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Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk predictions: What boxing experts are saying about the fight

Oleksandr Usyk preparing for Fury-Usyk II
Usyk is regarded as the superior tactician, especially after the first fight - PA/Nick Potts

Fury vs Usyk 2 LIVE: Latest fight updates and undercard results

Tyson Fury faces Oleksandr Usyk for the second time this year, in a fight tonight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The pair agreed to a rematch shortly after Usyk beat Fury on a split decision back in May. On that occasion, Fury somewhat crassly claimed that the judges had awarded his opponent the victory only because Ukraine is at war. In reality, Usyk was the better boxer on the night. Should he beat Fury again, he has a indisputable claim to being the better boxer full stop.

Here’s how experts are calling the rematch.

‘I’m backing the Brit for a victory’

Eddie Hearn, promoter

My heart says Fury but my head says Usyk. I do think Tyson is capable of doing extraordinary things and he will need to beat this generational great. The last time Usyk backed up the much bigger man which I did not think was possible. Fury has to be much more aggressive this time but that might suit the counter-punching qualities of Usyk. If I have to choose it would be Usyk on points in a close fight but I’m backing the Brit for a victory.

‘Fury is going to be one step ahead’

Amir Khan, former world champion

Good fight. I think this time Fury knows what mistakes he made in the first fight. He knows that he can’t stand in front of a strong Usyk. Usyk still has a lot of power and he’s felt Usyk’s power this time, knowing that Usyk has come up a weight and still holds that power. So I think Fury is going to be one step ahead. Whenever Fury comes back in a rematch he is always much better so he could probably stop Usyk toward the later rounds.

‘Fury should jump on him and smother him’

Daniel Dubois, IBF heavyweight title holder

I’m still backing Fury. I hope our man does it. Usyk is capable. Fury should jump on him and smother him. Fury is a slick boxer too, but it will be a great fight and I’ll be out there calling on to fight the winner.

‘Usyk on points’

Tony Bellew, former world champion and Usyk opponent

Usyk wins on points. If the judges read the fight properly and judge it properly, I can see it being a unanimous decision. The only way I see it getting close is if we have incompetent judging.

‘Usyk is still the fresher fighter’

George Groves World, former super-middleweight champion

I don’t think it’s a different outcome. I think Usyk beats him again. 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 leaves no stone unturned, and I think it’s a clearer win for Usyk this time.

‘It’s going the same way’

Fabio Wardley, previously sparred both fighters
Speaking on Boxing Social, the boxer said:

I think Usyk will go into the fight with the mindset, like he has done with all of his fights, that just narrow focus, straight on target, on point, not missing the beat, not missing the step. Maybe Fury will say that his camp wasn’t ideal, or he wasn’t in the best place or the best shape... who knows. So maybe the loss was what he needed to go right 100 per cent back in and maybe he comes out differently. But if I was to put money on it, I’d say it goes pretty much the same way.

‘If Fury isn’t a menace, Usyk has his number’

Lennox Lewis, former undisputed heavyweight champion

Fury and Usyk are in the middle of a war. Fury will come back and fight. Usyk will focus on winning rounds. It is what he does – he is a scientist in there. He was with Fury for every second of the first fight, but I do believe the referee was very good [giving a standing eight count in the ninth round].

I think Fury will go after Usyk a little more. Like he did in the second fight against Deontay Wilder. He was looking to sit down on his shots a little more, as he comes back looking for revenge.

Fury can box at a heavier weight and if he comes forward he is a heavyweight menace. If not, Usyk has Fury’s number. But Fury has to step up his game, and I think he can do it... but this is going to be another close fight.

Lennox Lewis says Tyson Fury needs to up his game
Lennox Lewis says Tyson Fury needs to up his game - PA Wire/Nick Potts

‘If Usyk tries the KO, it could go wrong’

Roy Jones Jnr, former world No 1 pound-for-pound

Usyk has the momentum, but we will find out who Fury really is in this fight. If Usyk fights the wrong fight, and tries to knock Fury out, it could go wrong for him. I like Fury, but it’s hard to go against Usyk, given what he came up with the last time.

