Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 - Boxing's biggest names predict who wins huge heavyweight rematch

We are less than a week away from the huge rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, live on DAZN PPV, and it the fight everyone is talking about.

Fury goes into the bout looking to avenge the first loss of his professional career when the pair met earlier this year, with Usyk's three heavyweight titles on the line. 

It is an encounter that has spilt sporting opinions on who will come out as the victor on Saturday December 21, DAZN News wraps up all the key Usyk vs. Fury predictions from the biggest names in boxing. 

Roy Jones Jr, multi-time champion 

“Well it’s a very tough predicament for both of them. 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.”

• Read next I Usyk vs. Fury 2: Complete fight guide

Mike Tyson, boxing heavyweight legend

“Usyk is the best heavyweight in the world at the moment. But I’m going for Fury to beat him.

"Why? Because I’m a fan. Because his father gave him my name. I’m not abandoning him now.”

Darren Barker, former champion and DAZN pundit 

"I watched it again the other day, I think when the first fight initially finished, I knew there was going to be a rematch," Barker said. 

"I have to say I strongly favoured Usyk, but having watched it back, I probably lean slightly towards Usyk, but I’m not confident in my prediction."

Josh Taylor, former undisputed world champion

"I’m dead excited. I find it hard not to pick Usyk. We saw what skills he had in the first 12 rounds between them, and he used them.

"Fury struggles with smaller, agile opponents. This time around Usyk will know what to expect and outbox him, Tyson may wise up and make it more physical using size and natural weight, ugly even, for Usyk.

"Usyk is probably expecting it, and I’m going Usyk again on points.

Francis Ngannou, former opponent of Tyson Fury

"I think it’s going to be a huge fight.

"Based on the first fight, I think it’s really hard to not give it to Usyk.

"But I’ll go with Tyson."

Ricky Hatton, British boxing icon 

"Tyson needs to impose the height, reach, and weight advantages he has but didn’t use in the last fight.

"He allowed the smaller Usyk to move him around the ring. Tyson should stand his ground, use his weight and reach and take it to Usyk this time. And have just one voice in the corner: SugarHill Steward."

Johnny Fisher, British heavyweight, fighting on the card

"I'm backing Great Britain as always. Tyson Fury has done a lot for me, a small amount for him, but a massive amount for me and my career when I was able to spar him. 

"Regardless of that, I think the natural attributes he's got and if he invests to the body a lot more in this fight, because he was really hurting Usyk when he did, he can get a stoppage in rounds six to eight." 

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport promoter 

"If Fury wins – and I'm actually leaning towards him, I've had a little bit of a [switch] – Fury could fight AJ [Anthony Joshua] for the unified world heavyweight title. 

"The biggest fight ever in the sport. Wembley, Riyadh, wherever." 

Johnny Nelson, ex WBO Cruiserweight champion 

"I believe Tyson would have beaten Usyk in the first fight, but he didn't. And so it's coming in heavier, understanding what's in front of him. And so therefore, I think his intent, his concentration will be a lot better.

"You've got the two best technically minded headways fighting each other in the world. Usyk was hurt as well in the first fight, and he showed his gut. He came through, dug it out, and then turned it around and did the same to Tyson.

"I'm leaning towards Usyk, but I might change my mind tomorrow. Because I've just seen Usyk and I'm like, he looks relaxed, he looks big, he looks confident, he looks comfortable."

Fabio Wardley, former sparring partner to both 

"I think Usyk will go into the fight with the mindset, like he has done with all of his fights, that just narrow focus, straight on target, on point, not missing the beat, not missing the step.

"Maybe Fury will say that his camp wasn’t ideal, or he wasn’t in the best place or the best shape... who knows.

"So maybe the loss was what he needed to go right 100 per cent back in and maybe he comes out differently. But if I was to put money on it, I’d say it goes pretty much the same way."

Lennox Lewis, ex undisputed heavyweight champion 

“Well, I cannot go against Usyk. Oleksandr Usyk has proven himself time and time again, and he’s still undefeated. 

“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.”

Amir Khan, Olympic gold medal boxer

“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, 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 toward the later rounds.”
 

Joseph Parker, current heavyweight star 

"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." 

Getty Images

Tony Bellew, DAZN pundit and former champion 
 

“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 backfoot. 

“Fury has no choice but to be more aggressive this time around, but those tactics can he play into Usyk’s hands, and I think he’ll go 2-0 against Fury and do it unanimously this time.”

Dillian Whyte, former Tyson Fury opponent 

"If I was Tyson Fury’s trainer I’d be telling him to go out there and be more aggressive against Usyk.

"In the same way that he fought Deontay Wilder the second time. So he needs to bring back the aggressor, and be the bully in there. If he does that, Fury can win the second fight." 

Anthony Crolla, former British boxer 

“You've got to make Uysk a favourite because of what went on in the first fight -Tyson arguably should have been stopped. 

"But Tyson looked like he had that fight won before the halfway point and was hurting Uysk a bit, but Uysk seems to always find a way. His biggest strength is how he adapts, he finds a way to win. 

"Ultimately, I think Tyson wins on points. Then it's controversial because do we have the rubber match?" 

Simon Jordan, talkSPORT host 

"The biggest thing for me with Tyson Fury is not what weight he comes in at. 

"It's about what state he comes in mentally because we've never seen Tyson Fury lose a fight. I don't think he drew the fight with Deontay Wilder, I think he won that fight, too, but we've never seen him have to come back from that kind of adversity. 

"That to me is the most telling thing about this fight. If Fury is in the zone, I think Fury wins this fight." 

