PA Images/Alamy Images

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury II: Oscar De La Hoya Reveals His Prediction

Originally posted on Big Fight Weekend | By Ricky Carroll | Last updated Nov 2, 2024 11:43 AM ET

On December 21, Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) and Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) will clash once again in their highly anticipated rematch at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for Usyk’s WBC, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles. In their first encounter on May 18, Usyk created history, becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis. Soon after the undisputed fight, the Ukrainian vacated the IBF belt, seemingly with some pressure from the governing body – with Daniel Dubois inheriting that IBF strap and defending it in style against Anthony Joshua. The rematch will once again be the talk of the boxing world, and Golden Boy Promotions founder Oscar De La Hoya has revealed his prediction for the fight when talking to Fight Hub TV.

Oscar De La Hoya Reveals His Prediction for Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury Rematch

De La Hoya Backs Tyson Fury in Riyadh Rematch

The first encounter between Fury and Usyk was a brilliant fight that matched the occasion – as the contest went back and forth with the Ukrainian ultimately, prevailing by a split decision with the judge’s scorecards reading 114-113 for Fury while the other two saw it 115-112 and 114-113 for Usyk.

Fury has spoken recently about the heartbreaking miscarriage suffered by his wife Paris just before the first fight with Usyk. Paris decided to keep it from “The Gypsy King.” He has since revealed he knew something was wrong after speaking to his wife but didn’t want to believe it. Fury has since decided to invoke his rematch option and face his Ukrainian foe once again.

De La Hoya has revealed his pick ahead of the December 21 rematch, and is backing Fury to get revenge: “I think Fury, his head is going to be there for once,” said De La Hoya when speaking to Fight Hub TV.

He continued: “We didn’t know what happened, the tragic news that took place, do you know what that does to a fighter? Let’s talk about the heart Tyson has to go in there.”

De La Hoya added: “Anybody would have cancelled. Tyson goes in there and fights Usyk, unbelievable. So, I really see this fight as a 50-50 fight, but I have to give Tyson the edge.”