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Tyson Fury will seek to avenge his first professional loss in his life, while fighting Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh for the second time this year.
in May, Usyk defeated the Briton by split decision after coming close to stopping him in the ninth round, the result crowning the Ukrainian as the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years.
However, it also kept him undefeated he had to deal with adversity in the middle rounds to keep that perfect record intact.
Since then, the 37-year-old has vacated the IBF beltmeaning that only three of the four main titles are on the line in this rematch. Still, Fury, 36, will be highly motivated to level the scores.
But as the Saudi showdown approaches and predictions are made, opinions are divided boxing the world.
Bookmakers rate Fury at 27/20 to avenge the only defeat of his career, while Usyk is 17/20 and a draw is 16/1. Buy the fight on DAZN here.
Cruiserweight champion Jai OpetaiaFury’s former sparring partner, trusts the Briton. “I feel like we’re going to see a version of Fury in this fight that we haven’t seen in a long time: a hungry Fury, [who knows he] he can be beaten if he doesn’t play well,” said the Australian.
“So I feel like he’s going to prepare the best he’s prepared in a long time to win this fight. He knew his boxing IQ was better than many fighters he had fought; he relied on it. This one cannot rely on that natural ability. He also has to put in the hard work, and I feel we will see that.”
meanwhile, Derek Chisora – a former opponent of Fury and Usyk – again picks the Ukrainian for the triumph. Chisora, who has lost three times to Fury and once to Usyk, said: “[Usyk] still the same bro. It will be a good fight, we will see a little difference, but you have to understand: Tyson will come a little different, but Usyk will come a little different [as well]. But as the scales have now struck, my money is still on the edge of Usyk.”
In second place, former world champion Joe Cordinawho fought on the Fury-Usyk 1 undercard like Opetai, predicted: “Fury, [rounds eight to 12]stopping. He’ll struggle with Usyk’s work in the first half, and then he’ll just think, ‘I’ve got to start now.’ And weight, size will come into play.”
Another former world champion, Carl Framptonhe echoed that sentiment. He said: “I like Fury. My mind didn’t really waver from start to finish, which is odd in a fight of this magnitude; I’ve been saying Fury since the beginning. I think Fury is in the zone now, he’s serious, he’s ready to fight. Both guys seem very, very confident. Both, I think, know it’s going to be a tough fight.”
Boxing bookmakers make Fury 7/2 win by stoppage.
Heavyweight again, Fabio Wardley and Agit Kabayel differed in their opinions.
Wardley, the reigning British champion, said: “A lot of people I’ve spoken to in the industry are going towards Usyk. [Those predictions are] more based on mentality. I [also] I think he’s more focused on the task at hand, focused on the job and dedicated.”
Kabayel countered: “Fury’s mentality is better [than last time]he is focused, he will win the fight. He’s got long arms, he’s tall and intelligent – he’s got it all. He works with the brain. This fight is very close. He’s really good at boxing, Oleksandr Usyk, but in my heart I think Fury wins the fight on points. I hate predictions, but I will say this.”
Amir Khan similarly backed Fury to correct his mistake from May, with the former world champion saying: “I’m just leaning more towards Tyson in this fight. As we get closer to the fight, I feel that Tyson may be a little thin. We know Fury can fight on the back foot, but we just don’t know what to expect […] Let’s see, I’ll stick with Fury to get the fight, but there could be a few scares.”
But it shows how divisive this rematch is, world champion Lauren Price picked Usyk to double over Fury.
“Fury is obviously huge and a great champion,” she said, “but I can’t go against Usyk. He’s phenomenal – his IQ, everything really… Usyk by decision.”
Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn – who watched “AJ” lose twice to Usyk – said: “I have no idea how to win [Usyk]but Tyson Fury is a very smart fighter. There are smart people in the corner, but also from IQ [perspective] in boxing, he’s up there. Unfortunately, Oleksandr Usyk too.
“So my money, especially when he won the first fight, will always be on Oleksandr Usyk. [But] my heart wants to see Tyson Fury win – not just because he’s British, but because I want to set up the AJ fight. I would like to see him do it, but I see him as an underdog in this fight.”
Usyk vs Fury free betting offers
Saturday’s showdown in Saudi Arabia is the biggest sporting event of the festive season, and to celebrate, talkSPORT BET is offering new customers £60 in free bets.
To take advantage of the offer, open a talkSPORT BET account, opt-in to the promotion and make a minimum deposit of £10. Then, bet £10 or more on Usyk vs Fury.
Should Usyk or Fury win their heavyweight title rematch by KO, TKO or DQ, talkSPORT BET will credit customers with £60 in free bets that can be used in any sport.
Independent vets betting sites for usability, security and responsible gambling tools. You can search free bets here for use in a range of sports. Please read the terms.
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