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Boxing - Fury vs Usyk: A Historic Heavyweight Showdown

Mark your calendars for a monumental clash in the boxing world! 

In one corner, we have Tyson Fury, a boxing world marvel known for his tough presence and unbeatable energy. Across the ring stands Oleksandr Usyk, a movement and tactical precision maestro.  

This isn’t just another title fight; it’s a historic event. For the first time since 1999, the heavyweight division could witness an undisputed champion in the four-belt era. At this unprecedented moment, the WBO, WBA, IBF, and WBC titles converge on one electrifying night. The Ring heavyweight title is also at stake in this massive bout. 

Fury, known as ‘The Gypsy King’, has reigned over the WBC heavyweight division since 2020, a testament to his skill, resilience, and larger-than-life persona. Usyk, the Ukrainian powerhouse, has held the WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight titles since his clinical performance against Anthony Joshua in September 2021 at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He is also the current holder of the Ring heavyweight title, underscoring his position at the peak of heavyweight boxing. 

Saturday, 18th May 2024, is set to be etched in the annals of boxing history. The city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will host its latest heavyweight battle, and fans are buzzing with anticipation. 

Will Fury’s strength and unorthodox style prevail, or will Usyk’s speed and strategic acumen secure victory? This is the kind of fight that legends are made of, and you can be part of it all at BetVision.io. 

Dive in for detailed fighter profiles and an in-depth buildup to the night that could redefine heavyweight boxing for years. 

Tyson Fury: The Towering Titan

Standing at an imposing 6’9” and boasting an 85” reach, Tyson Fury, at 35 years of age, is a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division. Hailing from Manchester, England, ‘The Gypsy King’ has built a formidable record of 34-0-1. His orthodox stance and height have been key to his dominance within the ring, a fact borne out by the 24 stoppages he’s achieved in his 35 fights, four of which came in his last five bouts. 

Fury’s boxing resume is simply impressive. His crowning achievement came in 2015 when he dethroned Wladimir Klitschko to become the unified champion, holding multiple world titles in the heavyweight division. After a hiatus from the sport, during which he relinquished his titles, Fury made a triumphant return in 2018. A Split Decision draw marked his comeback against Deontay Wilder in their first encounter, a scar he later avenged with a resounding TKO victory in their 2020 rematch to reclaim the WBC heavyweight crown. 

Since then, Fury has defended the WBC heavyweight title three times, with another stoppage victory over Wilder in their third bout, and further victories against Dillian Whyte, and Derek Chisora. His most recent bout, a controversial Split Decision win against Francis Ngannou, was a non-title fight still stirring up conversation in the boxing community. 

With the stage set in Riyadh, Fury is preparing for the fourth defence of his WBC heavyweight title. 

Oleksandr Usyk: The Strategic Mastermind

With a height of 6’3” and a reach of 78 inches, Oleksandr Usyk may not tower over the heavyweight division, but his presence is no less commanding. At 37, hailing from Simferopol, Crimea, Ukraine, Usyk has an unblemished professional record of 21-0-0, with a southpaw stance. His agility and sharp reflexes in the ring speak to his moniker “The Cat”. 

Since August 2022, The Ring magazine has lauded Usyk as the world’s best active pound-for-pound boxer, underscoring his strategic insight. His journey from Olympic gold medallist at London 2012 to the professional ranks saw him dominate the cruiserweight division, eventually becoming its first-ever four-belt undisputed champion by defeating Murat Gassiev in July 2018. 

Following his cruiserweight supremacy, which was capped off with a knockout victory against Tony Bellew in November 2018, Usyk ambitiously moved to the heavyweight class, holding an untarnished record of 16-0-0. His heavyweight campaign has been impressive, with five wins, including notable victories over Chazz Witherspoon and Derek Chisora, a double triumph over Anthony Joshua, and a knockout against Daniel Dubois. His victory over Dubois last August marked his second successful defence of his WBA, WBO, and IBF titles. 

As he steps into the ring, Usyk’s eyes are set on a historic achievement: to become only the third male boxer to be crowned undisputed champion in two different weight classes. Should he prevail, he would also be the first to claim the undisputed title in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. 

Schedule

A night brimming with fistic fireworks sets the stage for an exhilarating schedule leading up to Fury’s heavyweight title clash with Usyk. The undercard, featuring a roster of compelling matchups, will commence at 16:00 UTC, 19:00 local time (AST) in Riyadh, setting the tempo for an evening of high-stakes boxing. 

It’s important to note that while boxing fights are known for their fluid start times, depending on the outcomes of the undercard bouts, organisers are targeting an earlier ring walk for the main event compared to previous major boxing showcases in Riyadh. The aim is to have Fury and Usyk hit the ring sometime after 22:00 UTC (01:00 local time (AST), subject to the night’s unfolding drama. 

Undercard Lineup

The undercard lineup is as follows, starting with the opening bouts and leading up to the penultimate fight before the main event:

  • Moses Itauma vs Ilja Mezencev (Heavyweight) 
  • David Nyika vs Michael Seitz (Cruiserweight) 
  • Isaac Lowe vs Hasibullah Ahmadi (Featherweight) 
  • Sergey Kovalev vs Robin Sirwan Safar (Cruiserweight) 
  • Mark Chamberlain vs Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab (Lightweight) 
  • Joe Cordina vs Anthony Cacace (IBF Super-Featherweight Titles) 
  • Jai Opetaia vs Mairis Briedis (IBF Cruiserweight Title) 

Clash of the Titans

Finally, as the undercard battles are settled and the victors are crowned, all roads lead to the main event: Fury vs Usyk. With the heavyweight division’s most coveted titles on the line, BetVision.io encourages fans to mark their calendars and prepare for a historic night that promises to deliver action, drama, and moments that will be discussed for years to come. 

The quest for an undisputed heavyweight champion has been a narrative filled with twists and turns. The title of undisputed has remained elusive for over two decades, with fans eagerly awaiting the fight to unify the division. Frank Warren, Fury’s co-promoter, has labelled it the “biggest of the 21st Century.” 

Adding to the tension, this fight has been marred by delays. Originally slated for 17th February 2024, the bout was postponed due to an injury Fury sustained in training. With both fighters now rested, healed, and ready to prove themselves in the ring, the stage is set for a showdown that has been years in the making.  

Odds & Markets

As the excitement for Fury vs Usyk builds, BetVision.io is ready with a comprehensive suite of betting odds and markets for this heavyweight clash.  

Winner Market

Choose the winner of this colossal fight. Tyson Fury is the slight favourite, with odds at 1.8, whereas Oleksandr Usyk is at 1.91 in a tight race between two boxing titans. 

1x2 Market

Similar to the Winner market but adding the possibility of a Draw (X). Once again, Fury edges out as the slight favourite. Including a draw option adds an extra layer to the betting experience, accommodating those who expect a closely matched bout that could potentially end without a definitive winner. 

Will the Fight Go the Distance?

For those speculating whether the fight will be settled by decision, the odds are currently set at 1.4, suggesting a strong possibility that the judges’ scorecards will come into play. Both fighters have shown they can go far, making this a particularly intriguing market. 

Winning Methods

Dive into the specifics of how the fight will conclude. Will it be by Decision, Knockout, or Draw? Fury’s odds are at 2.8 for a victory by Decision, while Usyk’s are a close 2.75. If you believe the fight will end with a Knockout, Fury stands at 4.75 and Usyk at 5.33. The odds for a Draw are currently 16.0, offering a profitable option for those predicting an evenly matched fight. 

*Odds are correct as of the time of the post and are subject to change. 

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