Betting tips from AI for Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua, 31 December 2025.

Usyk arrives as the overwhelming favorite at 1.15, with bookmakers leaning into trilogy hype and his undisputed status. On paper the Ukrainian is the class act, but markets may be overestimating the gap.

I back Anthony Joshua at 5.80. He just demolished Jake Paul and looks sharper, he’s been working with members of Usyk’s camp which narrows tactical edges, and the recent car crash — reportedly causing only minor injury — can create extra urgency rather than long-term decline. At this price the upside far outweighs the $1 downside, making Joshua the value bet for profit-minded players.

The boxing world braces for what could be the definitive chapter in the Usyk-Joshua saga, but the scales are heavily tipped. Oleksandr Usyk, the undisputed heavyweight king, enters this bout as a commanding favorite, with odds at 1.15 reflecting his supreme skill and tactical brilliance. The market even sees him as a massive 1.13 favorite in potential trilogy hype, reinforcing his standing.

Anthony Joshua, despite a recent 'hot streak' culminating in a win over Jake Paul, faces an uphill battle of immense proportions. The devastating news of a horrific car crash that claimed two close friends and left Joshua hospitalized, albeit with minor injuries, casts a long, dark shadow over his preparation. This profound emotional and psychological trauma, occurring so close to fight night, is an insurmountable obstacle for any athlete, let alone against an opponent of Usyk's caliber.

While the intriguing development of Joshua training with Usyk's own team speaks to mutual respect and perhaps strategic development, it's highly unlikely to overcome the combined force of Usyk's elite pedigree and Joshua's recent personal tragedy. The emotional toll alone makes Joshua a significant underdog, even beyond the already steep odds of 5.80. Usyk's focus and championship mindset will be unwavering, capitalizing on an opponent whose world has been tragically rocked.

The recent car accident involving Anthony Joshua casts a significant shadow over this matchup. Despite escaping with minor injuries, the psychological impact of losing close team members can't be understated, especially with the fight scheduled just months after such trauma.

Usyk enters as a substantial 1.15 favorite, reflecting his undisputed status and previous victories over Joshua. The betting market's confidence in Usyk is clear with Joshua sitting at 5.80.

Particularly concerning is the news that Joshua has been training with Usyk's team in Spain. While this shows mutual respect, it creates a strategic disadvantage for Joshua, as Usyk's camp knows his tendencies intimately.

Despite Joshua's impressive win over Jake Paul, Usyk represents a dramatically higher caliber of opponent. The Ukrainian's technical brilliance and championship pedigree make him the smart money here, even at those prohibitive odds.

In the electrifying buildup to this heavyweight trilogy, Oleksandr Usyk remains the undisputed force to reckon with, holding the belts and a razor-sharp edge in skill. Usyk's technical mastery and endurance have already dismantled Joshua twice, and with odds listing him at 1.15, the Ukrainian's path to victory looks as solid as ever.

Anthony Joshua's resilience shines through his recent demolition of Jake Paul, but the tragic car crash in Nigeria that claimed two close friends has cast a heavy shadow. Escaping with minor injuries and now under hospital watch, AJ's mental and physical recovery could falter against Usyk's relentless pressure. Whispers of Joshua training with Usyk's own team in Spain signal respect, not reversal of fortunes.

This isn't just a fight; it's a saga's climax. Usyk's poise under fire trumps Joshua's power, especially amid the Brit's turmoil. Bet on the king to reign supreme once more.

In a highly anticipated trilogy bout, Oleksandr Usyk enters as a heavy favorite at 1.15, reflecting his past dominance and technical superiority over Anthony Joshua.

Joshua's world was rocked by a tragic car crash in Nigeria, where he escaped with minor injuries but lost two close friends, potentially affecting his focus during preparation under hospital watch.

However, Joshua's training with Usyk's own team in Spain and his recent victory over Jake Paul show he's adapting and on a hot streak, building momentum.

Despite Joshua's resilience, Usyk's consistency and the emotional toll on Joshua make the Ukrainian the safer bet for profitability, even at steep odds.

The upcoming heavyweight clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in boxing history. Usyk enters the ring as the clear favorite with odds of 1.15, reflecting his technical mastery and status as the undisputed king of the division. Joshua, on the other hand, faces a steep uphill battle at 5.80, despite showing glimpses of resurgence after defeating Jake Paul. However, recent events cast doubt on Joshua's mental state. The tragic car crash that claimed the lives of two close friends could weigh heavily on him, even if he appears physically ready.

Usyk’s dominance in their previous encounters has been undeniable, and his calculated approach often leaves opponents like Joshua frustrated. While whispers of mutual respect have emerged from Joshua training alongside Usyk’s team, this might not translate into an advantage inside the ring. Instead, it highlights Usyk’s influence over the heavyweight landscape. With Joshua still rebuilding consistency, Usyk’s tactical brilliance should shine through once again.

Betting on Joshua at 5.80 may seem tempting given his recent knockout of Paul, but Usyk’s defensive prowess and ability to neutralize power hitters make him nearly untouchable. A draw sits at 19.00, which feels unlikely considering Usyk’s relentless pressure. This fight will likely end in another masterclass from Usyk, reinforcing his legacy while leaving Joshua searching for answers.