Boxing fans worldwide are counting down the seconds until Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury renew their rivalry at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on December 21.
With three world heavyweight titles on the line, Fury will be desperate to avenge the first loss of his career, while Usyk wants to cement his legacy with another win over the ‘Gypsy King’.
The Ukrainian edged out his English counterpart in a split decision victory in May to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000.
Usyk Bamboozles Fury in the First Fight
Many people expected Fury’s size, power and reach to overwhelm his smaller opponent in their first meeting, but the fight did not go to script.
Usyk knew he had some distance to close. He came charging out of the blocks and scored some excellent hits against Fury, who was more interested in cringy showboating.
Fury recovered his composure, controlling the match-up from distance with his jabs and mixing them with some power shots that wobbled Usyk.
However, Usyk is one of the most adaptable boxers in the game. He took some punishing blows but began to find entry points. By round seven, Usyk was in his groove.
Usyk added feints behind his combinations, making them difficult for Fury to read, and the 37-year-old kept delivering blows while evading counters with his typically masterful footwork.
By round nine, Fury was bouncing from rope-to-rope to keep himself up as Usyk scored a knockdown that could have been a knockout if the referee had not inexplicably stepped in.
Usyk ultimately claimed a unanimous decision victory to climb to the top of the heavyweight mountain, setting up what should be another fiercely contested duel next month.
Fury Should be More Focused for the Rematch
Fury was the bookmakers’ favourite in the first bout, but the tide has turned ahead of the rematch with Usyk rated as a 1.57 shot to emerge victorious.
The former champion will be eager to defy his odds of 2.37, and betting fans will be backing their favourite fighter to claim the win in the Middle East.
With several countries in the region relaxing their typically conservative wagering stance, there will be a surge in betting activity on this fight.
All of the platforms featured on reliable comparison platform arabswin.com will be inundated with wagers on the rematch between Usyk and Fury.
Both fighters are confident they will win. Fury has vowed to be smarter and cut out the showboating. He should be more focused in the second fight.
However, Usyk is a tactician who can find chinks in his opponent’s armour and will look to put the pace on Fury to replicate his previous success.
British Star Fancied to set up a Third Fight
Fury used his size advantage well before allowing Usyk back into the first fight. The fact that he looks fit for the rematch bodes well for his chances of coping with Usyk’s relentless pressure.
Control must be the watchword for Fury. He sporadically controlled proceedings in the last flight but he will need to do it for 12 rounds this time.
Fury knows how to bounce back from adversity, but his head movement needs to be sharper against the champion’s quick combinations.
By contrast, Usyk brings speed, endurance, agility and precision to the table. He can do damage to his opponent if he keeps the pressure on.
Usyk found success when he mixed his hits with feints to draw out Fury from his defensive shell, and he needs to do the same in the rematch.
Usyk also needs to work on his acclaimed footwork. He was not able to cut out Fury and create new angles seamlessly. He needs to stay mobile and pick his shots.
Fury will have learned plenty from his first meeting with Usyk and is fancied to win the rematch to set up a decisive third fight between the two fighters.
