Inside the Ropes: Usyk and Fury prepare for an epic Riyadh rematch

Each week, Steve Wellings — a man with over 20 years' experience covering boxing for various publications and current online editor of Boxing News — will be drilling down on some of the boxing world's biggest topics via our new column, Inside the Ropes.

It’s been seven months in the making and as we head into the final part of 2024, the huge heavyweight rematch, destined to define a generation, is almost upon us. On December 21, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Oleksandr Usyk puts his WBC, WBO and WBA belts on the line against Tyson Fury. Usyk is the lineal king, the Ring Magazine belt holder, he holds every accolade possible.

Well, apart from the IBF belt, which is currently in possession of Daniel Dubois. That has more to do with boxing politics than any legitimate claim on the excellent Dubois’ part. Usyk beat “the man” Tyson Fury to take his spot on the throne. Plus, he has already faced and stopped Dubois, when they met in Poland. So, it’s merely a spurious sidenote.

When Usyk and Fury first met on May 18, in the same Kingdom Arena venue, many felt that Fury’s sizeable frame and subtle skills for such a big guy would be too much. Fury had shown in the past an ability to stand off and use his range-finding jab from both stances while also leaning in, pushing down and winning battles on the inside. After all, Usyk is a smaller man and with Fury’s oafish bulk heaving on top of him, he’d soon run out of energy, right? Wrong.

Fury did indeed enjoy long strands of success in the fight. From about round three to round seven, he was able to jab, twist and move. Pocketing points, racking up rounds while leaving Usyk, sometimes chasing shadows. Other fighters had enjoyed success against Usyk in the past, granted. 

Usyk and Fury collide in Saudi Arabia once again on December 21st. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Derek Chisora’s hard-swinging efforts were a problem. Mairis Briedis’ jab and right hand caused concerns. However, this was arguably the most sustained stretch of pressure. Suddenly, the Ukrainian master appeared to have met his match.  

Usually so tall, imposing, and unafraid to use his weight and size advantages, the Fury that bullied Deontay Wilder in their second and third instalments was missing. Trainer ‘Sugar’ Hill Steward was drowned out in the corner amidst a sea of voices that included Fury’s assertive father, John. The family patriarch headbutted a member of Usyk’s team during the week and he brought that chaotic energy with him to the outskirts of the ring.

Often so adept at battling on the inside, perhaps Fury finally had found his match. Strange given Usyk’s beginnings came at cruiserweight, that he was able to tuck his frame into openings, tie Fury up, hit repeatedly with the free hand and force a reset. Never letting the giant settle or take a much-needed lungful of air.

Not that it was a total wipeout for the Wythenshawe warrior - far from it. Fury’s first fight success not only gives his fans cause for optimism in the return, but also his previous achievements in rematches and trilogies show that he can change styles and adapt to hostile circumstances. 

As Usyk displayed against Anthony Joshua (a fellow British opponent who has so far eluded Fury), he isn’t too shabby at rematches himself. The savvy southpaw has an incredible engine that allowed him to not only turn the tables after round seven, but grab them, lift them up and throw them across the room! 

In round nine, Usyk was simply outstanding. The left hand he landed badly hurt Fury, sending him stuttering and stammering around the ring. A referee less experienced or a little quicker on the trigger finger than Mark Nelson might’ve waved it off there and then.

As Usyk closed strong down the stretch, that knockdown made all the difference on the judges’ scorecard, eventually awarding the Ukrainian a deserved success, despite Fury’s rally in the final couple of rounds. Like a true champion, he tried to turn it around right up until the final bell. If Usyk hadn’t scored the round nine knockdown, it would’ve been an entirely different story.

That would’ve been harsh on Oleksandr Usyk, who is the favourite to repeat the trick once again in the second fight and defeat Tyson Fury. Usyk is dependable, adaptable, uses his smaller stature to his advantage, can clearly punch hard and fights at a pace unsuitable for the big men.

Usyk dictates pace and once in his rhythm can be incredibly difficult to shift. Indeed, nobody has been able to do it in his 22 fights as a pro, all off the back of Olympic gold. To think, 189 rounds and he has unified the entire cruiserweight division, the heavyweight division, beating Joshua twice and Fury all within such a minuscule time frame. If he defeats Fury on December 21, Oleksandr Usyk’s legacy will see him reign as one of the greatest to have ever donned the gloves.

Usyk had Fury rocked in the ninth round of their first contest. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Betting portion…

When it comes to boxing’s big men, there is always a chance that someone could get knocked out. After enjoying such a productive, almost conclusive, round nine last time out, Usyk is 25/1 to get the job done in that session this time. Boxing has a funny way of rhyming if not outright repeating, so a Fury round nine stoppage at 33/1 is interesting.

There is always a chance of a knockdown and it would not be a huge shock if either man, or both, find themselves on the canvas at some point. Usyk is 6/5 to score a knockdown and Fury 7/4. 

Fury (8/5 to win) is a quality big man. Usyk (4/6) is arguably an even higher-quality small man. Keep an eye on the draw at 18/1 as well. We were just a point away from that the last time.

All odds are correct on Oddschecker as of 26/11/24.