Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk
25th September 2200hrs
Boxing – England
Pick Johsua by KO TKO or Disq
Bookmaker William Hill
Odds: Even Money odds taken 17:34 GMT 21st September, 2021
Anyone still hoping to see a potential match between British heavyweights Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are going to be hoping there’s no upset on Saturday night.
Anthony Joshua goes into action at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to face mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk.
This is a tricky one for Joshua, a new type of challenge against the Ukrainian who will take on just his third heavyweight bout.
Table of Contents
Anthony Joshua Preview – Joshua has to be careful
After looking like the big Joshua v Fury match was finally going to happen this year, instead, we see Johsua line up against a different opponent on Saturday.
The proposed bout with Fury was undone because of Deontay Wilder being awarded another rematch against Fury instead.
So the wait for that goes on.
Anthony Joshua is the 4/11 odds-on favourite in Boxing Betting* (odds recorded 17:34 GMT 21st September 2021).
Since that shock defeat to Andy Ruiz in New York back in June 2019, Joshua has had two fights.
First, he won back all the belts that he lost to Ruiz in a rematch in December 2019.
Then last December he picked apart the challenge of Kubrat Pulev, Joshua stopping the Bulgarian in the 9th.
On the line for Saturday are all of Joshua’s heavyweight belts. The British fighter will be defending his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles.
If he loses them, the road to a unification fight with Fury gets further away.
Joshua is going to have to manage his energy levels on Saturday night against Usyk.
He’s arguably second-best in terms of stamina and energy against his smaller opponent.
But Joshua brings the bigger punching power and that could be key for the former Olympic gold medalist.
Joshua’s pro-record in Boxing is now at W24 L1 and of those 24 career wins, 22 of them have been delivered by a knockout.
A Joshua KO TKO or Disqualification boxing betting pick is at even money* (odds recorded 17:34 GMT 21st September 2021).
Oleksandr Usyk Preview – The Cat a tricky opponent for Joshua
Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk is no mug and the 34-year-old will be defending an unbeaten career record.
It’s been 18 career wins for him and he has seen off British opposition before.
During his cruiserweight dominance, Usyk beat Tony Bellew by a knockout in November 2018.
On his move up to the heavyweight division, Usyk beat Derek Chisora by a Unanimous Decision in October last year.
Granted this is a much tougher prospect for the Ukrainian.
But his career is storied and successful, having unified the cruiserweight division.
Having achieved all that he could do there, Usyk moved up to the heavyweight division in 2019.
He has had just two heavyweight bouts, which started with a forgettable and uninspiring win over Chazz Witherspoon in October 2019.
Then Usyk was taken the distance by Chisora last year to claim the WBO intercontinental heavyweight title.
Usyk is the 9/4 underdog in boxing betting for Saturday’s bout in London* (odds recorded 17:34 GMT 21st September 2021).
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Oleksandr Usyk is giving up height, weight and reach to Joshua and that immediately puts him at some disadvantage.
It’s highly unlikely that he is going to stand toe to toe with Joshua in a slugfest. That’s not going to be his best path to victory.
But if Usyk uses his feet, tiring Joshua by keeping himself at arm’s length, then the longer he drags the British fighter into the bout, the better Usyk’s chances are going to be.
But even with that, is Usyk going to have enough to get in and out points on the board?
A decision victory is going to be difficult, highlighted by the 4/1 odds on that happening for Usyk* (odds recorded 17:34 GMT 21st September 2021).
A couple of things are for sure.
Usyk has a tremendous engine and he is one of the most technically gifted boxers across any division.
Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk Betting Advice
This is a tricky one for Joshua and the tricky thing about it is going to be trying to pin down Usyk.
Joshua should possess the punching power to end this fight early if he can catch the Ukrainian.
We have to think that happens, so the Joshua by KO TKO or Disq has to be in play at even money* (odds recorded 17:34 GMT 21st September 2021).
Key Facts – Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk Betting Tip
- 22 of Anthony Joshua’s 24 career wins have been by knockout
- Anthony Joshua defends all of his titles on Saturday
- Oleksandr Usyk is in just his third heavyweight fight
It will be interesting to see if Joshua comes out aggressively to try and break through his opponent early on.
Usyk will likely be dancing around through the early stages of this, avoiding an early big blow.
But he’s a considerably smaller fighter than Joshua and may not have the power in him to hurt the British fighter.
We think Joshua gets through and the 7-12 Round Group betting option is the pick at 9/4* (odds recorded 17:34 GMT 21st September 2021).
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The best betting odds for Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk
Anthony Joshua to win: 4/11 at Bet365
Draw: 20/1 at Bet365
Oleksandr Usyk to win: 9/4 at Bet365
