Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury II

The stage is set for one of the most eagerly anticipated rematches in modern boxing history. On 21 December, Oleksandr Usyk will defend his world titles against Tyson Fury.

Their first clash in May was nothing short of spectacular, as Usyk overcame a shaky start to dominate the later rounds, even forcing Fury into a standing count in the ninth. Usyk ultimately claimed victory via split decision. Below we preview the rematch, which promises to be just as thrilling.

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Oleksandr Usyk (8/13)

Heading into this fight, Oleksandr Usyk is the slight favourite at 8/13. Renowned for his exceptional footwork, precision and ability to adapt mid-fight, Usyk is a master tactician in the ring. In their first encounter, the Ukrainian southpaw landed 170 punches to Fury’s 157, demonstrating his technical superiority and impressive accuracy.

The split-decision win cemented Usyk’s dominance as a heavyweight, following his undisputed cruiserweight reign. However, Fury’s resilience means Usyk will need to execute a near-perfect strategy once again. This time, Usyk has a 6/4 chance of winning on points, reflecting the belief that his route to victory lies in outboxing Fury over 12 rounds rather than seeking a stoppage.

For Usyk, the keys to victory remain his ability to control the pace, maintain distance and keep Fury off balance with his sharp counters. If he can replicate his performance from their first fight while avoiding Fury’s trademark aggression in the later rounds, the titles are likely to remain in his possession.

Tyson Fury (13/10)

Despite his defeat in May, Tyson Fury remains a formidable contender, with the odds listing him at a competitive 13/10 to win. Known for his unorthodox style, towering frame and unyielding will, Fury has repeatedly shown that he cannot be written off. Fans need only recall his trilogy with Deontay Wilder, where he rose from the canvas multiple times to ultimately dominate his opponent.

Fury’s path to victory lies in disrupting Usyk’s rhythm. While the Ukrainian prefers to dictate the pace, Fury must turn this into a rough, high-pressure contest. Using his size advantage, Fury could lean on Usyk, wear him down in clinches and deliver punishing shots to the body. Targeting Usyk’s midsection early could pay dividends in the championship rounds, where Fury’s endurance often comes to the fore.

Although Fury denied reports of a broken nose from their previous fight, his performance suggested that the cumulative damage from Usyk’s precise combinations took its toll. If Fury can utilise his reach and unpredictability to avoid falling into Usyk’s tactical traps, a victory—whether by late stoppage or decision—is within reach.

What to Expect

Both fighters are known for their durability, making an early finish unlikely. The odds of the fight going the distance are 4/7, emphasising the expectation of another 12-round battle.
For Fury to reclaim his titles, he must execute a more aggressive game plan, applying constant pressure while cutting off the ring. For Usyk, the strategy remains straightforward: control the tempo, stay elusive and capitalise on Fury’s mistakes. With the fight most probably going to go the distance, there is always a possibility of a draw, which is priced at 14/1.

Boxing fans worldwide will be glued to their screens on 21 December, eagerly awaiting which heavyweight giant will emerge victorious in this epic rematch. Will Usyk once again prove why he is among the pound-for-pound greats, or will Fury reclaim his throne in dramatic fashion? One thing is certain: this is a fight not to be missed.