After 25 years of anticipation, boxing will crown an undisputed world heavyweight champion on Saturday evening at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. The highly awaited bout between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk is scheduled for 12 rounds with five versions of the world heavyweight title up for grabs, including Tyson’s WBC strap.
Who will emerge victorious at the end of the fight and be hailed as the number one fighter on the planet and the best of their generation? Both dedicated and casual boxing fans are eagerly anticipating the outcome, and in this article, I provide all the information you need to enjoy the event.
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk outright odds
Betting on Fury vs Usyk has been ongoing for months at the world’s leading online sportsbooks, offering a variety of pre-fight betting odds and markets. You can place your bets at top sportsbooks by creating an account and taking advantage of welcome bonus free bets and similar offers.
Here are the current betting odds available at the time of writing. Please note that sportsbook odds are subject to change, so the prices may differ when you place your bets.
- Tyson Fury to win at 10/11 with Betfred
- Oleksandr Usyk to win at 21/20 with bet365
- Draw at 14/1 with Betfred
Tyson Fury’s previous fights and what to expect
Tyson Fury enters the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a professional boxing record of 34 wins, one draw, and 24 victories by knockout in 35 fights. The current WBC champion made his professional debut in 2008 and has remained undefeated, except for a controversial split decision draw with Deontay Wilder in 2018.
In his most recent fight late last year, Fury scored a split decision points win over Francis Ngannou, the former WBC heavyweight champion, in Ngannou’s professional boxing debut. Despite winning the bout, Fury was knocked down by his opponent, leading many to believe Ngannou deserved the victory.
As we approach the winner-takes-all showdown on Saturday, Fury has a strong track record of defeating his opponents, with his last five fights resulting in victories, including wins over Wilder, Whyte, and Chisora. Will we see the focused and hard-hitting Fury on Saturday?
It’s worth noting that the Fury vs Usyk fight was postponed due to an injury Fury sustained in sparring. It remains to be seen if this injury will affect his performance in the ring.
Oleksandr Usyk’s previous fights and what to expect
Oleksandr Usyk, a pound-for-pound great of the sport, boasts a perfect professional record of 21 wins, including 14 knockout victories. Usyk has dominated the cruiserweight division and aims to achieve similar success in the heavyweight division.
Usyk’s notable wins include victories over Tony Bellew, Derek Chisora, Daniel Dubois, and Anthony Joshua. After defeating Joshua to become the heavyweight champion of the world, Usyk reaffirmed his form with another win over Joshua in a rematch a year later.
Since his victories over Joshua, Usyk has fought only once, securing a ninth-round stoppage win over Dynamite Dubois. Despite facing adversity in the ring, Usyk showcased his resilience and skill to secure the victory.
Fury vs Usyk betting tips and odds
Who will emerge victorious on Saturday and stake their claim as the best heavyweight of their generation? Here are my predictions and betting tips for the fight.
Fury to win – 10/11 (Betfred)
I predict Fury to defeat Usyk in the upcoming fight. With Fury’s size, strength, and experience, I believe he has the upper hand in this matchup. Backing Fury to win is a straightforward bet with a good chance of yielding a profit.
Fury’s advantages in size and weight over Usyk, coupled with his experience in the heavyweight division, make him a formidable opponent. I expect Fury to utilize these advantages and secure the victory.
Fury by KO/TKO – 10/3 (Betfair)
Building on my prediction of Fury winning, I foresee him securing the victory by knockout. Fury’s size and power are likely to overwhelm Usyk, leading to a knockout victory. Betting on Fury to win by KO offers attractive odds and is worth considering.
Fury’s strategy of utilizing his physical advantages and power to wear down Usyk and secure a knockout victory is a likely outcome of this fight.
Usyk to be knocked down – 5/2 (Betfair)
In addition to predicting Fury’s victory, I suggest placing a bet on Usyk being knocked down in the fight. Fury’s power and aggressiveness are likely to result in Usyk hitting the canvas at some point during the bout. Betting on Usyk to be knocked down offers favorable odds and adds another layer of excitement to the fight.
Regardless of the final result, a knockdown by Fury against Usyk will result in a winning bet, showcasing Fury’s power and dominance in the ring.
Where and how to bet on Fury vs Usyk
Here’s how you can place a bet on the Fury vs Usyk fight at bet365:
- Register or log in to your bet365 account.
- Click on boxing and then select Fury vs Usyk.
- Choose the market you want to bet on and click on the odds of your selection.
- Enter your stake in the bet slip, review your bet, and confirm.
- Your bet is now live, and you can see the cash-out amount available.
Who’s the favourite? Gypsy King or The Cat?
Tyson Fury is the long-standing favorite with major sportsbooks to win on Saturday, but the odds are becoming closer, making the fight-winner market more competitive.
Tyson Fury’s mind games before the fight
Fury is known for his mind games and has a history of getting under his opponents’ skin. His entertaining antics at press conferences and interviews, where he alternates between undermining his opponents and acknowledging their strengths, add an extra layer of intrigue to the fight.
How hard is Tyson Fury training for his fight with Oleksandr Usyk?
Fury’s training regimen and physical condition vary from fight to fight, with some bouts showcasing his peak fitness and others revealing a lack of interest. However, for the upcoming fight with Usyk, Fury appears to be in excellent shape, demonstrating his commitment to the sport and his determination to secure a place in boxing history.
Videos of Fury’s training sessions highlight his speed, power, agility, footwork, defense, and overall boxing skills, indicating that he is well-prepared for the fight.
How many belts are on the line for the Fury vs Usyk fight?
Saturday’s fight marks the first unification bout of the five-belt era in professional heavyweight boxing, with the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC, and WBO titles up for grabs.
Who will fight with Usyk if Fury drops out of the fight again?
While it’s unlikely for Fury to withdraw from the fight again, in the event that he does, a contract would be negotiated with contender Filip Hrgovic for Usyk’s next fight. However, given Fury’s current state of preparedness, it’s highly unlikely that he will pull out of the fight.
What did Usyk have to say about YouTube boxers?
Usyk shared his thoughts on the rising trend of YouTubers entering the boxing world, dismissing Jake Paul and referring to KSI as a “blogger.” Usyk’s comments reflect his focus on serious boxing competition rather than celebrity-driven events.
Which fighter has more KOs in their career, Fury or Usyk?
Tyson Fury holds the record for the most knockout wins, with 24 KOs and a knockout average of 71%. Usyk has 14 stoppage wins from 21 fights, with a KO average of 67%.
Fury vs Usyk undercard fights to look out for
The undercard for Saturday’s event at the Kingdom Arena features ten bouts with multiple respected titles on the line. Notable fights include Joe Cordina vs. Anthony Cacace for the IBF and IBO super featherweight titles, as well as Jai Opetaia vs. Mairis Briedis for the vacant IBF world cruiserweight title.
How to watch the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk fight
- Date/Time: Saturday 18th May at 22:30 GMT
- Location: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh
- TV/Streaming: Live on Sky Sports Box Office
About the author
Frank Monkhouse is a former professional boxer turned sports betting writer. With a background in working with leading names in the industry, Frank provides readers with valuable insights and predictions based on statistics and trends.
Follow Frank on Twitter: @FMonkhouse
Commercial content notice: Taking advantage of the bookmaker offers mentioned in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Avoids chasing losses
- Avoids gambling when upset, angry, or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
