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Boxing will crown an undisputed champion for the first time in 25 years this weekend as unified champion Oleksandr Usyk clashes with WBC champion Tyson Fury in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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🥊 Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk Best Bets
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When: Saturday 18th May
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Where: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Time: 23:00
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Watch Live: Sky Sports Box Office
The fact it has taken so long to reach this point doesn’t shine a positive light on boxing but it is perhaps fitting that it’s these two men that get to fight for the right to be named the greatest heavyweight of this generation.
Both undefeated, both highly motivated and both hugely popular, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are both so exceptionally talented that the rest of the heavyweight division has struggled to keep up with them and as we arrive in Saudi Arabia, these two men are the clear standouts in boxing’s premium division.
Tyson Fury is the star of the show, he is one of the biggest personalities in the world and since his comeback to boxing in 2018, he has been at the forefront of the sport. Since the comeback, ‘The Gypsy King’ has enjoyed a legacy-defining trilogy with Deontay Wilder but he enters this weekend on the back of a disappointing performance against boxing novice Francis Ngannou and he will be keen to put that behind him.
Oleksandr Usyk doesn’t have the celebrity circus following him but he is a superstar in his own right, he is more interested in his legacy inside the ropes rather than outside. The former Olympic gold medallist has already unified one division at cruiserweight and he has been a revelation since moving up to heavyweight in 2019.
The two dominant wins over Anthony Joshua are what has rubber-stamped Usyk as a major player at heavyweight but even in those wins, it never felt like he showed his true potential. The Ukrainian has achieved so much in boxing and there is a real chance we are yet to see the best of him.
This is the most important fight of this generation and whoever emerges with the victory, will write their name into boxing folklore forever.
🥊 Tale of the Tape
| Oleksandr Usyk | Tyson Fury |
| Total Fights: 21 | Total Fights: 35 |
| Wins: 21 | Wins: 34 |
| Wins by KO: 14 | Wins by KO: 24 |
| Last 5 Fights: WWWWW | Last 5 Fights: WWWWW |
Oleksandr Usyk V Tyson Fury Predictions & Best Bets
👑 NAP: Oleksandr Usyk to win by decision
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Odds: 3.0
This fight is so close and tension will be high as the opening bell goes, don’t be surprised if the opening couple of rounds are tentative as both men get accustomed to the fight.
There is no margin for error here so it’s unlikely we will see either fighter go for it, especially early, and that could play into the hands of Oleksandr Usyk.
He is giving away every physical advantage but it’s not the first time he has done that and still found a way to win. He comprehensively outboxed Anthony Joshua over two fights and although he has a different style to Fury, the way he dismissed Joshua’s physical advantages is enough evidence to prove the Ukrainian can do the same this weekend.
The form of Tyson Fury is another confidence boost for Team Usyk. Last time out, against boxing novice Francis Ngannou, Fury was slow, ponderous, and easy to hit. The argument is he never trained properly for the fight but that’s not an excuse. He fought to a split decision win in the end but it was arguably the worst performance of his 16-year professional career.
With stakes this high, it’s unlikely either man will take unnecessary risks this weekend and that will suit Usyk. No fighter has got close to being able to out-think him over 12 rounds and on recent form, Fury will struggle as well.
🥊 Next Best: Oleksandr Usyk to win by split decision
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Odds: 13.0
This pick is for all the reasons above but it also acknowledges the role of boxing politics in this weekend’s clash. When Saudi Arabia decided to get involved in boxing, it was ‘The Gypsy King’ that they chose to spearhead the charge. His recent fights (and any fights he has in the future) are likely to take place in the Kingdom and it’s no secret that they will want him to emerge victorious this weekend.
Close rounds could go the way of the Englishman and if they do, it won’t be a surprise if the cards are close at the end of the fight. Oleksandr Usyk has the class to win this one but the three ringside judges may just score it closer than those at home.
⚡ Boosted Double: Usyk to win & Fury to be knocked down (Now 6.50)
Oleksandr Usyk to win doesn’t need explaining any further but Fury to be dropped does have some substance behind it. ‘The Gypsy King’ has hit the canvas six times in his career and in being hit clean by lesser boxers than the one he faces this weekend.
His first trip to the canvas came in 2011 when he was dropped heavily by little-known Neven Pajkic and two years later, he was dropped heavily by Steve Cunningham. His recent knockdowns have come against Deontay Wilder and Francis Ngannou, who are two of the biggest punchers in the world so it’s hard to pick holes in that but evidence shows he has been hit and hurt by lesser boxers (and punchers than Usyk).
To his credit, Fury has always got back up and won fights and if he did the same this weekend, he deserves immense credit.
Written by an Andy verified content writer
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