Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk Prediction, Pick: Can Oleksandr Usyk Make a Statement?

Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk Prediction, Pick: Can Oleksandr Usyk Make a Statement?

A long-awaited rematch will entertain the boxing world this evening when heavyweights Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua touch gloves in the Jeddah Superdome in Saudi Arabia. The rematch comes after Aleksandr Usyk took Joshua's WBO, WBA, and IBF titles in September of last year. Usyk peppered Joshua with constant offense in that fight and frustrated him with his southpaw stance to eventually win by unanimous decision. Will the script flip this time, and Joshua takes his titles back? Let's get into my prediction, pick, and odds for the rematch between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk.

Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

• Date: August 20, 2022
• Time: 5:30 pm ET
• Where to Watch: DAZN

Click Here for Josua vs Usyk Odds

Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk Prediction

The odds flip is an interesting aspect of this fight. Anthony Joshua was -200 in the first fight against Usyk, and after Usyk won the first meeting, he has flipped the odds and is sitting around -200 on most books to make it 2-0 against the former champion. To avoid taking the juice on this one, I have found a prop play that has great odds and maximizes the chance for a nice payout while still backing the Ukrainian.

Anthony Joshua relies on his aggression and physicality to take care of his opponents. Joshua has gone to a decision three times in 26 fights, and he starts fast almost every time. 22 of his 24 wins are by knockout, and of those 24, 16 came in the third round or earlier. Lately, however, Joshua has been going later into fights as he faces better opposition, and this is where he has struggled more. He has gone past the 9th round in six of his past eight fights now and has had much closer fights, even losing two. His opponent, Oleksandr Usyk, will have no problem taking this fight into the later rounds.

Usyk is still undefeated with a 19-0 record, and of those 19 wins, 13 were by knockout. However, when he doesn't knock his opponent out, he still looks impressive in the later rounds and can win dominant decisions. This is what he did in the first matchup between these two.

Joshua's best chance for a win here is an early knockout. Joshua is best when he is fresher and can use his physicality to wear on his opponents. However, Usyk proved in the first fight that this is not an easy game plan to execute against someone as durable and cardio-ready as Usyk. Joshua also had a hard time against Usyk's southpaw stance, and it could give him trouble again. I expect Joshua to push for a finish early in this fight because he believes that is his best chance to win. Therefore, I expect Usyk to survive and put a drained Joshua away late this time after winning a decision last time. Take Usyk to finish this one late.

Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk Pick

Play: Oleksandr Usyk Wins in Rounds 10-12 @ +650 (Bet $100 to win $650)

*Odds available at Fanudel at time of publishing*

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