Unified Heavyweight Boxing Championship: Usyk vs Fury 2 Best Bets

The first matchup between Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk and Englishman Tyson Fury was so darn good—a scintillating split decision win for Usyk—that they simply had to run it back. And not only run it back, but run it back in the same year. They renew hostilities for the undisputed unified heavyweight title of the world in Riyadh at the Kingdom Arena. The top fight on the undercard in Saudi Arabia is nothing to scoff at either. Here are our best bets!

Unified Heavyweight Boxing Championship: Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury Best Bets & Odds

All odds provided by Betway.

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury Heavyweight Championship Bout Betting Odds 

Just over seven months after the first clash of these titans, and the pair are already back at it again. Whether that was because Oleksandr Usyk (22-0) wanted to beat his challenger more soundly, or because that challenger, the previously unbeaten Tyson Fury (34-1-1), simply couldn’t wait to avenge his split decision loss to the Ukrainian at Kingdom Arena back in May. 

The pair will be fighting for Usyk’s WBO, WBA, and WBC belts, all of which made the Ukrainian the first undisputed and unified heavyweight in 24 years. Here’s the tale of the tape:

• Age: Usyk (38) Fury (36)
• Height: Usyk (6’3”) Fury (6’7”)
• Weight: Usyk (232) Fury (262)
• Reach: Usyk (78 inches) Fury (85 inches)
• Style: Usyk (Southpaw) Fury (Orthodox)

Those stats were pulled from the previous matchup, as the two men are expected to weigh on Friday, the day before the bout. We expect them both to come in similar shape.

In the last fight, Fury started off slow, found his groove in the middle rounds, then fell away late in the fight, though he did snag the final round when the decision was all but made already. That may have had something to do with Fury cutting so much weight, about 15 pounds, prior to the first meeting. Fury had always had a good gas tank, and it seems he’s going to return to a heavier profile for the rematch.

He recently said that he weighs about 280 pounds, which is about as heavy as he’s ever been going into a fight. He believes this will increase his power advantage on Usyk and make him feel his punches just that little bit more. And it’s just as well, because the Ukrainian has been known to leave himself open at times.

Overall, opponents generally connect at a solid percentage on Usyk, so it would behoove Fury to remain patient but not passive as he looks for his shot. While he could use his size advantage to lean on Usyk and tire him out, the Ukrainian is very dangerous in tight, so it might not be worth the risk.

Instead, he should fall back on his classic boxing, which has always been his bread and butter. He’s four inches taller with a massive seven-inch reach advantage, so Fury’s best bet is to keep Usyk on the outside with his jab and wait for his moment to pounce with a hook or uppercut in close.

Usyk figured Fury out over the final few rounds of the last fight, but we believe Fury when he says he’s more locked in now than he’s ever been. He even said that he hasn’t been speaking to his loudmouth family so as to maintain his focus. Fury has been through a lot, both in and out of the ring, but he’s always bounced back in the end, and we believe he’s going to do so again here. Not to mention those underdog odds we’re getting from sports betting sites don’t hurt.

Best Bet: Tyson Fury Moneyline (+110)

Serhii Bohachuk vs. Ishmael Davis Light Middleweight Bout Betting Odds

Both of these men simply can’t get enough of the ring, as it will be the third time in the ring in 2024 for both Serhii Bohachuck (24-2) and Ishmael Davis (13-1). Both men are coming off a loss, and likely wanted to get that bad taste out of their mouth before the new year. Unfortunately, it seems only the Ukrainian, Bohachuck, will be able to do that, as betting apps have the 29-year-old coming in as the prohibitive favorite.

Bohachuck lost his last fight by majority decision despite dropping Vergil Ortiz Jr. twice. He was supposed to be fighting Israil Madrimov on Saturday, but Madrimov pulled out, with Davis coming in as a late replacement. Bohachuck has only won one fight by decision in his career, and with Davis coming in on short notice, that trend should continue here. The only bet with half decent odds on this bout would see the fight go under 8.5 rounds.

Best Bet: Fight Under 8.5 Rounds (-128)