturday night's colossal undisputed heavyweight championship showdown between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia.

Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk Tips

Oleksandr Usyk - By Decision or Technical Decision @ 15/8
Fight to go the distance @ 4/9
Method of Victory - Majority Decision @ 9/1
Method of Victory - Split Decision @ 9/2

This is the fight we have long been waiting for; Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk in what will be the first undisputed heavyweight title showdown in 25 years!

Yes, Fury will enjoy the significant size advantage against an opponent who, whilst filling out into a heavyweight frame over the past couple of years, is a natural cruiserweight.

But Usyk is absolutely no stranger to going into a fight with a size and reach disadvantage, and as he put it earlier this week, 'if size was all that matters then the elephant would be the king of the jungle'!

He had those two fights with Anthony Joshua where he was hugely out-sized and out-weighed, but still managed to win each of those in conclusive fashion, whilst it was more of the same in his last outing with Daniel Dubois, where he was by far the smaller man.

Fury on the other hand was put down by Francis Ngannou back in October in one of the most shocking moments in heavyweight boxing history, but as we all know, the WBC title-holder tends to reserve his biggest performances for his biggest nights, and they don't get any bigger than this!

Look this is a genuine 50/50 matchup - the bookmakers are struggling to split the two fighters, but, for me, I am just edging towards Usyk coming out on top and holding aloft all of the heavyweight marbles in the early hours of Sunday morning.

I just feel that recent form is going to come into this, and in Fury's case, we haven't seen that stellar performance from him since the second fight of his trilogy with Dentay Wilder over four years ago.

Usyk on the other hand produced two masterclasses to see off Joshua before stopping Dubois in impressive fashion, despite some, not me, feeling there was a bit of controversy surrounding that low-blow in the fifth round.

Given the importance of this fight, and the technical elements that both fighters possess, I am anticipating the bout going the full 12 round distance, so the relatively short-odds play of 4/9 to hear the final bell carries appeal.

I also like the look of the split-decision and majority decision props on offer, priced up at 9/2 and 9/1, given how close I, and many others, are anticipating this fight being.

But in terms of a winner, as I have said, I do have to lean towards Usyk by Decision or Technical Decision at 15/8, but there really is no incorrect play this weekend because it's a real pick'em fight.

I just fancy the Ukrainian's recent form and his high-level pedigree to just about pull him over the winning line to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk Bet Boosts

Bet Builder
Fight Result: Tyson Fury
Tyson Fury to score 1 or More knockdowns
Over 6.5 Rounds
Was 4/1 >> Now 9/2

Bet Builder
Oleksandr Usyk by Unanimous Decision
Oleksandr Usyk: Most Punches Thrown
Oleksandr Usyk: Most Punches Landed
Was 7/2 >> Now 4/1

Bet Builder
Fight Result: Oleksandr Usyk
2 or More Total Fight Knockdowns
Was 8/1 >> Now 9/1

All odds and Bet Boosts were correct and available at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal and fluctuation.