Joshua VS Usyk: Bets and odds on the fight

Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBA Super, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles in a rematch against Britain's Anthony Joshua. Tentatively the fight will take place on August 20, 2022 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

We've prepared betting odds, as well as an exclusive prediction for the Joshua vs Usyk fight.

Usyk to win

33/50

Joshua to win

87/50

The organisation of the fight was frozen due to Oleksandr joining the Ukrainian territorial defence, but the boxer left the country on 26 March 2022, having decided to prepare for the fight.

Odds for Joshua vs Usyk

The Ukrainian not only impressed, but simply stunned analysts. In the rematch he became the favourite, and with a serious advantage. You can bet on Usyk win with odds of 33/50 .

Joshua barely recovered from his first career defeat against Ruiz, but immediately lost again. Analysts suspect that the boxer may be severely mentally broken. The odds on Joshua to win are 87/50 .

Statistics and physical data

There was a lot of talk about the Briton's anthropometrical advantages over Usyk: Joshua is 7 centimetres taller and his arms span is 10 centimetres bigger.

However, in the end, Anthony's enormous size played against him. 

Olexandr Usyk

• Joint WBA Super, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight champion of the world. 

• 19 fights, 19 wins, 0 losses. 

Usyk to win

Bet

33/50

Olexander's tour of the heavyweight division is well underway. Three winning fights and a full understanding of how to behave during a protracted heavyweight shoot-out. Of course, the Ukrainian's preparation for the rematch has been complicated by many outside factors. According to his manager, Olexander even lost some weight amidst the stress. 

But the boxer's detractors should not expect that he will fail the training camp and will not be able to give the Briton a competitive rematch. On the contrary, Usyk is now maximally motivated and ready to bring the belt back to his home country. 

What to expect from Usyk in his rematch with Joshua? 

More amazing footwork. We will have to move much more actively, especially in the first rounds. If before Anthony was trying to drag the fight and outbid Olexander in the late rounds, now, on the contrary, he will be pushing forward.  

Usyk's most successful tricks in the first fight were left overhand and sideways, as well as a series of punches from the dodge. The tactic was simple - not to try and play exchange with the huge Brit, but to shift the emphasis towards not the strongest, but accurate "invisible" punches. 

At the same time it is important for Olexander not to give away the centre of the ring to his opponent. The shift from the line of attack should be accompanied by constant counterattacks, and not turn into a prolonged defence. 

Usyk's chances against Joshua

The odds are as high as they were in the first fight. Of course, Usyk will fight in a completely new reality and he has to give 200%. If he survives the first six or seven rounds he will start to outbox Joshua in his usual manner. 

As it turned out, the Ukrainian's punching power is enough to shock the giant and make him go to the ropes. Joshua gets lost at close range, and that is exactly what Olexander will take advantage of.

The principles remain the same: Usyk will confront Joshua with his tactical mind and phenomenal speed for a heavyweight. 

Usyk's last five fights

Usyk has won all his professional fights. 

Anthony Joshua

• Former holder of the WBA Super, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles. Awarded Order of the British Empire.

• 26 fights, 24 wins, 2 losses.

Joshua to win

Bet

87/50

The once formidable and athletic boxer has lost his halo of invincibility in the eyes of analysts. His defeat to Ruiz was a turning point in his career. The boxer did not even take a long break and fought a return fight seven months later (he wanted to go earlier, but had to deal with organizational issues). The rematch victory, and then the fight against Usyk was supposed to bring Anthony back to the top of the division. But, as we remember, those plans were thwarted by one underdog.

The problem is that the Brit's camp never instilled in him a serious attitude towards underdogs. Confident in his monolithic fists, Joshua continued to work on his short knockout streak and did not count on the fact that the fight with Usyk might not go his way. 

Obviously, the rematch is his last chance to claim the titles listed. In case of defeat, the way to the top will be closed. 

What can we expect from Joshua in a fight with Usyk? 

Aggression, aggression and again aggression. He says it openly and honestly:

Of course, many fans immediately stated that this was a deceptive manoeuvre, that Joshua was unlikely to be so dangerous in the first rounds and would not pick up the pace. However, he has no other option. He won't be able to outbid Olexander in the later rounds, won't be able to outpace his punches and will run out of steam much quicker.

After the defeat, the Briton bemoaned himself for being so inactive early in the fight. This time he will do his best not to make the same mistake. 

Joshua's chances of winning 

Who definitely should never be quickly written off is Anthony. Remember his rematch against Ruiz. The Briton showed that he can not just change the gameplan in a return fight, but he can make his opponent follow it. 

The problem is that Usyk is not a straightforward Mexican shirt unable to rearrange himself during the fight. Olexander is prepared for any eventuality and is well aware that Joshua is unlikely to jump over his head.

His main chance is a knockout in the first to the seventh round. Otherwise we're looking at a repeat of the first fight with a slight points advantage for the Ukrainian. 

Joshua's last five fights

In his last five fights Anthony scored three wins: two early and one by decision of the judges.  

Usyk to win

33/50

Joshua to win

87/50

Usyk vs Joshua: tips for the bout

We must admit that betting on Usyk as the underdog in the first fight was pretty dangerous. After all, Joshua seemed to be too big. Besides, after testing him with much more powerful heavyweights he got stronger, and Olexander did not look frightening in front of him. 

It will be a long story and betting on the total rounds seems to be an interesting option. This time it's more in favour of the Ukrainian. Usyk showed us what we've been missing in this division for such a long time. In addition to Tyson Fury there is a new fast and clever puncher among the heavyweight division.

Joshua wants to be between nimble (fast and accurate) and strong (unbeatable punchers). So far it's not working out so well: a rematch with Ruiz and a win over the dullest Bulgarian, Pulev, is not yet a sign of class.

Olexander is unlikely to allow himself to be shaken or show the slightest weakness or insecurity. His victory will clearly be a much brighter event, and not just for the boxing world. He understands the level of responsibility and is ready to repeat the first fight minute by minute.

So the tips are total rouns over 9,5 and Usyk to win

Total rounds Over 9,5

Odds

67/100

Usyk to win

Bet

33/50

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