Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will fly back to the Saudi Arabian capital to renew their rivalry on December 21st, with the WBA, WBO & WBC heavyweight straps at stake.
The duo had met for the first time seven months ago, when Usyk picked up a historic win to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years. The Ukrainian will now aim to replicate his success against the ‘Gypsy King’, who will be seeking redemption. Here is our Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 prediction ahead of the mega fight.
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 prediction: Tale of the tape
Fury will be licking his wounds coming into this fight. The Manchester boxer suffered the first loss in his 36-bout career the last time he entered the ring, which was against the same opposition, at the same venue.
The former unified champion still has a remarkable 34-1-1 record. Before losing to Usyk, sharing the spoils with Deontay Wilder in 2018 was the only time he failed to win a fight.
He will be returning to the Kingdom Arena for a third successive fight. Fury outpointed Francis Ngannou to defend his WBC heavyweight belt in his first fight at the 26,000-seater arena. But, he lost his crown against Usyk in the next fight.
Usyk will be heading to the state-of-the-art venue, hoping to replicate his success against Fury at the same location. ‘The Cat’ has put together a 22-fight winning streak and immortalised himself in history books, but he is unlikely to have any lack of motivation heading into this fight.
The Ukrainian has willingly relinquished the IBF belt, so he is no longer the undisputed heavyweight champion anymore. However, he has little reason to lack confidence ahead of this iconic rematch, having defeated several marquee fighters throughout his career.
Fight odds and win probability
Here are the current Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 odds:
- Tyson Fury: (6/5) 2.20 – Implied probability 45.4%
- Oleksandr Usyk: (4/5) 1.80 – Implied probability 55.6%
- Draw: (14/1) 15.00 – Implied probability 6.7%
*Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 betting odds from Boylesports, subject to change.
Keys to victory
Fury and Usyk battled until the very end in their first fight, and we anticipate another lengthy showdown. Both fighters will return to the ring for the first time since their last encounter, so Usyk’s confidence is sure to be soaring. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the path to a revenge win is blocked for Fury.
Tyson Fury: Power punching can make the difference
Fury is a towering phenomenon who has significant physical advantages over his opponent. He couldn’t make the most of it in the previous fight, but the orthodox fighter will hope to rattle his opponent with some solid early strikes.
He was outpunched by Usyk back in May, so Fury cannot afford the Ukrainian to land so many shots again. Countering his swift movement will be a big challenge for Fury, but if he can improve his defence and punching precision, a resounding win could be possible.
Oleksandr Usyk: Keep the opponent on his toes
Usyk proved to be a menace for Fury when the two last met. As pundits expected, he utilised his agility to get the better of the British boxing veteran. His lightning fast reflexes and footwork ultimately drew the line between the two fighters.
Usyk should be relying on the same tactics once again. He is a year older than Fury, but his lively presence inside the ring makes it almost impossible to tell.
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2: Key stats
- Usyk enters the ring with an undefeated record of 22 wins, 0 losses, and 0 draws, including 14 knockouts. Fury, on the other hand, boasts a record of 34 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw, with 24 knockouts. Fury holds a slight edge in knockout power, with a 71% knockout rate compared to Usyk's 64%.
- Usyk is the less experienced of the two, with 14 fewer professional fights and a debut in 2013—almost five years after Fury, who started his career in 2008. Usyk has also fought 53 fewer rounds, with a total of 189 compared to Fury's 242.
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 hot tip: Usyk to win by decision
Fury will hope to get his revenge with some furious punches, but it seems unlikely that sheer raw power will be enough to decide this fight. Usyk gets the edge because of his incredible footwork and reflexes, so we believe he can secure another win by decision against Fury.
Last time out: Jones vs Habazin.
Bren is our resident Kiwi, and has been playing or watching sports down under in New Zealand for the better part of three decades. With 12+ years experience as a professional writer, Bren loves to dive deep into all things sport to bring the best betting analysis and predictions here at Mr Fixits Tips.