‘I don’t think Usyk loses in a rematch’

Carl Froch, former world super middleweight champion

I find it very, very difficult to pick against Usyk. I’d love Tyson Fury to win. But I’ve got a favourite. I don’t want Usyk to win. I want him to lose. I just think Usyk is hard to pick against. I think he is an unbelievably special talent. Does he now go in there and lose to a Tyson Fury in his rematch? I don’t think so. But anything can happen in heavyweight boxing.

‘Usyk to win on points’

Johnny Nelson, former world cruiserweight champion

I don’t think it’s an impossible task for Fury, but you only have one chance to make a first impression. And Fury blew that. In doing so, he gave us a blueprint of his make up. So I predict another tough fight but Usyk to win on points but easier than the last fight – even though it’s going to be a very tough fight for both men.

‘Fury is in the zone now’

Carl Frampton, former world champion

I fancy Fury. My mind has never changed. I’ve been saying Fury from the start. I think Fury is in the zone now, he’s serious, he’s ready to fight. Both guys seem to be very, very confident. It will be a difficult fight for both, but Fury will get the win.

‘Tyson should stand his ground’

Ricky Hatton, former world champion

Tyson needs to impose the height, reach, and weight advantages he has but didn’t use in the last fight. He allowed the smaller Usyk to move him around the ring. Tyson should stand his ground, use his weight and reach and take it to Usyk this time. And have just one voice in the corner: SugarHill Steward.

Tyson Fury must utilise his considerable size advantage, says Ricky Hatton
Tyson Fury must utilise his considerable size advantage, says Ricky Hatton - Lee Brown

‘Usyk will outbox him’

Josh Taylor, former undisputed world champion

I’m dead excited. I find it hard not to pick Usyk. We saw what skills he had in the first 12 rounds between them, and he used them. Fury struggles with smaller, agile opponents. This time around Usyk will know what to expect and outbox him, Tyson may wise up and make it more physical using size and natural weight, ugly even, for Usyk. Usyk is probably expecting it, and I’m going Usyk again on points.

‘Fury can win if he’s the aggressor’

Dillian Whyte, former Tyson Fury opponent

If I was Tyson Fury’s trainer I’d be telling him to go out there and be more aggressive against Usyk. In the same way that he fought Deontay Wilder the second time. So he needs to bring back the aggressor, and be the bully in there. If he does that, Fury can win the second fight.

‘Fury is going to get KO’d’

Duke McKenzie, former three-weight world champion

It makes no difference what adjustments Tyson Fury made. I believe he is going to get KO’d this time by Usyk. When you’ve hit somebody and hurt them you get an inner confidence and knowing you can hurt them, it’s going to present itself at some point or another. I expect Usyk to close the show this time around.

‘I’m 50/50’

Joe Calzaghe, former undefeated super middleweight and light heavyweight world champion

I think it’s a 50/50 fight and who can implement their game plan the best will win. I’m really looking forward to it and it will be as close as the first fight. I can’t decide.

‘Fury can win a decision’

Thomas Hauser, biographer of Muhammad Ali

This is a tough one. Fury fought the wrong fight last time out, he was almost knocked out in the ninth round but he still came within one round of winning the fight. If Fury fights the right fight this time, and uses his massive size more effectively, he will win a decision.

‘My money is on Usyk’

Derek Chisora, former opponent of Fury and Usyk

It will be another good fight. We’ll see adjustments from both, but my money is still on Usyk.

‘No champion has been in better shape than Usyk’

Shannon Briggs, former two-time heavyweight champion

In the first fight, Fury was looking sharp early on, but that’s Usyk for you – he’s a machine! Usyk just doesn’t stop. Who could be in better shape than him? I don’t think there’s ever been another heavyweight in history that could be in better shape than Usyk.

But this is a pick-’em fight. You can’t just say Usyk’s got this in the bag, you can’t count Fury out. We don’t know which Fury we’re gonna get. The man can box, he can press forward, he can dance around that ring. Fury can do whatever he feels like to get the win. He can switch to southpaw, go orthodox – it doesn’t matter. Who else in history could do that? Nobody does it like Fury.