Usyk vs Fury Fight Picks: Pound-for-Pound heavyweights Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will clash for heavyweight supremacy this Saturday in Saudi Arabia at 6 PM ET. boxing predictions favor Usyk, with 53% of experts backing the Ukrainian at -110 odds.
Fury, with a record of 34-0-1 (24 KOs), narrowly escaped with a win against novice Francos Ngannou as a 14/1 favorite, after being knocked down. Usyk, 21-0 (14 KOs), also had a challenging victory in his last fight, barely edging out 10/1 underdog Daniel Dubois, who landed a body shot that was controversially ruled a low blow.
The key questions ahead of the bout include: Was Fury’s performance against Ngannou a sign of decline or just poor preparation? Will Usyk’s elusive style leave him vulnerable to a knockout while closing the distance? Can Fury’s recent cut withstand Usyk’s sharp punches? Usyk has shown susceptibility to body shots; will his frame endure Fury’s powerful blows? Has Fury’s new svelte physique come at the cost of overtraining?
ESPN2 News provides their fight picks for this modern David vs. Goliath matchup, where the winner will claim the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles. Fury is set to earn an estimated $100 million, while Usyk is expected to pocket $30 million.
Tyson Fury Bio
The Good
“The Gypsy King” stands as an imposing figure at 6’9” and 250 lbs, with an NBA-worthy 85” reach. Though not typically seen as a knockout artist, Tyson Fury’s right-hand hits with the force of a trash compactor. Remarkably, Fury combines his size with skilled footwork, coordination, and dexterity.
His feints, head movement, and reach make him a challenging target. He can box effectively on his toes behind a powerful jab or dominate up close with devastating uppercuts and roughhouse tactics.
Fury is also adept at fighting as a southpaw, switching stances fluidly as needed. His resilience and strong recuperative abilities are well-known, underscoring his reputation for having a big heart.
The Bad
Not as elusive as he once was and can be found with big leather. Shows signs of wear and tear from tough fights and years of substance abuse. His performance can be inconsistent, with his focus sometimes waning mid-fight. Scar tissue around his eye could pose a problem.
His low guard leaves him vulnerable to clean head shots, often resulting in knockdowns. Age has diminished his reaction time and reflexes. Struggles with pressure when he can’t control the pace.
While he can handle textbook boxers and sluggers, faster opponents tend to trouble him. His track record against southpaws is not impressive, with some lackluster performances against left-handed fighters.
Oleksandr Usyk Bio
The Good
Electric fast and quick-thinking with the ability to frustrate and confuse opponents. Expert technician, with laser-like accuracy and impeccable timing. Uses his jab like a fencer, able to use it as both an offensive and defensive tool to control fights.
Knows how to maximize his southpaw advantage with angles and clever ring geography. Extremely hard to hit in the melon with a high guard and eagle-like ring vision. Chucks leather at a high rate outhustling opponents with a steady stream of combinations.
Gritty competitor that maintains his intensity and focus throughout. Fights with the pride of Ukraine on his chest making him a tough-out to stop. Underrated power possessing good thump in both mitts.
The Bad
Natural cruiserweight that has filled into a heavyweight through strength training. Can be outmuscled on the inside and worn down in the trenches. High-guard and smallish frame make him vulnerable to the body where he has been hurt on several occasions.
Not much of a great in-fighter preferring to ply his trade at mid to long-range. Chin looks solid but a bomb from Fury could short-circuit the smaller man.
Usyk vs Fury Predictions
When athletes believe victory is certain, they often become complacent, as seen when Fury underperformed against Ngannou. Expect a well-conditioned Fury to demonstrate to boxing fans the importance of weight classes.
Usyk is Fury’s southpaw parallel in terms of style, but Fury is bigger and stronger. Bet 1 UNIT on the towering “Gypsy King” to take Usyk’s titles and remain the undisputed linear heavyweight champion.
Usyk vs Fury Fight Picks
Tyson Fury Moneyline -120 (1 Betting Unit)
Usyk vs Fury ESPN Bet Boxing Odds
Fury Moneyline: –120
Usyk Moneyline: –110
Total Rounds:10.5 O -300 U +260
Fight Goes The Distance: Y -200 N +160
Fury via KO/ TKO/ Tech. Dec/DQ: +300
Fury via Decision : +220
Usyk via KO/TKO/Tec. Dec/ DQ: +500
Usyk via Decision: +185
Draw: +1300
Tyson Fury Tale-Of-The-Tape
- From: United Kingdom
- Record: 34-0-1 (24)
- Amateur Tournament Record: 20-5 (13)
- Rank: 👑 Linear Champion
- Ht: 6’9”
- Weight: 262 Lbs.
- Reach: 85”
- Age: 35
- Best Weapon: Right Cross
- Style: Pure Boxer
- IG Followers: 6.9M
Size:5.0 out of 5.0 stars
Power:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Handspeed:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Stamina:3.5 out of 5.0 stars
Defense:3.5 out of 5.0 stars
Resilience:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Jab:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Agility:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Intelligence:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
In-Fighting:3.5 out of 5.0 stars
Heart:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
“When he gets busted up, blood all over the ring. He’ll be crawling on his hands on the floor, like a little sausage.” -Tyson Fury
Oleksandr Usyk Tale-Of-The-Tape
- From: Ukraine
- Record: 21-0 (14)
- Amateur Tournament Record: 94-15 (19)
- Rank: #1 (Boxrec)
- Ht: 6’3”
- Weight: 233 Lbs.
- Reach: 80”
- Age: 37
- Best Weapon: Straight Left
- Style: Pure Boxer
- IG Followers: 2M
Size:3.5 out of 5.0 stars
Power:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Handspeed:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Stamina:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Defense:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Resilience:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Jab:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Agility:4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Intelligence:4.5 out of 5.0 stars
In-Fighting:3.5 out of 5.0 stars
Heart:5.0 out of 5.0 stars
“He’s [Tyson Fury] big, tough, very big. But size doesn’t matter. If size matter, King of Animal would be elephant.” – Oleksandr Usyk
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