• Read next I 'I boxed unbelievable!' - Tyson Fury hails performance against Oleksandr Usyk ahead of rematch

Anthony Joshua, current British heavyweight 

"I think it’s going to be a tough fight early on and then I feel like Usyk will edge it again.

"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.”

Shannon Briggs, former world champion 

"In the first fight, Fury was looking sharp early on, but that’s Usyk for you – he’s a machine! Usyk just doesn’t stop. Who could be in better shape than him? I don’t think there’s ever been another heavyweight in history that could be in better shape than Usyk.

"But this is a pick-’em fight. You can’t just say Usyk’s got this in the bag, you can’t count Fury out. We don’t know which Fury we’re gonna get.

"The man can box, he can press forward, he can dance around that ring. Fury can do whatever he feels like to get the win. He can switch to southpaw, go orthodox – it doesn’t matter. Who else in history could do that? Nobody does it like Fury.

George Groves, former British boxer 

“Based on the first fight, the wear and tear and mileage on both fighters, and where they are in their careers, Usyk is still the fresher fighter. 

“Usyk nearly stopped him in the first fight. He’s not the type to think, ‘I almost had him last time; one big shot will finish it.’  

“He knows it’s going to be a tough fight, as it always is for him. Usyk leaves no stone unturned, and I think it’s a clearer win for Usyk this time.”

Derek Chisora, former opponent of both Usyk and Fury 

"[Usyk] is still the same, bro. It’s gonna be a good fight, we’re gonna 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.”

Carl Frampton, former super bantamweight and featherweight champion 

“I fancy Fury. My mind hasn’t really swayed from start to finish, which is strange in a fight of this magnitude; I’ve been saying Fury from the start.

"I think Fury is in the zone now, he’s serious, he’s ready to fight. Both guys seem to be very, very confident. Both, I think, know it’s going to be a difficult fight.”

Joe Cordina, two-time featherweight champion 

“Fury, [rounds eight to 12], stoppage. He’ll struggle with the footwork of Usyk for the first half, and then he’ll just think: ‘I’ve got to get on it now.’ And the weight, the size will all come into play.”

Lauren Price, Welsh pro boxer 

“Fury obviously is massive and a great champion. But I can’t go against Usyk. He’s phenomenal – his ring IQ, everything really... Usyk by decision.”

Daniel Dubois, current IBF heavyweight champion 

"I'm still backing Fury. I hope our man does it. Usyk is capable. Fury should jump on him and smother him. 

"Fury is a slick boxer too, but it will be a great fight and I'll be out there calling on to fight the winner."

Joe Calzage, former undefeated super-middleweight champion 

"I think it’s a 50/50 fight and who can implement their game plan the best will win. I’m really looking forward to it and it will be as close as the first fight. I can’t decide."

 

Duke McKenzie, former world champion 

"It makes no difference what adjustments Tyson Fury made. I believe he is going to get KO’d this time by Usyk.

"When you’ve hit somebody and hurt them you get an inner confidence and knowing you can hurt them, it’s going to present itself at some point or another. I expect Usyk to close the show this time around."

Thomas Hauser, biographer of Muhammad Ali

"This is a tough one. Fury fought the wrong fight last time out, he was almost knocked out in the ninth round but he still came within one round of winning the fight.

"If Fury fights the right fight this time, and uses his massive size more effectively, he will win a decision."

Ronnie O'Sullivan, snooker legend 

"I am going for Tyson in this one.

"I'm only doing that because I heard his training camp for the first fight could have been better.

"This time around he seems in peak condition. If he has that extra five to 10 per cent he was lacking in the first fight that will probably make the difference this time around.

"I just think it will be an unbelieve fight."

Watch Usyk vs. Fury 2 on DAZN PPV - Buy Now

The Oleksandr Usyk/Tyson Fury rematch and full undercard is a DAZN Pay-Per-View (PPV) worldwide event and will cost £24.99 in the UK / $39.95 in the US. For prices in your region click here.

A PPV event means buying this fight night is a single one-off payment, with no subscription requirement or extra costs. Buying the Usyk vs. Fury 2 PPV on DAZN brings great benefits.

This includes a range of options to watch the fight, from the traditional commentary to watchalongs with True Geordie or ShowBizz; the best broadcast team including Kate Scott, Ade Oladiop, Andy Lee, Darren Barker and Eddie Hearn; and commentary in multiple languages (languages TBC).

The PPV also comes with a seven-day free trial of the whole DAZN platform. This provides access to action from the UEFA Women's Champions League, NFL, PDC Darts, LIV Golf, Super League Basketball and Saudi Pro League.

The Usyk vs. Fury fight and all DAZN content can be watched anywhere and everywhere on any device via the DAZN App. Watch on smart TV's, smartphones, tablets, games consoles, streaming devices and any device with a web browser.

Buy Usyk vs. Fury 2 PPV on DAZN now.

More Usyk vs. Fury 2 

• List of the 10 greatest heavyweight boxers of all time: Has Tyson Fury done enough to make the cut?
• Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 fight guide
• Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 undercard guide
• There's no fear there!' - Tyson Fury compares Oleksandr Usyk to threat of Deontay Wilder ahead of rematch
• Fury predicts specific ending to heavyweight title rematch
• 'He has to conquer his own self first!' - Lennox Lewis offers insight into Tyson Fury
• Usyk vs. Fury 2: World champion Daniel Dubois makes prediction for rematch
• Usyk vs. Fury 2 - Bernard Hopkins makes emphatic prediction for heavyweight rematch
• Tyson Fury reveals wife suffered miscarriage on eve of Oleksandr Usyk defeat