Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk: 25 boxing experts make their predictions for Riyadh clash


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Boxing history will be made on Saturday night at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh when Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk fight to become the first undisputed heavyweight world champion for a quarter of a century.

This bout has been a long time coming after several delays, but as fight night finally approaches, we cast the net far and wide and collated 25 predictions made by former champions, active boxers, trainers and promoters.

This will be the first time that two heavyweight champions have fought to unify all of the straps in the four-belt era, and opinion is certainly divided about the outcome.

Lennox Lewis, the last undisputed champion back in 1999, has had his say, as have many other high-profile individuals from the world of boxing. Scroll down as we take the temperature ahead of the biggest fight of the year.

1 Lennox Lewis, the last undisputed heavyweight champion

It’s an interesting match-up but I always say if two guys have the same technical skill, the bigger fighter wins because he can force his size on the other guy. It’s happened before where the smaller guy won but, in this case, Tyson Fury’s got lots of different weapons in his arsenal.

Prediction: Fury

2 Anthony Joshua, former two-time heavyweight champion

Usyk is a phenomenal fighter, does everything to a tee, and I would say he is going to do a really good job. I have never fought Tyson Fury so I can't really speak on how he will perform or what it is like to face him, so only speaking on what I know I would have to say Oleksandr Usyk will be victorious.

Prediction: Usyk

3 Mike Tyson, youngest heavyweight champion in history

I'm going towards Tyson Fury because I think he's just going to overpower him. He's going to catch up with him and overpower him. I got to go with Fury. I think he's the best fighter in the world, especially in the heavyweight division.

Prediction: Fury

4 Evander Holyfield, former cruiserweight and heavyweight champion

There are things [Fury] doesn’t do well – he doesn’t fight inside really well; nobody comes in quick to hit him with punches. It will show when he fights Usyk. Usyk’s a good fighter but Usyk has got fast hands, he can fight inside, he can fight outside, so you will see a big difference. You’ve got to be a complete fighter to win all the time.

Prediction: Usyk

5 Oscar De La Hoya, former six-weight world champion

I think Tyson Fury is the bigger version of Usyk. He has speed, he has power, he's very versatile. I have to go with Tyson.

Prediction: Fury

6 Deontay Wilder, former WBC heavyweight champion

Fury’s size is what makes him gain more success. When I see him against Usyk, I see how they cheated [Steve] Cunningham with that clubbing, putting his weight on him and clubbing him, and I could see him doing the same thing with Usyk. I do think Usyk has more skill, but when it comes to the size and stuff, I don’t think he’ll be able to compete with the size of Fury.

Prediction: Fury

7 Andy Ruiz Jr, former unified heavyweight champion

I think if Usyk throws his combinations, goes inside, sticks to the gameplan... not let Fury box him around, use the jab, use the distance, then I think Usyk will do good.

Prediction: Usyk

8 Prince Naseem Hamed, former unified featherweight champion

I'm hoping Tyson Fury is going to win that fight on points. I believe that if he stands up in the 12th round, he will get his hand raised, regardless of what's going to happen.

Prediction: Fury

9 Filip Hrgovic, heavyweight contender

I give Usyk a little bit of an edge in the fight because he is the more complete fighter. He is always in good shape, has great defence, good footwork and he has solid power as well.

Prediction: Usyk

10 Eddie Hearn, boxing promoter

I saw a video of Usyk the other day, he looks in tremendous shape. My pick is going backwards and forwards. I went with Fury, now I'm with Usyk.

Prediction: Usyk

11 Derek Chisora, former opponent of Usyk and Fury

Tyson [to win]. He’s the bigger guy, longer reach. Just Tyson. This is like a man taking candy out a baby’s hand, bro. Tyson’s going to win. He’s going to walk through that guy. That’s it.

Prediction: Fury

12 Francis Ngannou, former Fury opponent

If I am objective, then I would say Tyson Fury. I am not counting Usyk out, he can win this fight, he has a very good chance, but I still have to go for Tyson. And maybe we can have the rematch.

Prediction: Fury

13 Tony Bellew, former WBC cruiserweight champion

[Tyson Fury] is a fighter that loves to press fighters and look for a knockout under the brilliant SugarHill Steward at the Kronk. He's a different fighter now, he's someone that looks for the knockout and that's music to Oleksandr Usyk's ears. I know, because I've been in there with him, the boy is exceptional at what he does.

