The boxing world is eagerly awaiting the second fight between the Ukrainian and the Briton.
Already on Saturday, December 21, the Ukrainian holder of the WBA, WBO, WBC, and IBO heavyweight titles Oleksandr Usyk will have a rematch with British ex-champion Tyson Fury in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).
In anticipation of the second fight, famous boxers, coaches and promoters are divided in their predictions. Some consider Usyk to be the favorite in the rematch, while others are leaning in favor of Fury.
We tell you what the boxing world is predicting and who they are betting on in the Usyk-Fury rematch.
Mike Tyson, ex-world champion
“Usyk surprised everyone. Fury was playing around too much in the ring. He needs to take these fights seriously and hopefully he'll get a different result in the rematch.”
Lennox Lewis, former world champion
“I think Fury has figured out what he needs to do next time, he didn't do enough in the first fight. He needs to do a lot more. I like Tyson to be a little heavier and not move as much.
First he has to beat himself. He's been through this before, so I think he can do it, Tyson knows how to beat Usyk. Fury has been through the downs and ups before, he knows how to come back, he just has to prepare well.
You can draw an analogy with me. When I lost, I always came back and won the rematch. Every day I woke up, trained for my opponent, was ready for him, thought about him all day. I took it very seriously.”
Evander Holyfield, former world champion
“When I met Usyk, he told me, 'I'm going to do what you did, become the undisputed heavyweight champion, move up to super heavyweight and become champion there.' I said, 'Power to you.' And guess what, he did it.
At this stage of their career and at this age, there are only a few little things they can change. Usyk is a guy who throws a lot of punches. He has fast hands and great reflexes. He is small and may have to take a few punches to give them back. Alexander will do what he needs to do to win.
Usyk is a guy who works hard all the time. I like that. I was like Alexander – when I had to work, I always gave it my all.
I think if Usyk lands consistently, he can knock Fury out. Tyson has the height and reach and he is a good boxer. He is hard to hit. It all comes down to timing, combinations and timing.
For some reason they didn't stop the first fight in the ninth round. I try not to argue because I'm a fighter myself. I trained to be the best. I like both of those guys. They're both skilled, and whoever wins is a worthy winner. But I like Alexander. I think he'll win on points.”
Shannon Briggs, former world champion
“I think Fury will win the rematch. But it won't be an easy fight for Tyson. I like Usyk as a boxer. In my opinion, Usyk is one of the best boxers in the world. He's not as small as people think. But I repeat, I think Fury will win the rematch.”
Roy Jones Jr., former world champion
“It's a tough fight. I like Fury in rematches. He corrects mistakes very well, but in fights against ordinary boxers. Usyk is not an ordinary boxer. Usyk knows and can do everything. He is technical, he understands boxing as a sport.
But if he goes into the rematch like, “I did it once, the second time will be easy,” he will lose. Because Tyson will come back completely different. He is a winner, and when he comes back, he will do everything to win.
Usyk finished the last fight on a high note. Now we need to take that feeling away from him, and it will be hard for Fury. The question is whether Usyk will be able to take the crown off his head and continue what he started. And will Tyson be able to make adjustments and change everything.”
Bernard Hopkins, former world champion
“Can Tyson win in a rematch? No. Yes, Usyk is a small guy, but he has a really big character and talent. I have bet on Fury many times in fights with other heavyweights, but Usyk has calculated him, and the fact that he is smaller will even help him.
I just think that Alexander has such a boxing IQ that Tyson Fury can’t do anything with. I like Usyk, he will probably win early at the end of the fight, but not because of one punch, the referee will just take pity on Fury and stop the fight.”
Oscar De La Hoya, former world champion
“Yes, Usyk won the first fight. He will come back with all this in the rematch. Alexander will be better, faster, wiser, tougher. He will know how to deal with Tyson thanks to the first fight and the confidence he has.
However, I think Fury will have his head in the right place this time. We didn’t know what happened… He went through a tragedy, his child died before the fight. Let’s talk about the heart that Tyson entered the ring with. Anyone would have refused. But Tyson entered the ring and fought Usyk, it’s incredible. So I do see an even rematch, 50-50, but I still have to give preference to Tyson.”
Manny Pacquiao, former world champion
“It’s a good fight, both have a chance to win, but it all depends on who puts in more effort in training. First of all, Fury needs to be in good shape if he wants to beat Usyk. If Tyson is in shape, then I think it will be easier for him. I saw his last fight, he was not 100% focused on the fight.”
Lamon Brewster, former world champion
“I don't know what Fury will do in the ring. Tyson is a big guy who has incredible skills. I think he needs to fight Usyk the way he fought Wilder. You need to constantly pressure the Ukrainian, use the weight advantage, be rough with Usyk.
