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
George Groves World super-middleweight champion: “I don’t think it’s a different outcome. I think Usyk beats him again. If I’m Fury, I’ve got to do something different. He needs to take the centre of the ring and drive his man back, be strong in his stance, and throw big, long, hard, straight shots.
“I’m not a huge fan of showboating, but if he lands something significant, celebrate it. That gets a reaction from Usyk, the crowd, and the judges. But celebrate when you’ve done something meaningful—not when you’re under fire or just making him miss. Celebrate when you hit him with something.
“If Fury fights like that, it becomes a much tougher challenge for Usyk, and we’ll see how Usyk adjusts. But based on the first fight, the wear and tear and mileage on both fighters, and where they are in their careers, Usyk is still the fresher fighter.
“Usyk nearly stopped him in the first fight. He’s not the type to think, “I almost had him last time; one big shot will finish it.” He knows it’s going to be a tough fight, as it always is for him. Usyk leaves no stone unturned, and I think it’s a clearer win for Usyk this time.”
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.”
Anish Parekh BBN Writer: “I think Usyk has Tyson’s number.
“It could be another close contest in the early rounds with Fury fighting at his optimum level to possibly be ahead, but the memories of him bouncing from rope to rope could give Fury a mental glitch which causes a moment of hesitation that is all Usyk needs to capitalise on and ruthlessly finish the job.
“A combination of Fury’s diminishing punch resistance and Usyk’s indomitable will means that we have a repeat result but a more emphatic and dramatic conclusion.
“Usyk by KO in the 9th.”
Sam Condy BBN Writer: “This should be an intriguing fight. I am interested to see the changes Fury will make from their previous clash. I predict he will come out fast and strong, looking to put pressure on Usyk and hunt for a stoppage, much like the first Wilder rematch.
“However, Usyk is such a clever and dynamic fighter. One of the most versatile heavyweights of the 21st century.
“He’s fast and slippery. He also has some underrated power, which gave Fury bother in their first meeting.
“You can never count Fury out, but I think Usyk has too many tools in his toolbox for the Brit, and will once again leave with a close but fair decision win.”
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.”
Amir Khan Unified super-lightweight champion: “I have Tyson Fury winning this time. He’s the bigger guy so he will use his size, reach and be a lot more smarter going into this fight. It’s not going to be easy because with Usyk having the win and the knockdown in the first fight, I’m sure he’s going to be going in with a lot of confidence because he knows Fury can get hurt.
“But I feel Fury will up his game as he always does and when pressure is on him, we will see the best Tyson Fury. I see Fury winning in December.
“One thing Tyson Fury can’t really do is walk Usyk down because he will hit you with those counter shots, that is what he is really good at whereas Wilder didn’t really have those counter shots. One thing about Usyk is, he is a really good boxer, he hits angles well and his footwork is amazing.
“For a heavyweight to have the footwork he has and the movement that he has, Usyk is still going to be a problem for Fury. But if Tyson sticks behind his jab and keeps moving, because Fury also has good footwork, he has to keep the angles and keep Usyk out of range because he is a good inside fighter. He doesn’t want to get too close, Fury’s power won’t work on the inside as much as it will long-range or mid-range.”
Abel Sanchez World champion boxing trainer: “The pressure is on Fury, he is the one that can and should make the adjustments, Usyk will be the same, Usyk’s style and game plan is more of the same, Fury has the ability to be a chameleon and needs to be focused for the complete round and the duration of the fight, Fury wins a decision if he stays focused.”
Matt Marsh British super-bantamweight champion: “I personally think the second fight will be better than the first. They know each other now, I think Tyson will go out for the stoppage; if Usyk is fit enough, which he should be, I think he tries to move in different angles.
“I think Tyson will go out and, if he doesn’t stop Usyk within round 5 or 6, I think Usyk wins on points again, but my gut feeling is telling me that Tyson is going all out for this one.”
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. Usyk landed that long left hook all fight long, he couldn’t miss. That will be the danger punch 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. That said, he is susceptible to a body shot.
“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.”
Burim Sylejmani Fides Sports Promotion: “This fight is one of the best fights ever seen in the heavyweight division.
“Fury is under pressure and has to win. Usyk won the first fight comfortably. Usyk is the best boxer of all-time, in terms of technique. An architect.
“The pressure is on Fury. I think if Fury prepares well and changes his strategy, he could win this fight. No matter how it ends, there will definitely be a third encounter.”
Harrison Baskind BBN Writer: “The narrative that Usyk won the first fight comfortably I find baffling. The fight was incredibly close up until that 9th round.
“Usyk quite rightly will enter as favourite, however I have a feeling the Gypsy King is going to pull out a special performance. Don’t forget he looked comfortable in the first fight for a lot of the time, if he didn’t spend his time showboating in the early stages he may have won it.
“I think this fight will again go to points and if Fury is on it for the full 12 rounds (which is quite the challenge against the Ukrainian) then I back him to win on points.
“However, I would not be shocked if Usyk takes it to Fury from the opening bell and looks to stop him, having had tremendous success in the closing stages of the first fight.”
Bogdan Musat King Promotion: “In this fight, I think the guy who will loose will retire from boxing, in both cases after an amazing career. Looking at Fury’s background, I think that the Gypsy King learned his lessons and he will make his return in this fight.
“I am going with Fury by TKO with a body shot.”
Scores
50% Tyson Fury
50% 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.
