Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury are hours away from their hugely anticipated rematch and this huge boxing showdown has garnered plenty of chatter.
The ‘Gypsy King’ will be out for revenge after being dealt his first professional defeat back in May, as Usyk claimed victory on points to become the first undisputed champion the heavyweight division since Lennox Lewis at the start of the millennium.
Though undisputed honours are not on the line after the Ukrainian vacated the IBF title, it promises to be another huge night in Saudi Arabia as Fury looks to reclaim the WBC belt he first won by beating Deontay Wilder in 2020.
And ahead of the rematch, the biggest names from the world of sport have made their predictions.
Mike Tyson
The boxing legend, who lost his fight against Jake Paul last month, has respect for OIeksandr Usyk but is sticking with his sort-of namesake.
“Usyk is the best heavyweight in the world at the moment. But I’m going for Fury to beat him," he told DAZN. "Why? Because I’m a fan. Because his father gave him my name. I’m not abandoning him now.”
Roy Jones Jr
However, former multi-time champion Roy Jones Jr disagrees with 'Iron Mike'.
“Well it’s a very tough predicament for both of them," he said. "You never really can tell how things are going to shape out.
“But to me, Fury is one of the best guys at coming back and making adjustments.If he goes out there and is methodical and does everything Usyk does, he’ll beat him again."
Lennox Lewis
Former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis is also picking Usyk to emerge as the winner.
“Well, I cannot go against Usyk. Oleksandr Usyk has proven himself time and time again, and he’s still undefeated," he told Box Nation. "It really comes down to who boxes the best. Who’s smart in the ring.
“I didn’t think Tyson Fury was smart in the first fight. I think he played around a little bit too much and allowed Oleksandr Usyk to really pile up the points.
“Oleksandr Usyk is a difficult opponent. He moves all the time, he’s always throwing punches, he’s in great shape, and that’s hard to beat.”
Anthony Joshua
Former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua also believes the Ukrainian will reign again.
“I think it’s going to be a tough fight early on and then I feel like Usyk will edge it again, “ Joshua told Queensberry Promotions. “He’s a class operator and I feel like Usyk’s one of the best out there. That’s why I think he’ll win.”
Daniel Dubois
And Daniel Dubois, the current IBF heavyweight champion after beating Joshua in September, wants Fury to gain a measure of revenge but can’t see past Usyk.
“Something in my heart tells me Usyk will pull it off again,” he said. “As a fellow Brit I want Tyson to win, because of everything he has done in the game.
“You have to respect that. But something is telling me that Usyk is going to do it again. Usyk just has luck on his side and he has skills. He has the backing of his people and is fighting for his country.”
Amir Khan
“Good fight. I think this time Fury knows what mistakes he made in the first fight. He knows that he can’t stand in front of a strong Usyk," the former unified light-welterweight champion stated on BoxNation. "Usyk still has a lot of power, and he’s felt Usyk’s power this time, knowing that Usyk has come up a weight and still holds that power.
“So, I think Fury is going to be one step ahead. Whenever Fury comes back in a rematch, he is always much better so he could probably stop Usyk towards the later rounds.”
Joseph Parker
“I think Tyson’s mindset has changed coming into this fight. I feel that if you have a different mindset, that can bring a lot of changes. I believe Tyson can beat Usyk on a points decision, but it’s a tough one. I’m siding with Tyson, but I think it’s a points decision.”
Tony Bellew
Tony Bellew has been in the ring with Usyk and is tipping his former opponent to improve his record against Fury.
“I can’t look past Usyk. He outboxes him this time and probably ends up winning on points. The first fight surprised me a little bit as Usyk went on the front foot from the first bell and he was actually fighting like he was the bigger man.
“I think that might've shocked Fury a little bit.
“Now Usyk knows he can hurt Fury and also be fine up close, he’ll be more confident here, but I still think he’ll go on the outside and box him on the back foot.
“Fury has no choice but to be more aggressive this time around, but those tactics can play into Usyk’s hands, and I think he’ll go 2-0 against Fury and do it unanimously this time.”
Derek Chisora
Meanwhile, Derek Chisora is former opponent of both Usyk and Fury but can't see a win for the latter.
“[Usyk] is still the same, bro. It’s going to be a good fight, we’re going to see a little bit of difference, but you have to understand: Tyson will come a little bit different, but Usyk will come a little bit different [as well].
“But as the scales hit right now, my money’s still edging on Usyk.”
Johnny Nelson
Former WBO world champion, now a boxing pundit for Sky Sports, Johnny Nelson sees a more focused Tyson Fury this time but has predicted a OIeksandr Usyk victory.
"This time, Tyson’s been a lot more serious," he told GIVEMESPORT. "A lot more focused. I think he’ll do a better job, but I also think Usyk will too."
Eddie Hearn
After initially picking Usyk, the boxing promoter has changed his prediction to Fury based on a "sneaky feeling".
"I expect another really, really close fight on Saturday. I'm picking Tyson Fury, for many reasons," Eddie Hearn told Matchroom Boxing. "I'm channelling my inner calm to him because obviously of the potential of what might come and the fact that we're British as well.
🗣️ "I'm going Tyson Fury on points now!" - @EddieHearn swaps his main event prediction 🍿
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) December 18, 2024
Full interview: https://t.co/SFzU4Muygj#UsykFury2 | @DAZNBoxing | #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/0Looc4wErA
"But I've just got a sneaky feeling. I dunno, you just start buying into the pre-fight build up. I saw the stuff yesterday.
"I thought he looked very relaxed, Usyk talking real cocky, real, real different this time.
"I don't know if that's good or bad but I'm going Tyson Fury and I'm going Tyson Fury on points."
