Usyk v Bellew Betting Odds: Four Cruiserweight Titles on the Line

Just after the Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk dominated his Russian foe Murat Gassiev in a unanimous decision victory in the WBSS final in July, he became the first man to hold all four cruiserweight titles, and therefore he is ready now for a big-money fight. According to online sportsbook news in the United Kingdom, Alexander Krassyk of K2 Promotions representing Usyk and Bellew’s promoter Eddie Hearn have been negotiating the fight for the past few weeks. It has been rumored that the fight will take place in London or Manchester on November 10th. The Ukrainian Champion is a heavy favourite, but Tony Bellew is a major force in Britain and has a high profile of victories. So, whom to pick when betting on Usyk v Bellew?

Can Usyk Outbox Bellew?

Oleksandr Usyk (15-0, 11 KOs), is a 31-year-old Olympic gold medalist from Ukraine. He did not only show the world that he deserves to become the undisputed champion, when he successfully retained his WBC and WBO cruiserweight titles and took the IBF and WBA crowns from Gassiev, but he also proved to be a heck of a puncher whom everyone should fear. Usyk inflicted some serious harm at Gassiev, sending him out of the world boxing ring for at least six months. Gassiev had a shoulder surgery and nose surgery after being defeated.

The Ukrainian southpaw has torn through the professional ranks, winning all 15 fights since claiming the gold medal at London 2012. He was quite active recently with some impressive knockouts to count. That is why he stands as a hot favourite with odds at 1.06, unlike his opponent Bellew, who values at 7.00, according to 10bet Sportsbook.   

Bellew to Retire if Beaten by Usyk

According to online sportsbook news in the United Kingdom, Tony Bellew considers making his fight against Usyk the last one if he fails to win the four-cruiserweight titles. He was on his way to retire as he stood out of the ring for almost one year and a half commentating on other big-money fights like Whyte v Parker, but with such big opportunity to try winning the undisputed championship he is back in camp getting his weight down.

Bellew, (30-2-1, 20 KOs), 35, moved up to the heavyweight division by knocking out David Haye in the 11th round in March 2017 followed by a fifth-round knockout in May in their rematch. Now he plans to come back to cruiserweight division where he won a world title by third-round knockout of Ilunga Makabu in May 2016. Tony Bellew is no longer young and he needs a lot of time to become fit again in order to outbox Usyk. Such goal for Bellew seems to be a very hard one, but it remains to be seen if Usyk is going to be stripped of his titles in the first fight after winning the undisputed championship.