Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk: Complete fight card, betting odds, viewing options, & prediction
By Jacob Rodriguez
Photo Credit: Top Rank Promotions (@trboxing)/X
The best two heavyweights in the world will clash this Saturday in the first undisputed heavyweight title match in 25 years. On May 18, on this Top Rank Promotions card live from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) will battle Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24KOs) to determine who the sole champion of the heavyweight division will be. Usyk, 37, from Ukraine, owns three major world heavyweight titles. Tyson Fury, 35, from the United Kingdom, brings the WBC version of the heavyweight title and the lineal world heavyweight title.
Below is the complete fight card, betting odds, viewing options, and my prediction on who is most likely to win this match and etch their name in boxing history books.
Photo Credit: Tyson Fury Instagram (@tysonfury)
Main Event:
Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk, twelve rounds for the Undisputed Heavyweight World Title
Co-Main Event:
Jai Opetaia vs. Mairis Briedis II, twelve rounds, for the vacant IBF and Opetaia’s Ring Magazine Cruiserweight World Titles
Under Cards:
·     Joe Cordina vs. Anthony Cacace, twelve rounds, for Cordina’s IBF Junior Lightweight World Title
·     Frank Sanchez vs. Agit Kabayel, twelve rounds, WBC Heavyweight Title Eliminator
·     Moses Itauma vs. Ilja Mezencev, ten rounds, Vacant WBO Intercontinental Heavyweight Title
·     Mark Chamberlain vs. Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab, 12 rounds, Vacant WBC Silver Lightweight Title
·     Sergey Kovalev vs. Robin Sirwan Safar, ten rounds, Cruiserweight
·     Daniel Lapin vs. Octavio Pudivtr, ten rounds, Vacant WBA Intercontinental Light Heavyweight Title
Odds according to OddsChecker.com
·     FanDuel: Fury -105, Usyk +110, Draw, +1200
·     DraftKings SportsBook: Fury -120, Usyk +100
·     Bets 365: Fury -125, Usyk +100, Draw +1200
·     BetMGM: Fury 120, Usyk +110, Draw +1200
How to watch:
Saturday, May 18, 12 p.m. ET, 9Â a.m. PT
US: ESPN+ PPV, PPV.com
UK: DAZN PPV, Sky Sports Box Office, and TNT Sports Box Office
The main event ring-walks start around 5:30 p.m. ET, 2:30 p.m. PT.
Prediction:
Photo Credit: Tyson Fury Instagram (@tysonfury)
It is difficult to predict a definitive winner in this fight. Each fighter faces the best fighter they have ever fought in the heavyweight division. Fury has never faced a heavyweight with the mobility and skills the Usyk possesses in recent matches. Conversely, Usyk has never faced a heavyweight as skilled as Fury. Fury can box and is defensively sound, making it difficult for him to hit in exchanges. Fury has a solid chin and surprisingly got up when Deontay Wilder dropped him in the twelfth round of their first fight.
I expect Usyk to move and stick and win the first few rounds. Fury is intelligent and will time Usyk’s pesky jab and counter with an overhand right. He will eventually corner the more undersized heavyweight and make him pay in the close exchanges. Fury's team knows that Usyk doesn't like to get hit to the body, so expect Fury to hit Usyk to the body. I can’t disregard Usyk’s resiliency and determination. Therefore, expect this fight to go the distance and Fury to win a unanimous decision, becoming the new undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.