Tyson needs to use his long arms and keep Alexander at a distance. It's important to make your opponent suffer in order to get to him with a long jab… Remember how Klitschko did it? You'd come at him, he'd clinch and you'd get tired quickly.”
George Groves, former world champion
“Really, I only see the same result. Usyk is an exceptional fighter of a generation. Fury had his era, and now it's Usyk's era. I think if they fight again, Usyk will make changes, get better again and beat Fury again. It doesn't mean it'll be the same fight, but I think it'll be the same result.”
Anthony Joshua, former world champion
“I've fought Oleksandr Usyk twice and I can say he's a phenomenal boxer, he does everything right. I would say he does a really great job in the ring.
I've never fought Tyson Fury, so I can't judge what he'll do in a fight or what it's like to face him. Based on what I know, I'd have to say Usyk will win.”
Deontay Wilder, former world champion
“It's a matter of who shows themselves in the fight and how. We often have good days and bad days. You never know what will happen. If I had to choose the winner of the rematch, I would say Usyk. But we'll see what happens.”
Zhang Zhilei, former interim world champion
“I said it before, I say it now – Usyk will win. He had the advantage in the first fight, Alexander found a way to defeat Tyson. My prediction for this fight? Usyk will simply finish him off, knock him out.”
Joseph Parker, former world champion
“The one who has the most confidence always wins. Usyk will prepare well for the rematch. I recently spoke with Tyson. I liked his attitude towards the fight. He will definitely change something and will be better in the rematch.
I wish him all the best during his preparation for the fight, I see his attitude, I hope Tyson wins.
Derek Chisora, former opponent of Usyk and Fury
“Do I believe Tyson can beat Alexander? I look at his sparring partners in camp. Personally, I don't believe all of them will make him a threat. All of these guys admire Tyson. They hold back during sparring. These are the things I see.
What I see in Alexander’s preparation is a completely different approach. I think Usyk will start fast and finish fast this time. He knows he can hurt Fury, so he will try to do it. He keeps saying he won’t leave him alone. I would like Tyson to win, but at the moment the chances don’t look too encouraging.”
David Allen, former sparring partner of Usyk and Fury
“I think Fury will win. I’ve sparred with everyone, boxed. Tyson is the best fighter I’ve ever stepped into the ring with. He’s special. Usyk is also great, but he’s too small.
Fury should have won the first fight. If he fixes a few things, he’ll knock Usyk out.”
Shawn Porter, former world champion
“I expect Fury to win the rematch. He's bigger than Usyk. Unlike most fighters, Tyson knows how to use that size, reach and speed advantage.
The whole rematch will play out like the first half of the first fight. The whole fight will go like that. Focused and determined Fury is a quiet and relentless Fury.”
Billy Joe Saunders, former world champion
“Usyk is a special fighter, so you can't be distracted for a moment. You have to be focused and concentrated until the final bell. Usyk is so cool that anything can happen at any moment. So Tyson has to be constantly on and then he will easily win the rematch.”
Amir Khan, former world champion
“This time Fury knows the mistakes he made in the first fight. He knows he can't stand in front of the strong Usyk. Alexander still has a lot of power, and Fury felt it last time, so he knows that Usyk has moved up in weight, but still has that power.
That's why I think Fury will be one step ahead. In each of his rematches, Fury has always looked much better, so he will probably stop Usyk closer to the later rounds.”
Chris Algieri, former world champion
“We all saw how dominant Fury was in the middle of the first fight. Yes, he made a mistake, got hit and was stunned. I agree that if Tyson hadn't been hurt in that situation, he probably would have won quite comfortably. But if you ask me right now, I think Usyk will win again.”
Paul Malignaggi, former world champion
“I don't know if Fury can be the one after three fights with Wilder. Wilder is probably the most devastating puncher in history. Those punches will always stay with Fury. Those are tough fights that Tyson had to go through. That's why I'm going with Usyk. I don't think the old Fury is left. I'm not sure he can be like before. I've always loved Tyson, but I'm not sure he can come back.”
Jorge Linares, former world champion
“I'm for Usyk, 100 percent. I saw their last stare-off, Fury looked a little scared. I don't know, but I think this fight could end in a 5th or 6th round knockout for Usyk. That's what I think. We'll see. I'm looking forward to this fight.”
Mairis Briedis, former world champion
“If Fury prepares, doesn't drink and party, and is focused on this fight, then it will be very difficult for Usyk. It hasn't been easy for him anyway. If I put 50/50, maybe even more on Usyk, then in this fight, maybe even 60 on Fury, 40 on Usyk.”
Tony Bellew, former world champion
“Usyk is the best natural heavyweight I've ever seen. I just never thought he'd be big enough for heavyweight. Do I think Fury has no chance at all? Absolutely not. But do I think he'll win? No. I'd give it to Usyk again. I think it'll be a very close fight and Usyk will win on points.”