Prediction: Usyk

14 George Groves, former WBA super middleweight champion

I think Usyk wins. I think he's in better form. I know people are attacking him a bit for the Dubois performance, but I thought he was very, very good. Usyk was in full control and stopped him. Usyk will take Fury out of his comfort zone.

Prediction: Usyk

15 Daniel Dubois, heavyweight contender

Fury has his own IQ, he makes it up [as he goes along] and it works. I hope Fury wins, I want him to win. If he wins then it puts the heavyweights in England in a better position.

Prediction: Fury

16 Malik Scott, Deontay Wilder’s trainer

In terms of the winner, I would go with Usyk, but at the same time, Fury is big and knows how to use his size. Fury is in better shape than I thought he would be. He's not slow, he has good punching power and a good boxing mind. It's a good fight on paper. But we'll see what happens.

Prediction: Usyk

17 Hamzah Sheeraz, middleweight contender

Fury knows how to use his size and he is athletic with it as well. I think if you're fighting someone like Usyk then you need to be able to do what he does but do it better. Fury will have the bit between his teeth after his last performance.

Prediction: Fury

18 Carl Frampton, former two-weight world champion

I lean towards Fury, without any air of confidence as you can make an argument for Usyk winning the fight. But I am just edging Fury.

Prediction: Fury

19 Darren Barker, former IBF middleweight champion

I am leaning towards Fury as when I was a kid I was always told that a good big one beats a good little one. On May 18 we could witness one of the greatest to ever step in the ring. If Usyk beats Fury, you’re talking about one of the greatest of all time. I lean Fury because of the size but anything can happen.

Prediction: Fury

20 Don Charles, boxing trainer

I never made it a secret whenever asked this question. I have Tyson as a clear winner in that fight. It isn’t going to be easy, but Tyson is a clear winner.

Prediction: Fury

21 Jarrell 'Big Baby' Miller, heavyweight contender

I think Tyson is going to pull it off. Tyson is a good guy. I'm going more with my feelings and my relationships with them... Tyson is a big, fun loveable guy who has always been positive with me, so I am rooting for him.

Prediction: Fury

22 Johnny Nelson, former WBO cruiserweight champion

If Tyson Fury turns up, then he wins. An under-performing, under-par Fury and he doesn’t. But I expect the best Tyson Fury to turn up.

Prediction: Fury

23 Manny Robles, boxing trainer

You are only as good as your last fight, so Usyk has the edge at the moment. We all saw Fury's last fight; he didn’t come in the best of shape, and he underestimated his opponent - we all did - now he has to get back in the gym because Usyk is no joke.

Prediction: Usyk

24 Shane McGuigan, boxing trainer

We don’t know what Fury has got left. Usyk is not on the decline. I didn’t think heavyweight would suit him when he first stepped up and fought Chisora, but he has filled into the weight a lot more. He has just kept his athleticism as he has gotten older better than Fury has, and I believe he might beat him on points. It’s going to be a split decision, 7-5 either way.

Prediction: Usyk

25 David Price, beat Fury in the amateurs

I just think Tyson Fury is an expert at being the big man and I think he'll use his size, his weight, his reach. I think he’ll probably be behind in the fight, but he'll eventually come back and find a way to win late on, that's how I’m seeing it, but anything can happen in heavyweight boxing.

Prediction: Fury

Final score: Fury 15 Usyk 10

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Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

Griselda
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ARGENTINA SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Agustin Marchesin, Esteban Andrada
Defenders: Juan Foyth, Nicolas Otamendi, German Pezzella, Nicolas Tagliafico, Ramiro Funes Mori, Renzo Saravia, Marcos Acuna, Milton Casco
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodriguez, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Roberto Pereyra, Rodrigo De Paul, Angel Di Maria
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Lautaro Martinez, Paulo Dybala, Matias Suarez

SPECS
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PROFILE OF INVYGO

Started: 2018

Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo

Based: Dubai

Sector: Transport

Size: 9 employees

Investment: $1,275,000

Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri

WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

Kamindu Mendis bio

Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis

Born: September 30, 1998

Age: 20 years and 26 days

Nationality: Sri Lankan

Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team

Batting style: Left-hander

Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

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Updated: May 18, 2024, 7:15 AM