It’s been 25 years in the making, but on Saturday evening at the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, boxing will crown an undisputed world heavyweight champion. Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk clash in an eagerly anticipated bout scheduled for 12 rounds with the five versions of the world heavyweight title on the line, including Tyson’s WBC strap.
Which warrior will be triumphant at the end of the bout and be recognised as the number one fighter on the planet and the best of his generation? Both dedicated and casual boxing fans can’t wait to find out, and in this article, I provide everything you need to enjoy the show.
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk outright odds
Traders working at the world’s leading online sportsbooks have been betting on Fury vs Usyk for many months and offer a wealth of pre-fight betting odds and markets. You can gamble at the top sportsbooks today by creating an account and securing the welcome bonus free bets and similar bonuses.
Below are the current betting odds available at the time of writing. Please remember sportsbook odds change, and the prices available when you gamble may be different from what’s published here.
Tyson Fury’s previous fights and what to expect
Tyson Fury arrives at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a professional boxing record detailing 34 wins and one draw from 35 fights, with 24 of those victories coming inside the distance. The current WBC champion made his professional debut back in 2008 and has avoided defeat since, with the only slight blot on his copybook being a controversial split decision draw with old rival and former WBC champion Deontay Wilder in 2018.
We last saw Fury in action late last year when scoring a strange split decision points win over Francis Ngannou in the former WBC heavyweight champion’s professional boxing debut. It was a bout 6ft 9inch orthodox boxer Fury was expected to win, and he got the result but was dropped to the canvas by a novice opponent before sneaking through on the scorecards. Many thought Ngannou deserved the victory that evening at the Kingdom Arena, meaning Tyson is out to win, collect all the belts, and silence his critics.
Looking through his five most recent results on approach to Saturday’s winner-takes-all tussle, I see Fury has beaten Ngannou on points after stopping his four previous opponents. He finished Wilder in round seven and then again in round 11 to complete the trilogy. He also felled Dillian Whyte in six and Derek Chisora in ten. Will we see the all-action, hard-hitting, and focused version of Tyson, or will he be the sloppy and lazy fighter we saw against Ngannou last year?
It’s worth noting Fury vs Usyk was postponed after the Englishman suffered a cut in sparring. Could that injury cause him problems on his return to action? It’ll be interesting to see if the Brit goes on the attack early, aiming to finish things before Usyk causes damage and risks re-opening what was reported to be a nasty gash.
Oleksandr Usyk’s previous fights and what to expect
Oleksandr Usyk will duck between the ropes in Saudi Arabia on fight night before the eyes of the watching world. The 37-year-old from Ukraine is a pound-for-pound great of the sport and a living legend who has the potential to go down in history as one of the greatest fighters ever to compete in the higher divisions. He could join the sport’s most exclusive club by becoming an undisputed cruiserweight champion before moving up to win the undisputed title in the heavyweight division.
Usyk boasts a perfect professional record as a boxer, with his CV detailing 21 wins from as many fights with 14 knockout victories. He dominated at cruiserweight and is potentially one match away from dominating at heavyweight. Based in Oxnard, California, Usyk already boasts important and impressive wins over famous British fighters, including Tony Bellew, Derek Chisora, Daniel Dubois, and, of course, Anthony Joshua.
Usyk became the heavyweight champion of the world when beating AJ on points at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer of 2021. He franked that form with another 12-round decision over the Londoner at the Jeddah Superdome a year later, taking Joshua’s hard-earned titles and sending the Watford power-puncher back to the drawing board. Is Oleksandr about to add another British name to his hit list?
Since defeating Joshua in London and Jeddah, Usyk has fought only once, a ninth-round stoppage win over the London fighter with freakish power, Dynamite Dubois, in Poland. Usyk hit the canvas hard that evening, but Triple D’s punch was ruled a low blow, and no knockdown was counted. The champion was given time to recover, and he responded well to force a stoppage under heavy pressure to delight his army of fans.
Fury vs Usyk betting tips and odds
Who will win on Saturday and etch their name into the history books as the best heavyweight of their generation? I have studied the stats, analysed the current betting odds, mulled over the promotions, and published my predictions.
There are many exciting markets and bonuses available on Usyk vs Fury, but I have narrowed my picks down to three, detailing them below. I went for a good mix of favourites and value to ensure something for everyone, including those looking to mark the occasion with a bet at decent odds.
Fury to win – 10/11 (Betfred)
I start with the most important tip of the night and of the season so far, backing Tyson Fury to defeat Oleksandr Usyk. The fight-winner market is the simplest to follow and gives boxing fans a great chance to bank a profit. Simply choose the fighter you think will win and add your stake. If the bout goes the way you expect, you’ll land a profit.
I can’t see past the size, strength, and experience of Fury. The Brit boasts a jaw-dropping six-inch height advantage and a seven-inch reach advantage over the man starting in the opposite corner. He’s also a natural heavyweight, having spent his career in the top division and taking on the best while Usyk progressed from the category below. Fury weighed 277 lbs in his last outing, while Usyk weighed 221 lbs.
Usyk is a fantastic boxer with an amazing ring IQ, but weight categories exist in this sport for a reason, and a good big guy will always beat a good little guy. Take Tyson to utilise his advantages and win the bout.
