Slated for this weekend in Saudi Arabia, two heavyweight titans clash for all the gold at the Kingdom Arena. This matchup pits English WBC and Lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury against WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship. Initially slated for earlier this year in February, the bout was postponed as Fury sustained a facial injury during training. That said, the matchup was later rescheduled to this upcoming weekend as the two boxing big men vie for the ultimate prize. Both fighters enter this matchup with unblemished marks with Fury at 34-0 while “The Cat” Usyk holds a mark of 21-0. Of course, that means only one will leave the Arena with their record intact and with all the gold.
For this report, SBS will be going over some of the prop betting lines for this showdown, along with selected winners and some additional notes about boxing wagering and more.
| Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk | The Pick |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fury vs. Usyk | Tyson Fury | -120 | -120 | -120 |
| Fury to win by decision | Yes | +185 | +185 | +185 |
| Total knockdowns | Under 1.5 | -500 | -500 | -500 |
Analysis: As of this article’s writing, Fury comes into this showdown as the decent favorite over his opponent. Noted for his imposing physical stature (he stands a towering six-foot-nine), The Gypsy King is one of boxing’s most dominant stars. With a career mark of 34-0, he also boasts a stellar 24 knockouts. As of just last year, he was recognized as the world’s best active heavyweight fighter by multiple outlets and also as the sixth-best fighter pound-for-pound.
Of course, the orthodox champion has had some slippage as of late. While no man has been able to knock off Fury in his pro career, he is coming off a sloppy split decision win over MMA star Francis Ngannou. He would be wise to make sure he does not approach this match with The Cat in the same fashion. Prior to that though and after his draw with Deontay Wilder in 2018, the Gypsy King had won six fights in a row, with five coming by way of stoppage. His opponent, Usyk, is obviously no slouch and a fantastic fighter with 14 knockout wins of his own and also being recognized as a world champion in two separate weight classes. The former undisputed cruiserweight champion, perhaps the Ukrainian can surprise his opponent if he is ill-prepared for this title tilt.
Analysis: This is an interesting prop betting market as Fury is again coming off a messy split decision win over Ngannou. Of course, the champion has all the power to score a knockout, but he has yet to face an opponent of this caliber since Wilder back in 2021. Even then, Usyk’s record against the likes of Anthony Joshua and other stellar competition makes one think that this bout can go the distance. If that is the case, Fury’s conditioning will need to be at a premium for him to hold up against the former undisputed cruiserweight champion. With the added training time for this matchup, he should be in top shape for this showdown, especially given the huge stakes as perhaps the premier boxing showdown of 2024.
Additionally, while both fighters have never lost, the size advantage of Fury does leave one to think that he can at least hold The Cat at bay for this fight unless he makes a critical error or two. Regardless, a showdown of this caliber should go the distance with Fury holding the slight edge over his stellar foe.
Analysis: Another interesting prop betting market, this matchup features two opponents who have been rarely knocked down in their respective careers. That said, Fury’s last matchup did show some glaring holes in his armor as he was knocked down in the third round of this fight against the powerful Ngannou. Even though he came into the bout as a 14-1 favorite, the former UFC Champion was able to stun Fury with a barrage of blistering blows. Of course, he also was knocked down in some of his stellar clashes with Wilder but was still able to rebound and win those bouts. Meanwhile, Usyk, his opponent, has also rarely been knocked down in his career, with his time in the heavyweight division being very effective.
Of course, Usyk did have a very close battle with Joshua in their rematch in August 2022 as the battle came down to a split decision in favor of the former. This bout has the makings of a matchup that should go the distance, with both fighters being able to stay off the mat.
Once you are all squared away regarding the latest boxing updates and news, make sure to tap into the awesome variety of information available to you only at SBS. Of course, for even more info on the topic covered here, check out the boxing betting sites rundown. On this page, you can learn more about the latest boxing betting markets, props, and more. Moreover, for those interested in maximizing their bets, the best bonus betting sites breakdown is a fantastic page where you can find a great catalog of the different bonus offers available to you. Finally, if you are someone always on the go, our best betting apps guide is a solid resource for you to learn more about the nuances of mobile betting and where it makes sense for you.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
Read Chris's ProfileAsk Chris about this guide:
