Usyk Favored by Decision in Kingdom Arena Rematch Before Return to Cruiserweight
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
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Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (December 21st, 2024)– Lineal World Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is predicted to defeat former champion Tyson Fury by a split decision or majority decision in 12 rounds in the rematch main event at Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, December 21, 2024. The southpaw Usyk, 22-0 with 14 knockouts, Oxnard, California, by way of Simferopol, Crimea, Ukraine, remains the best technical cruiserweight and heavyweight since Rocky Marciano. ‘The Rock’ fought between 179 and 186 pounds. Usyk, the 2012 Olympic Heavyweight Gold medalist, has fought between 198 and 226 pounds, slightly taller and beefed up at heavyweight than Marciano, with similar technical and power hitting prowess, though at 22-0 not as experienced in his eleven-year career as Marciano was in his eight-year career.
Fury, 34-1-1 with 24 knockouts, Morecambe, Lancashire, United Kingdom, is 55 pounds heavier than Usyk at 281 pounds to Usyk at 226 pounds, and stands six inches taller than Usyk at 6’9″. Fury has raw power, however against a skilled technical fighter, while more astute than Deontay Wilder, like both the activity and the accuracy to compete with Usyk. After this bout, Usyk plans to return to the cruiserweight division he dominated as champion, where he last defended his world titles by stopping Tony Bellew in the eighth round in Manchester in November 2018.
To stand a chance of winning, Fury must not clown around as he did in his first confrontation with Usyk at Kingdom Arena in March 2024, try to establish his jab with authority and not allow Usyk to get inside him and score. To do this, Fury requires superior maneuverability. The issue is Fury has shown up for this bout with an overgrown beard and an extra 19 pounds over the 262 pounds he weighed in his first bout. Fury has to be able to move around the ring, and cut it off effectively. Usyk will try to control the ring, and score for points. Power overhand leads and hooks could stagger Fury and take him down earlier than expected, and even take him out if he cannot out of the way. Fury has not demonstrated the ability to outpoint, outwork or outthink Usyk, not has Fury been able to manhandle, intimidate or bully Usyk.
The latest weigh-in confrontation had Usyk and Fury in an eleven minutes stare down. One question has been the replacement of ill judge Fernando Barbosa with either Steve Weisfeld or Ignacio Robles. Usyk can make it easy by taking the judging out of the bout. Fury should make a better accounting of himself. However, considering Fury came in at a higher weight, his odds of winning on one scorecard are diminished. Usyk has enough ability to outpoint a blubbery Fury at this point in both of their careers. Fury is more likely to be cautious with Usyk the second time around. If he throws he throws caution to the wind, instead of a possibly close bout Fury could get stopped or knocked out.
When Andy Ruiz went up from 268 pounds to 283 pounds for the Anthony Joshua heavyweight title rematch, Ruiz looked obese. Fury will do better this time though, as he will be fighting more seriously. It is just with the extra weight, it is hard to take Fury seriously for the rematch.
However, Fury is less likely to underestimate his opponent this time, as top middleweight contender Jaime Munguia did with undefeated unknown Frenchman Bruno Serace last weekend in Tijuana, Munguia getting knocked out in his hometown. The 26-0-2 Serace, whose record appeared somewhat padded, has only five knockouts as a professional, and had never been seen outside of France,
The World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association, and International Boxing Organization world heavyweight titles will be at stake. Daniel Dubois has acquired the International Boxing Federation World heavyweight title.
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Undercard Predictions
Ishmael Davis (The Black Panther) win 12 Serhii Bohachuk, Super Welterweights
Rhys Edwards Win 10 Peter McGrail, Featherweights
Isaac Lowe (The Westgate Warrior) Draw 10 Lee McGregor, Featherweights
Vacant WBC International heavyweight title
Daniel Lapin KO 9 Dylan Colin, Light Heavyweights
Vacant IBF International Light Heavyweight title
Moses Itauma KO 8 Dempsey McKean, heavyweights
WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight title
Andrii Novytskyi (Rampage) TKO 7 Edgar Ramirez, Heavyweights
WBC International Heavyweight title
Johnny Fisher (The Romford Bull) KO 10 David Allen, Heavyweights
Mohammad Alakel Win 4 Joshua Ocampo, Lightweights|
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