🥊 Bet on Fury to win at 10/11 with Betfred 🥊
Fury by KO/TKO – 10/3 (Betfair)
Sticking with my prediction on Fury to beat Usyk, I move onto the method of victory market in search of better odds. When playing the method of victory, you must predict the winning fighter and how they’ll achieve victory: on points or by knockout. I’m siding with Fury by KO, and odds that are good enough to back as a single and help brighten up your weekend.
We’ve already touched on Tyson’s size advantage, but I think his weight will also play a part. I predict the Gypsy King will jab and grab, hitting the smaller man from range before smothering him on the inside. After a few rounds of a huge Fury leaning on Usyk and sapping the power from his legs, Usyk will quickly become a less mobile target, and that’s when Tyson will bring his punch power and angles into play.
🥊 Fury to win by KO/TKO at 10/3 with Betfair 🥊
Usyk to be knocked down – 5/2 (Betfair)
Despite the risk of placing all my eggs in one basket, I’ll also cover Usyk to be knocked down in the fight. I believe Tyson has the power to drop his opponent, but I’d be surprised to see Oleksandr send his fellow champion to the canvas despite rocking AJ in London.
With this market, we don’t need Fury to score a knockout, just a knockdown. If Usyk touches the canvas at any stage of the fight and the referee counts it, your bet will be a winner. The final result isn’t important here, and it doesn’t matter when Usyk goes down or how long he’s on the canvas before getting up. A flash knockdown in the first or a late surge in the last, it’s all the same for this bet, and Fury’s power means you’ll get a run for your money.
🥊 Bet on Usyk to be knocked down at 5/2 with Betfair 🥊
Where and how to bet on Fury vs Usyk
Here’s how to place a bet on Fury vs Usyk at bet365.
- Register or log in to your bet365 account.
- Click boxing and then Fury vs Usyk.
- Find the market you’re after and click the odds of your selection.
- Visit the bet slip, enter a stake, check, and confirm.
- Your bet is now live, and a cash-out amount will appear.
Who’s the favourite? Gypsy King or The Cat?
Tyson Fury is the long-term betting favourite with all major sportsbooks to win on Saturday, but I have noticed the odds are getting closer and the fight-winner market more competitive.
Tyson Fury’s mind games before the fight
Fury is the master of mind games, and he has shown his ability to get under the skin of opponents in the past, including Klitschko, before dethroning the long-reigning champion.
Tyson has been as entertaining as ever at press conferences and in interviews. The Englishman has been a bag of mixed emotions, slating Usyk and undermining his achievements before complimenting him and admitting his strengths. Fury claimed a man who wears an earring has no chance of beating him, albeit with a huge grin.
How hard is Tyson Fury training for his fight with Oleksandr Usyk?
Experienced boxing fans know they can take nothing for granted when Fury’s involved, as we’ve seen in tremendous shape for some bouts but lacking interest in others, including fights against John McDermott and Derek Chisora.
How will Fury turn up against Usyk? The proof is in the pudding and Fury looks in tremendous shape, transforming his body from the fleshy heavyweight that struggled past Ngannou to the lean, mean fighting machine that will touch boxing gloves with Usyk on Saturday. The Brit is in the best shape of his career as he prepares for a place in boxing history, and his strategy is to use his stamina.
Videos of Fury’s training remind fans of his many skills and attributes, including his speed, power, agility, footwork, defense, long jab, accurate uppercut, and sharp hook.
How many belts are on the line for the Fury vs Usyk fight?
Saturday is the first unification bout of the five-belt era in professional heavyweight boxing. The titles available are the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC and WBO straps.
Who will fight with Usyk if Fury drops out of the fight again?
Fury was forced to postpone this fight from its original February date to Saturday’s new slot, and it’s highly unlikely he’d withdraw again without having to relinquish the titles he fought so hard to earn.
If Fury doesn’t make it to the ring on Saturday, Usyk’s next fight will be delayed, and a contract thrashed out with contender Filip Hrgovic. Any late-notice meeting of Usyk vs Hrgovic would happen as soon as possible, but that’s unlikely to happen, especially after Fury has himself in serious fighting shape.
What did Usyk have to say about YouTube boxers?
Usyk isn’t known for his headline-grabbing interviews, but he took the time to comment on the rising tide of YouTubers invading the noble art. The Ukranian told fans Jake Paul should simply “stop boxing” before calling KSI a “blogger.” It’s difficult to argue with the heavyweight champion on either point.
Which fighter has more KOs in their career, Fury or Usyk?
Tyson Fury has the most knockout wins, with 24 KOs and a 71% knockout average. Usyk has 14 stoppage wins from 21 fights and a 67% KO average.
Fury vs Usyk undercard fights to look out for
Saturday’s card at the Kingdom Arena is promoted by Bob Arum for Top Rank and Frank Warren for Queensberry Promotions. The card consists of ten bouts with multiple respected belts on the line.
Joe Cordina faces Anthony Cacace for the IBF and IBO super featherweight titles, and Jai Opetaia meets Mairis Briedis for the vacant IBF world cruiserweight title. Viewers will also see Agit Kabayel, Mark Chamberlain and Sergey Kovalev aim to improve their records.
📺 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
Frank is a former professional boxer at the renowned TKO Gym in London who has transitioned his career into sports betting writing. He has worked with some of the leading names in the industry, including world-renowned bookmakers and ambitious affiliates. A student of the formbook, he leans heavily on the stats and trends to help find readers the value.
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