Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2: Picks, Predictions and Odds

Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury meet for the second time in just over six months on Saturday night in what should be another enthralling heavyweight world title fight at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Usyk won the first fight via split decision, with two judges scoring in his favor and one handing Fury the win.

It was an intense battle from start to finish as Fury set the early pace but Usyk raised his levels in the middle rounds and a brutal attack in the ninth nearly finished the fight off, with Fury using the ropes to keep himself upright after a flurry of unanswered punches in an incident that was ruled as a knockdown.

Usyk has a chance to back up the biggest win of his career and leave no room for doubt after their close first meeting.

Fury lost his unbeaten record in the first bout as well as his titles, and if he can avenge that loss he will join an elite group of fighters who have been three-time heavyweight world champions.

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 betting picks and predictions

Oleksandr Usyk to win (-138)

After victory in the first bout, Usyk comes into the rematch as a slight favorite and the pressure is on Fury to turn the tables.

Prior to the first meeting, many observers felt Fury’s sheer size, combined with his incredible movement for a towering fighter, might be too much for the former undisputed king of the cruiserweight division.

In the opening few rounds, those fears looked justified. Fury was able to keep Usyk at bay with his jab and he was picking off the Ukrainian with combinations in a manner no fighter had previously managed against the skillful southpaw.

However, Usyk is a master tactician and as the fight progressed he was the one controlling the distance as his movement, accuracy and counter punching caused Fury all kinds of problems - culminating in that ninth round blitz that very nearly finished the Gypsy King off.

Fury is too intelligent and too experienced not to change things up when the pair resume their rivalry. As the smaller fighter, Usyk has to react to what the challenger does but over the course of his career he has proven time and time again that he is up to any challenge and it is hard to see what adjustments Fury can make to get a win over the line.

The Briton’s best chance is probably to go for a knockout, but Usyk is a master counter-puncher with an unrivaled ability to set traps. If Fury tries to outbox him for the full 12 rounds, Usyk will surely find a way in and his incredible stamina means he will almost certainly be the man in the ascendancy going into the later rounds - and more often than not the fighter who is stronger through those ‘championship rounds’ is the one who sees his hand raised at the end.

Oleksandr Usyk to win by KO, TKO or DQ (+300)

The defeat to Usyk was the first loss on Fury’s record and he has never been stopped - but he has been dropped eight times.

Usyk now knows what he’s up against and should be able to carve out his chances earlier than he did in the first meeting. Fury may also try to be a bit more assertive and aggressive himself, leaving himself open to Usyk’s lightning counters.

If the fight does take place at a higher tempo that could work in Usyk’s favor and he could go on to record a KO or TKO win that would firmly cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats.

Tyson Fury to score a knockdown (+175)

If you are planning to back Fury, the better play could simply be backing the Briton to record a knockdown as that covers the possibility that he does send Usyk to the canvas but is still unable to get the win.

Fury is the more powerful of the two fighters and he’s knocked down far bigger men than the current champion. He also showed he can land on Usyk with telling shots in the early exchanges last time so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him record a knockdown.

Usyk has never been put in the position of having to claw himself off the canvas to win but he looks capable of pulling that off if required, and the 37-year-old is +900 to be knocked down and win.

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 odds

	Oleksandr Usyk	Tyson Fury
Money Line	-138	+110
By KO, TKO, DQ	+300	+300
By Decision or Technical Decision	+187	+350

Read Usuk vs. Fury 2 Tale of the Tape on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.