Duke McKenzie, former world champion
“Usyk will win the rematch. I don't see Tyson winning. He can't knock Usyk out. The guy is unbeatable and no one has found a crack in his defense. There are a lot of questions about Fury. Does he have a bad engine? Does he get cut? Does he go down? Does he have to get up to win the fight? Usyk doesn't have to do any of that. The guy has never shown any weaknesses.”
Michael Moorer, former world champion
“Tyson Fury has sparred with southpaws, I'm sure he thinks he's done everything right to beat southpaws. Sugar Hill Steward does a great job with him, but Oleksandr Usyk just has the brains to do so much more. Fury wasn't a serious boxer before, he was in bad shape. Usyk has always been in good shape, always done the right things. So Usyk will stop him, probably in the 10th or 11th round. I think Usyk will win.”
Anthony Yarde, former world title challenger
“If I had to pick a winner, I would say Alexander will win again. Usyk will beat Fury again. When Tyson dodges, it seems like he's just messing around, but in fact he's doing something that gets results. If he gets too serious, it will play into Usyk's hands, because Alexander will be able to see his intentions.
Fury can just scratch his nose and use unconventional methods. He will try to outbox Usyk, and the Ukrainian, in turn, will move from side to side, going to close range. I think it will be an extremely interesting fight.”
Malik Scott, Deontay Wilder's trainer
“I just think Usyk is too stubborn for Fury to handle. I think the punches that hurt you the most are the ones you don't see. You don't have to be a big puncher to give your opponents problems. Usyk understands that.
The fans think Tyson is bigger so he can just walk up to him. Hell, no one can walk up to Usyk. I think Fury will take a bigger beating if he just walks up to him. He'll get caught in all sorts of traps. I don't think Tyson can beat Usyk.”
Frank Warren, Tyson Fury's promoter
“I think Tyson came close to stopping Usyk in the seventh round. He caught him a few times and stunned him. I believe Fury has what it takes to knock Usyk out. I've seen Usyk get hurt in previous fights from body shots and also from Tyson's uppercut. He can be knocked out.”
Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua's promoter
“The rematch will be as great a fight as the first fight. If you ask me to be completely honest, I would like Fury to win. He's a little wilder, you enjoy him more, he's more entertaining. But if you asked me where I'd put my money, I'd go with Usyk.
Usyk is just hard to beat. Especially when he's been in the ring with you before. In a fight, he usually analyzes you and understands what he needs to do. He made Fury retreat in the first fight. That's something he's never done at heavyweight. When you look at Tyson's size, you realize that Usyk has done something incredible.
But Usyk also likes to be attacked aggressively. That's what Joshua was always told: “Oh, Anthony, you just have to be aggressive. Just use your size.” No, that's not how it works. I don't know what Fury can use to beat Usyk. He's landed punches, but in the rematch, he's going to have to do it a lot more. And when you do it more, you open yourself up to a counterattack.”
James Ali Bashir, Usyk's ex-trainer
“Yes, Usyk will do something differently. He will be better than in the first fight, that will be the difference. He is very proud, he thinks a lot. I think Usyk will hardly win this fight. But he will win.
The bigger and stronger his opponent is, the bigger and stronger Usyk will be. This guy is very brave, focused, has a good chin, good skills. So, despite what Fury is going to do in the rematch and how much pressure he is going to put on him, I tell you, if anyone can surprise and get out of a difficult situation, it is Usyk.
Tyson has gained weight, he will try to press in the rematch, he will press Usyk. I think his idea will not work. Usyk will also come to the ring as the best version of himself, he is already prepared for body shots and uppercuts from Tyson. I predict Usyk to win by unanimous decision, but there is also a possibility of a knockout.”
In the Usyk-Fury rematch, all titles held by the Ukrainian boxer will be at stake. Unlike the first fight, this time the title of absolute world champion will not be at stake, since Alexander previously renounced the IBF title. Now it is owned by Briton Daniel Dubois, who has already managed to defend it by knocking out his compatriot Anthony Joshua.
Recall that on the night of May 19, 2024, Usyk won by split decision over Fury in a fight for the title of absolute world heavyweight champion. At the end of the ninth round, Alexander knocked his opponent down.
Thus, Alexander defended the WBO, WBA, IBO and IBF belts, and also took the WBC title from the “Gypsy King”. Usyk became the first absolute world champion in the heavyweight division in the 21st century.
Before that, the last “absolute” heavyweight champion was Lennox Lewis, who won this status in 1999, when he defeated Evander Holyfield. At that time, the WBA, WBC and IBF titles were at stake. The WBO belt was recognized as equal in 2007, so Usyk became the first “absolute” heavyweight champion in history with four main titles.