Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 – Repeat or revenge?
217 days after Oleksandr Usyk made history as this century’s first ever undisputed heavyweight champion, he is set to fight Tyson Fury again on December 21, back in the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, live on DAZN.
The two unbeaten heavyweights clashed on May 21, with the decision being split on the scorecards, with a score of 114-113 each way, but the third judge awarded the win to Usyk at 115-112.
Usyk’s 10-8 score in round nine – when Tyson was held up by the ropes – was pivotal in clinching the result, otherwise the scorecards would have been one for, one against, one draw.
Now, 31 weeks later, “The Gypsy King” and “The Cat” are set to lock horns once again in a festive fight night extravaganza.
BBN asked their panel of experts for their views on the rematch:
For Usyk
Wayne Alexander British, European, World Champion: “I believe this this fight will end in a more convincing win for Usyk, I believe that Tyson Fury is at the very end of his career, his punch resistance and defence is not what it used to be and the trilogy with Deontay Wilder has taken a lot out of him.
“Usyk will probably win this one by a unanimous decision and it wouldn’t surprise me if Tyson suffers his first stoppage defeat.”
Danny “Cassius” Connor Southern Area Champion: “I pick Usyk too stop Fury this time round, I hope I’m wrong but I feel like Tyson’s fights vs Wilder, Ngannou and the previous fight with Usyk may have caught up with him.
“I think Usyk prevails, he’s a real box of tricks and, for me, Tyson has always had a rough time vs the smaller guys, it wouldn’t surprise me if Tyson stopped Usyk either, but I think Usyk retains.”
Jamie Arlain British Challenge Champion: “For me, I would love to see Tyson win it, but I’ve just got to go with Usyk on points, but saying that, it’s heavyweight boxing and one punch can change the whole outcome.
“Nevertheless we are in for another great fight, buzzing for this one!”
Arijan Goricki IBO Featherweight Title Contender: “My prediction is Usyk by UD. I think that Usyk is all wrong for Fury, even Fury said in one interview that he don’t like to fight against small fighters.”
Marshall Kauffman Kings Boxing: “This is a very interesting fight with the first fight being so close and both boxers had the other one hurt at one point during the fight.
“As much as I would like to see Tyson win this fight, which I picked him the first time to win, I think that Usyk will find a way to win this fight, like he did the first time, but it really depends on who makes the necessary changes that need to be made in order to win.
“Usyk is one of the smartest boxers in the game and I think he will make the adjustments that are needed to be victorious.
“Usyk in a 12 round decision victory.”
Lauren Price WBA welterweight world champion: “Fury obviously he’s massive and a great champion, but I can’t go against Usyk. He’s phenomenal, his ring IQ, everything really. Usyk by decision.”
For Fury
Mike Tyson Undisputed & 2x world heavyweight champion: “Usyk is the best heavyweight in the world at the moment. But I’m going for Fury to beat him. Why? Because I’m a fan. Because his father gave him my name. I’m not abandoning him now.”
Tim Rickson BBN Editor: “The last time Tyson didn’t get the win, he came back stronger in the rematch to completely destroy Deontay Wilder in seven rounds. He told everyone he was going for the knockout, but no one believed him, but he absolutely delivered.
“We saw in the first fight that Tyson had Usyk hurt, blinking, and backing up under his thumping blows. Tyson made the mistake not to capitalise by turning up the heat to inflict more damaging shots, but he would have learned from that and won’t make the same mistake again.
“I think he will treat the rematch the same way he treated the Wilder rematch, with utter devastation on his mind. However, he has felt Usyk’s power, which he mistakenly underestimated, and will mindful of getting caught and staggered again. Another factor to consider is that Usyk is so tough and never been down as a professional. He has been stunned in fights before, but always managed to come through with very little struggle.
“If I had to pick, then I would go for Tyson living up to his word and coming back stronger to hurt Usyk, but history tells us he will battle through and still be standing by the final bell. Usyk confessed to being hurt by Fury, so there could be chinks in the armour.
“But Tyson’s improved performance and effective aggression, if all goes to plan and promises, should see him win on points this time in another razor-thin decision.”
Tyler Buxton United Boxing Promotions: “I believe Tyson Fury will make the necessary adjustments, as he always does, and will defeat Usyk this time.”
Sergio Michel Musician & Boxing Super-fan: “The first fight showed us both men at their top form. When they redlined, Usyk was struggling to breathe well and later admitted that Fury really hurt him. Fury, of course, was betrayed by his own theatrics and Usyk got the decision.
“If all things remain equal and the men adjust to their strengths, Fury should crush Usyk like he did in the second Wilder fight. It’s a shame both can’t be champion or still undefeated as both are stellar men and athletes.”
Scores
62.5% Tyson Fury
37.5% Oleksandr Usyk
Oddschecker
6/4 Fury
4/6 Usyk
18/1 Draw
Did You Know? Oleksandr Usyk is one of only three double undisputed champions in history, along with Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue.
