Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk : Ring of Fire undercard suggested bets and tips

Boxing purists are being spoiled by Turki Alalshikh, the man who controls the biggest purse strings in the sport. He is delivering fights that fans have been demandeding for years.

As part of the Riyadh Season revolution, an increased level of focus has been put on improving the quality of undercards and there are three fights pre-Fury vs Usyk that could easily headline a card on their own.

In the chief support slot, we have the long-awaited rematch between Jai Opetaia and Mairis Briedis for the vacant IBF world cruiserweight title.

Australian power puncher Opetaia caused a huge shock when he beat Briedis in the summer of 2022 and he’s since established himself as the standout fighter at cruiserweight. 

Opetaia has been active over the past year as he’s earned statement knockout victories against Jordan Thompson and Ellis Zorro, while 39-year-old Briedis has been active since losing to Saturday’s opponent nearly two years ago. 

If Briedis still has enough left in the tank, this fight should be another classic but Opetaia is rightly the favourite and there should be a passing of the torch moment, with a stoppage between rounds 4-6 priced at 9/2.

 

 

Next up is another world title fight as Welshman Joe Cordina defends his IBF world super featherweight title against Anthony Cacace.

Cacace has earned this opportunity on a huge card but this is a huge step up for the relatively untested super featherweight and he should be outclassed by Cordina if the champion is on his game.

Most of Cordina’s professional wins have come via decision, but he has shown that he has one-punch knockout power and a highlight reel finish is possible, with the IBF champion priced at 15/8 to beat Cacace via stoppage.

Also on the undercard, two undefeated heavyweights put their unbeaten streaks on the line as Cuba’s Frank Sanchez faces Agit Kabayel.

Out of the two, Sanchez is higher rated and he is rightly the favourite, but a shock Kabayel win is certainly possible after he upset the odds by beating Arslanbek Makhmudov on the Day of Reckoning card in Saudi Arabia on December 23, 2023.

Kabayel will be full of confidence after besting the intimidating Russian last year and I’m expecting another upset this weekend, with the 31-year-old priced at 9/4 to beat Sanchez.

 

Fury v Usyk undercard suggested bets:

Opetaia to beat Briedis between rounds 4-6

Cordina to beat Cacace by stoppage

Kabayel to beat Sanchez

 

Go here for the Fury vs Usyk preview and tips

 

Planet Sport Bet offer: Fury v Usyk - Bet £10 Get £5 free bet if the fight is won by a knockout

 

Date, start time, venue and how to watch

Fury vs Usyk – in an event billed as ‘Ring of Fire’ – takes place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, May 18. 

This boxing card will be broadcast on Sky Sports PPV, TNT Sports PPV and DAZN PPV in the United Kingdom. In the United States and globally, the event can be purchased via DAZN PPV. 

The undercard is scheduled to get underway at 6:00pm in the United Kingdom and 1:00pm (ET) in the United States.

As for the main event, the ring walks are due for 11:00pm in the UK and 6:00pm (ET) in the USA.

 

Full Fury vs Usyk card

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk (IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO world heavyweight titles)

Jai Opetaia vs. Mairis Briedis (Vacant IBF world cruiserweight title)

Joe Cordina (c) vs. Anthony Cacace (IBF world super featherweight title)

Frank Sanchez vs. Agit Kabayel (Heavyweight contest)

Moses Itauma vs. Ilija Mezencev (Heavyweight contest)

Mark Chamberlain vs. Joshua Wahab (Lightweight contest)

Sergey Kovalev vs. Robin Sirawn Safar (Light heavyweight contest)

Daniel Lapin vs. Octavio Pudivtr (Light heavyweight contest)

David Nyika vs. Michael Seitz (Cruiserweight contest)

Isaac Lowe vs. Hasibullah Ahmadi (Featherweight contest)