Usyk vs Fury 2: Lennox Lewis, others’ predictions
Tyson Fury has the chance to claim revenge and the WBO, WBC and WBA heavyweight titles when he takes on Oleksandr Usyk today in Saudi Arabia.
Usyk beat Fury on points to become the undisputed champion in May, the first in the four-belt era, but has dropped the IBF belt for the rematch.
Fury, 36, is facing the only man to inflict defeat on him in the professional ranks.
The Briton is a slight underdog as he aims to become the first fighter to beat 37-year-old Usyk.
Will Fury become a three-time heavyweight world champion or will Usyk’s undefeated streak continue?
BBC Sport has asked the world of boxing for their predictions.
Predictions
British heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley: “As a boxer and as a person, Fury is capable of making the adjustments to beat Usyk but do I think he will actually be able to and whether the ambition is still there?
“Without being offensive, it may be lacking a little. With Usyk, he is so stoic and stalwart and 100% focused on getting the job done.
“I think it will be a hard task to rip the belts away from him.”
Former undisputed heavyweight world champion Lennox Lewis: “Tyson Fury wins this because he is the bigger man. He will use his jab and needs to throw more punches than the first fight.
“He can’t muck around and needs to be totally serious. I always say the bigger man always wins if they have the same skills.”
Welterweight world champion Natasha Jonas: “I think Fury will be more on it and he can do it this time.”
Heavyweight Lawrence Okolie: “I will back Fury, which sounds insane because we’ve seen Usyk do it countless times and has even beat Fury already. It was such a close fight and Fury still has another style to try.
“He has an opportunity to not try and outbox the boxer as he did and try to be more aggressive. He can be a big strong guy and back it up with boxing skill. At times when he was stepping off, maybe he’ll now step forward. Maybe it makes it more ugly, messy and gritty.
“What I will say is that one of them will win more convincingly than last time and that could also be Usyk if he stays consistent like his last fight. If he’s in even better shape than Fury, he could win by a bigger margin than last time.”
Heavyweight Frazer Clarke: “Fury can make amends and you can never doubt him, but I do think Usyk will win.”
Scotland’s first female world champion Hannah Rankin: “I’ve been tearing my hair over this one, it’s taken me so long to come to a decision. It may be a little bit controversial but I will go with Fury.
“I think the loss has really got to him. He’s training really hard and has the bit between his teeth. Normally rematches go the same way but I will go with Fury on points.
“He will learn from his mistakes and be super focused.” BBC