USYK VS JOSHUA 2 PREVIEW AND BETTING TIP

It feels like a whole lot longer than 11 months since these two met for the first time. We backed Usyk to win by decision at 4/1 and he did exactly that. Joshua couldn’t cope with his slick boxing skills and he was lucky to see the final bell. Will it be more of the same in Usyk vs Joshua 2?

In the last fight the bookies made Joshua the clear favourite but this time, Usyk is odds on at 1.64. The Londoner is priced up at 2.78 and those odds look fairly skinny given how the last fight transpired. Can AJ turn things around, or will Usyk dish out even more punishment? Find out in our big fight preview below.

USYK VS JOSHUA 2: THE TALE OF THE TAPE

OLEKSANDR USYK

Oleksandr Usyk has endured a torrid time in the past few months. The Russian invasion of his home country saw him join the Ukrainian Army and it looked like this rematch would have to wait. However, with the blessing of his military compatriots he left to begin his training camp and he will be desperate to win to lift the spirits of his fellow countrymen.

There is going to be a whole lot more pressure on Usyk’s shoulders compared to the first fight. Most UK ‘experts’ thought he was too small and that Joshua would blast him out of there in London. This time, however, he is fully expected to win and he also has to carry the weight of expectation of the entire country of Ukraine.

There is nothing to suggest that Usyk won’t be able to cope with the pressure. This is a man who won Olympic Gold in 2012. He hasn’t lost a fight of any type since a defeat in the Amateur World Championship Semis in 2009 (49 consecutive amateur wins/19 pro wins). His slick, awkward style was far too much for Joshua to handle first time around and this fight could go in a similar direction. Usyk is a more than worthy fav and I’d have him shorter than his current odds of 1.64.

ANTHONY JOSHUA

Anthony Joshua must have been licking his lips after watching Usyk labour to victory against Derek Chisora before the first fight. However, once the bell went AJ was like a rabbit in headlights and he just couldn’t get to grips with Usyk’s slick and clever boxing. Yes, he did have a small bit of success in the later rounds but it was only fleeting. Joshua never really had Usyk in any sort of trouble, so what can he do differently here?

A lot of pundits say he has to be more aggressive and use his physical advantages. If only it was that simple. Joshua is a limited boxer who does carry power but he is nowhere near the level of Usyk in terms of skill, speed and movement. Joshua only started boxing when he was 18 and the two best ‘boxers’ he has come up against have beaten him convincingly.

I’ve never been convinced by Joshua. He beat a washed up Klitschko (who should have finished him) and the first Ruiz Jr fight truly exposed his limitations. He did avenge that loss but Ruiz Jr prepared for that fight on a strict diet of pizzas and snickers. Usyk is unlikely to be as unprofessional as the American and this could be a very tough night for AJ and his fans.

USYK VS JOSHUA 2 PREDICTION AND BETTING TIP

Anything can happen in boxing, especially in the heavyweight division, but for me Usyk is impossible to oppose. He is tough, he is a supreme boxer, he has superb feet and while he hasn’t got huge power, he hurt Joshua more than once in the first fight. If that wasn’t enough, he has the massive motivation of raising the spirits of his war stricken home country.

The narrative coming from Joshua’s camp is that he has learned lessons from the first bout. The thing is, Usyk will have learned plenty too. If Joshua does come out more aggressively this time, it could play into his opponent’s hands. As we saw in the Ruiz fight, Joshua is often at his most vulnerable when he is on the attack and Usyk will be ready for him.

I can only see one outcome here and that’s an Usyk win. If Joshua does come out swinging as the plan seems to be, Usyk is more than capable of walking him onto a big counter. Joshua’s suspect stamina will come into play too if he tries to start fast. If Usyk weathers the early storm, I can see him getting Joshua out of there in the mid to late rounds. Therefore, the recommended bets are Usyk by KO/TKO/DQ at 3.20 and Usyk to win in rounds 7-12 at odds of 5.00.

DAVE STEVOS’ USYK VS JOSHUA 2 TIPs: 3 pts USYK BY KO/TKO/DQ @ 3.2; 1pt USYK IN ROUNDS 7-12 @ 5.00

-DaveStevos