Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury II Predictions: The champion will defeat ‘The Gypsy King’

Oleksandr Usyk defends the WBC, WBO, WBA and The Ring heavyweight championships against Tyson Fury this Saturday, December 21. The hotly-anticipated rematch takes place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, the site of their first meeting back in May. You have a full slate of broadcasters for this, with DAZN, Sky Sports Box Office and TNT Sports Box Office all screening this mega-event live on their platforms.

Here are my Usyk vs Fury II predictions ahead of the biggest fight of 2024.

Usually at this stage you’d say something snappy like “the talking is over”. But let’s face it, when ‘The Gypsy King’ is involved the talking can extend as far as the ring itself. However, at some point the bluster, soundbites and pithy put-downs give way to the action itself. Seconds out: round 13.

I find this fight more intriguing than the first one for many reasons. Sure, the nose-off-spite-face IBF stripped Usyk of his belt, so we aren’t in official undisputed territory. But with all due respect to the excellent Daniel Dubois, we all know who the heavyweight champion of the world is. Usyk beat Fury in exhilarating fashion in spring. Now he looks to protect his house and his legacy.

This fight is even more exciting than the first one because of the shifting dynamics. Fury comes in riding the first professional loss of his career. We have seen Fury as a wounded animal before, but usually the backs-to-the-wall resilience has happened on the night. Rising in the 12th round against Deontay Wilder. Clambering off the canvas to ease home against Francis Ngannou.

But this time the former two-time heavyweight king has had seven months to stew on his Lazarus project. This isn’t the instant gratification of hauling yourself off the canvas to get a result. Fury has had to listen to the doubts, the fears, the premature career obituaries. For a man used to the roar of the crowd willing him on, that is hard to take. 

Meanwhile, Usyk has enjoyed a half-year of being feted, correctly, as the best heavyweight of this generation. How else would you describe a man who has beaten Anthony Joshua twice and then gone on to dethrone Fury? Throw in his wins over Derek Chisora and Daniel Dubois that look better by the day, with the defeated pair racking up impressive victories since, and you get an intoxicating boxing brew.

Usyk is the best heavyweight since Lennox Lewis, of that there is no doubt. Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko may have reigned for longer, but their resumes lacked the names that Usyk can boast. Quality over quantity. 

It is this sense of dominance that has people talking about an unusual situation for this fight. We could quite conceivably see a major heavyweight championship fight end with both men retiring. 

Picture Usyk winning and it is hard to see where either man goes from there. The Ukrainian will have conquered all, with no name left big enough to make further risks at the age of 37 worth it. In that situation, Fury would likely step away too. He has never been a man afraid of stepping away, retiring from the sport frequently. I used to joke that retirement was just something Tyson Fury does between fights. But if he loses on Saturday, I could see it sticking.

A Fury win is less likely to lead to a double-finale. For a start, the trilogy almost becomes irresistible at that stage. The Mancunian loves a trilogy, having shared a collective six fights with Wilder and Chisora. It would make business sense too. Fury and Usyk are huge for boxing and a third go-round would light the box office on fire.

Even if Usyk didn’t fancy a third fight, and I find that hard to believe, you would still have plenty of options for Fury. Joshua or Dubois would make for a blockbuster event. But there is still a chance Fury will want to leave on a high. One last Sinatra song on the mic and off into that Saudi night. 

But before all that, before the next steps and the pathways, we’ve got 12 rounds of elite heavyweight boxing to enjoy. Or endure, if you’re one of the two principles. 

That first fight was hard on both. I think it is fair to say that the action was more free-flowing and brutal than most expected. Almost as if their technical excellence cancelled each other out and an iron will and indomitable spirit was needed instead. 

The oft-replayed seconds of that bout where Usyk rattled Fury and had him on the brink of a stoppage have come to define the bout. Rightfully so, considering they represented the most evident supremacy of either man. 

But Fury had moments of not just excellence, but dominance. Early on he seemed very comfortable at range, able to use his physical advantages to keep Usyk where he wanted him. This control eroded as the fight went on and ‘The Cat’ warmed to his task.

The scores were close as a split decision was rendered in Usyk’s favour. I had the Ukrainian winning and thought there was very little in the way of genuine controversy about the decision. It was a close but clear victory for Usyk.

Can he do it again? If so, Usyk enters the pantheon of the very best heavyweights that have ever lived. If Fury can pull it off, a mega-scalp to go along with wins over Wilder and Klitschko, he might just do the same.

Usyk vs Fury II Fight Odds

Usyk is 5/6 to do it again while the revenge for Fury is priced at 13/10. A draw, not inconceivable in a fight this close, is marketed at 16/1. Betfred are Top Price on Fury compared with selected bookmakers via oddschecker.com.

Usyk vs Fury II Full Card

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Usyk vs Fury II Prediction

I’m not going to beat around the bush here. I like Usyk again for this one. Put simply, I do not think there is an active heavyweight who can beat the world champion. Size does not faze him. Power does not faze him. Technical skill does not faze him. Usyk, to quote Dr Ian Malcolm, finds a way.

Despite rocking Fury’s to his boots in the first one, I don’t see a stoppage here. I think Fury will fight in a more considered manner, trying to keep his distance and not get drawn in. But I think Usyk’s timing, defensive movement and counter-punching will see him home by decision. 

Usyk is 15/8 to win the fight on points if you’d like to back my prediction.

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