Our resident boxing expert Rob Tebbutt provides his best bets for this weekend’s heavyweight world title bout whilst an array of fighters, trainers and promoters provide their pre-fight predictions.
Oleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois Tips
Oleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois Industry Predictions
Oleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois Bet Boosts >>
Oleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois Tips
Coming up this weekend from Wroclaw, Poland, we see the return of Ukrainian superstar, the unified heavyweight world champion, Oleksandr Usyk (1/10) as he defends his WBO, WBA and IBF straps against WBA mandatory challenger, and 6/1 outsider, Daniel Dubois.
It's a fight in which Usyk is rightfully the heavy favourite - he is one of the sport's pound-for-pound stars, although his achievements have maybe been surpassed, in certain peoples eyes in the last few weeks, by Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue.
I am sure that Usyk will be looking to produce another sparkling performance on Saturday night in front of his adorning Ukrainian fans, many of which will be making the short trip across the border and into Poland.
But where can the betting value be found this weekend?
Well, it's difficult to look beyond Usyk, the slick southpaw skills, the great stamina, great footwork and great head movement, I think, will be too much for Daniel Dubois.
I expect the British fighter to come out and let his hands go early. He is young, he carries power in both hands and I feel he will look to put an imprint on Usyk in those early rounds.
I don't believe that is going to work however, and I will be backing the Ukrainian to weather that early storm, take control of the fight and then pick off Dubois during the second half of the fight - 'Between Rounds 7 - 12', which you can get 21/10 on.
Many are expecting Dubois to hear that final bell however, and if you are one of those, and feel that he will stick around for the full 12 rounds, then the 5/2 on offer for Usyk to win on points may well appeal to you!
But if you are feeling that British spirit this weekend and wanting to back Daniel Dubois in his quest to become a unified world champion, then I would look at him early in the fight - particularly between 'Rounds 1 - 4' where he will be at his best, his most powerful and his freshest.
You can get a MASSIVE 28/1 on the Londoner winning the fight by 'KO, TKO or Disqualification' and shaking the world by winning this fight in the first four rounds.
Tebbutt's Tip:
For me, as I have said, I will be betting on Oleksandr Usyk to retain his three world titles in Poland this weekend.
I just fancy him to pick Dubois off during the second half of the fight and getting that stoppage somewhere between rounds 9 and 10. Dubois' approach of likely going in there and letting his hands go will work against him in my opinion, so I will be on the 21/10 for Usyk to extend his unbeaten record during the second half of the fight.
Oleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois Industry Picks
Oleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois Bet Boosts >>
Bet Builder:
Fight Outcome: Oleksandr Usyk ‘By KO, TKO or Disqualification’
Under 4.5 Rounds
Was 10/3 >> Now 7/2
Bet Builder:
Fight Outcome: Daniel Dubois ‘By KO, TKO or Disqualification’
Over 5.5 Rounds
Was 16/1 >> Now 18/1
Bet Builder:
Oleksandr Usyk to score ‘1 or More Knockdowns’
Daniel Dubois to score ‘1 or More Knockdowns’
Was 6/1 >> Now 7/1
Odds and Bet Boosts >> displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation or withdrawal.
