Seconds out, the big men are back!
Dubbed the “Rage on the Red Sea”, Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua head to Saudi Arabia on August 20 in a rematch for the unified heavyweight world titles.
Usyk won a convincing decision victory against the former champion last September in north London, grabbing the IBF, WBA and WBO titles away from the Briton in style.
But with a rematch clause triggered, we’re set to do it all over again in Jeddah this summer as “AJ” attempts to become a three-time heavyweight world champion.
Saudi Arabia have won this fight by throwing millions of dollars at the two fighters, with Joshua returning to the Kingdom for the first time since a December 2019 win over Andy Ruiz Jr. – also in a rematch following defeat in the first.
Will it be repeat or revenge by the Red Sea?
Usyk v Joshua Free Bets & Enhanced Odds
We’re here to take a look at some of the early odds for the five outcomes inside the ring on August 20.
Oleksandr Usyk by Decision or Technical Decision at 9/5 with bet365
An exact repeat of last September’s schooling from Oleksandr Usyk prices up well at 9/5.
The Ukrainian dominated Joshua behind the jab, using his feet perfectly and landing flurries of pin-point and spiteful combinations throughout the 12 championship rounds.
Usyk’s climb from cruiserweight bodes well for his ability to move around the ring nimbly, avoiding the heavy artillery that “AJ” is more than capable of firing back.
It was by no means a boring fight last year, but Usyk has the talent to turn this rematch into a pretty standard spectacle by hitting and not getting hit back.
You could argue that Usyk still hasn’t proved his power in the heavyweight division, being unable to stop Dereck Chisora and Anthony Joshua in his two most recent fights, meaning he has won five of his last eight on the scorecards.
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Usyk to win by decision or technical decision
A repeat of what happened when these two met for the first time
At 9/5 a £10 bet would return £28
Joshua v Usyk 2
August 20, 2022
10:00 pm GMT+1
Oleksandr Usyk by KO TKO or Disqualification at 11/4 with bet365
There were moments towards the end of the first fight where it looked like Usyk was going to turn the screw and stop Joshua.
It was more combination work than one-shot bangers that were catching the Briton off guard inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and Team Usyk will take encouragement that they can hurt Joshua.
With Joshua’s career at the top of the heavyweight tree very much hanging in the balance, the Londoner will be forced to roll the dice a little more in the closing stages if he is losing the fight again.
If Usyk has dominated through to rounds 9 or 10, then the door could open for Usyk to get the stoppage if Joshua begins taking risks.
Usyk has some good KO wins on his record – against Tony Bellew and Marco Huck most notably – and 11/4 says he can gain the 14 stoppage win of his career in Saudi Arabia.
Usyk to win by KO, TKO or disqualification
Usyk to knock out Joshua
At 11/4 a £10 bet would return £37.50
Joshua v Usyk 2
August 20, 2022
10:00 pm GMT+1
Anthony Joshua by Decision or Technical Decision at 4/1 with bet365
The last time Anthony Joshua fought in Saudi Arabia, he avenged a loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. via a punch-perfect display off the back foot over 12 rounds.
Granted, Oleksandr Usyk is an entirely different kettle of fish to the podgy American, but the former world champion will take heart knowing he has that kind of disciplined performance in his artillery.
And – without sounding too cynical – boxing is well known for it’s dodgy scorecards on occasions and a hunger for trilogies, so if it’s tight, will “AJ” be given the nod?
Let’s hope there is little controversy in Jeddah.
That win over Ruiz Jr. and another against a stubborn Joseph Parker are the only two wins Joshua has on the scorecards, so the price of 4/1 is reasonable as an outside pick.
Joshua to win by decision or technical decision
Joshua to get the decision and revenge on Usyk
At 4/1 a £10 bet would return £50
Joshua v Usyk 2
August 20, 2022
10:00 pm GMT+1
Anthony Joshua by KO TKO or Disqualification at 4/1 with bet365
Under the watchful eye of new trainer Robert Garcia, Anthony Joshua’s best shot at beating Oleksandr Usyk appears to be by brute power.
The problem is, this is easier said than done.
Usyk is the master of slipping, defence and disguise and will counter any of Joshua’s mistakes in Jeddah, so the notion of Joshua just being able to walk through the Ukrainian looks unlikely.
But, if during this camp Joshua has worked on finding better angles and combinations to unload his power, then there is a chance he can break the guard of Usyk and reclaim his gold.
Joshua has stopped the likes of Kubrat Pulev, Alexander Povetkin, Dillian Whyte, Wladimir Klitschko and Carlos Takam, racking up an impressive 22 stoppages in 24 wins.
Joshua to win by KO, TKO or disqualifiction
Joshua to knockout Usyk
At 4/1 a £10 bet would return £50
Joshua v Usyk 2
August 20, 2022
10:00 pm GMT+1
Draw or Technical Draw at 20/1 with bet365
We saw it pretty recently with Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, so why not again?
The scorecards of the original fight read 117–112, 116–112 and 115–113, so a round or two for Joshua instead of Usyk in the eyes of a couple of the judges and we were pretty close to a draw in north London.
If Joshua can enjoy better pockets of success in the rounds then there is no reason why this fight may prove hard to score and split.
Draw or techinical draw
A fight that cannot be split between the judges
At 20/1 a £10 bet would return £210
Joshua v Usyk 2
August 20, 2022
10:00 pm GMT+1
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