BOXING SATURDAY: The biggest heavyweight fight of the year lands in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night as Anthony Joshua rematches Oleksandr Usyk. Find out the BETDAQ recommendation ….


OLEKSANDR USYK V ANTHONY JOSHUA

The biggest heavyweight fight of the year lands in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night as Anthony Joshua rematches Oleksandr Usyk. In September 2021, we actually had very similar odds in London – only they were the other way around! This time Usyk is the favourite, trading 1.58 on BETDAQ Betting Exchange. For the first fight in London, Joshua started in and around 1.5 – it will be interesting to see which way the market goes in the build-up to the fight. Usually the late money pours on the UK fighter but Usyk was a clear winner last time. He totally outclassed Joshua.

I would pay a lot of attention to the weigh-ins on Friday here. Looking at the bits we’ve seen from both camps, it looks like Joshua is coming in to swing and go for the early knockout. I would suggest those are the only tactics that sees him win the fight. It’s exceptionally hard to see Joshua winning on points. Usyk knows this too, and he has been looking much bigger in the videos and photos he has posted on social media. I would suggest we might see some market movement after the weigh-in on Friday. A heavier Usyk is likely a good thing – more muscle to ride the early attacks from Joshua.

For anyone who looked at the first fight, it was clear to see that there was only one winner. Usyk totally out boxed Joshua – but that was always likely to happen. Usyk is one of the most talented boxers on the planet – the reason why Joshua went into that fight as favourite was of the weight advantage and Usyk’s inexperience at heavyweight. Joshua basically played into Usyk’s hands with his tactics – he thought he could out-box Usyk, and he was massively wrong.

The path to victory now is clear for Joshua. He knows he has to attack and use his weight and height advantage. Otherwise it will be another one way traffic win for Usyk. The opening six rounds of this fight are going to be exceptional – Joshua has no choice but to attack. The longer he waits, the less chance he has in the fight. It’s also worth noting that is Usyk comes in heavier, he will have more punching power and he might be able to KO Joshua early too. Joshua has to take the risks after all – we all know there’s no way he wins just “getting behind the jab.”

In the match odds market, it’s hard to see past Usyk to be honest. A Joshua KO is the only way he wins here – that’s trading around 3.9 which is a more appealing bet than Joshua at just under 2.98. Usyk at 1.58 is definitely worth backing, however the bet that stands out here is Under 10.5 rounds at 2.16. Everything about this fight suggests a KO. Joshua will know he needs one and that will be his tactics – Usyk is coming in heavier and will have more punching power. Joshua has to attack and he will be more tired in the second half of the fight, thus giving Usyk more chance of a KO too. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the fight not last six rounds – and it’s going to be a cracker!

The fight also has a massive impact on the heavyweight division. Tyson Fury retired after beating Dillian Whyte, then said he’d fight again for 500 million, retired, then said he’d fight Joshua for free, then he was fighting Derek Chisora and now his current position is he is retired again. One suspects he’ll flip flop a few times this week depending who wins – it would be amazing to see an all British fight for the undisputed heavyweight world champion, but it’s hard to see past Usyk here.

Recommended Bet:
Three points win Under 10.5 Rounds with Betdaq Sportsbook.

You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/UsyJos