The countdown is almost over for one of the most eagerly anticipated fights of 2022.
After Oleksandr Usyk dethroned Anthony Joshua in London last September, the Briton has a chance to regain his heavyweight titles in Saudi Arabia this Saturday.
Joshua has a history of rematching in the Kingdom; he avenged his shock loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019 by winning in Diriyah, but Usyk is a different animal.
The Ukrainian is unbeaten across two weight divisions and, if that didn’t make him dangerous enough, is fighting for his proud nation during difficult times.
Will it be repeat or revenge in Saudi Arabia?
Let’s take a look at our top five betting tips for Saturday’s fight.
1. Oleksandr Usyk to win by KO/TKO or Disqualification at 15/8 with bet365
The champion looks like he has left no stone unturned in his latest training camp.
Images have emerged of Usyk’s sparring partners and they underline how the Ukrainian is preparing for any and every version of Anthony Joshua.
Usyk has also had another year to “grow in” to the heavyweight division and he looks to have filled out well and strong ahead of the rematch, adding more power to a record that already boasts 13 knockouts.
Usyk was close to stopping Joshua late in their first outing and on neutral ground may well have the confidence to go through the gears a little more as the fight rumbles on.
2. Oleksandr Usyk to win in Rounds 7-12 at 4/1 (boosted) with bet365
If Usyk is to stop Joshua, then the second half of the fight looks most likely.
Joshua received post-fight criticism for not using his size and throwing enough power punches against Usyk in the first contest, so it’s reasonable to think that the Briton might come out of the blocks a little quicker in Jeddah, meaning Usyk will bide his time in countering.
Joshua’s gas tank has also come under scrutiny, and if he can’t hurt Usyk early in the fight then it’s questionable to see how much juice he has left down the stretch.
A Usyk stoppage between Rounds 7-12 look to be priced VERY well – eight of Usyk’s 13 KO’s have come in Round 7 or later.
3. Oleksandr Usyk to score a knockdown at 11/10 with bet365
At a touch above Evens, Usyk to score a knockdown in this fight looks tempting.
Usyk now looks like a heavyweight rather than a jumped up cruiserweight, and Joshua has tasted the canvas enough times in his career to assume that the Ukrainian is able to hurt him.
We are assuming that Joshua will be forced to go for broke and roll the dice at some point in this fight and that’s when the knockdown becomes most likely.
4. Both fighters to score a knockdown at 15/4 with bet365
Joshua won’t just lie down against Usyk.
He has a history of up-and-downers – against Wladimir Klitschko and Andy Ruiz Jr. – so we know he has the ability to hurt a fighter as well as getting pinned himself.
Under the new tutelage of Robert Garcia, a more powerful, spiteful version of “AJ” is predicted, if not expected in Saudi.
5. Oleksandr Usyk to win in Round 11 at 22/1 with bet365
If Joshua has emptied the tank trying to break the guard of Usyk, then the “Championship Rounds” become very valuable for the champion to get the stoppage.
Usyk turned the screw in rounds 11 and 12 in London last September and he’ll be even more confident in getting the late stoppage this time around.
Joshua has only seen the 12th round three times in his career so his conditioning can be questioned at such a high pace.