Tony Bellew vs Usyk LIVE: Bellew retires immediately, Usyk looks for heavyweight move to fight Anthony Joshua after knockout victory
Usyk beat Bellew via knockout in the eighth round. Re-live all the action plus the post-fight press conferences
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Tony Bellew's quest to become the unified cruiserweight champion ended in defeat as Oleksandr Usyk inflicted a devastating knockout defeat inside the Manchester Arena to retain the WBA (Super), WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring titles.
Bellew previously held the WBC title after he defeated Ilunga Makabu in what he describes as the 'greatest night of his boxing career', winning the belt at the home of his beloved Everton - Goodison Park - before then vacating it after a single defence in order to fight David Haye twice at heavyweight.
In his absence, Usyk dominated the division and, early Bellew made a quick start to cause Usyk problems he hadn't faced before, the Ukranian stepped the pace up to start dominating Bellew.
By the time the sixth round finished, Bellew was starting to blow as the pace took its toll, and a momentary loss of concentration at the end of the seventh saw Usyk rock him on the bell with a left hook - a punch that Bellew would get to know much more in the next round.
With Bellew stunned, Usyk went for the kill and a cross-left was followed by a brutal left hook that sent Bellew crashing to the canvas, with the fight waved off before he could attempt to return to his feet.
Once he regained his bearings, Bellew confirmed that it will be the last time he fights in the ring, while Usyk set his sights on the heavyweight division and future bouts against Anthony Joshua, Dillian Whyte and Deontay WIlder.
Re-live all the action from the fight and from the press conferences below.
Fight preview:
When and where is the fight?
The fight takes place tonight at the Manchester Arena.
Expect the ring walks to take place around 10pm.
Where can I watch it?
The fight will be shown live on Sky Sports Box Office, which means you’re going to have to cough up if you want to watch it.
The PPV costs £19.95, or you can follow along for free with us, right here.
Who is the undercard?
- Sam Hyde vs Richard Riakporhe
- Dave Allen vs Ariel Esteban Bracamonte
- Josh Kelly vs Walter Fabian Castillo
- Ricky Burns vs Scotty Cardle
- Anthony Crolla vs Daud Yordan
Who do you think will win? Let us know in the comments below.
David Haye's advice to Bellew
"He thrives being the underdog. He loves the pressure. I'd just say do what you've been doing. You can't question someone who finds a way to win. He has a lot more experience. Double the fights."
Bellew at the weigh-in
This won't be the first time Usyk and Bellew have met in a boxing ring.
The Bomber recalls the time they first did.
Bellew is absolutely full of confidence going into his biggest fight and greatest challenge.
"We're going to create madness, and you're going to get one of the greatest fights you've ever seen of all time, believe you me. As long as he doesn't come here to run, play games, and steal decisions.
"He's a formidable and fantastic champion. Pound for pound one of the kings of the world. I've been an underdog so many times, you might as well start calling me the 'overdog', because tomorrow night I'm going to shock the odds once again, and surprise the whole world of boxing.
"The only person who beats me, is me. I will be crowned the king of the world."
As everyone knows, Usyk is looking far beyond the man he will face tonight - and is hoping to step up to heavyweight and come up against the likes of Anthony Joshua.
“I saw him for the first time at the 2011 World Championship finals against Magomedrasul Majidov. It was a great fight and after this fight I said he is going to be the Olympic champion in London,” Usyk told Sky Sports.
“I watched all his fights in London at the Olympic Games and of course his professional fights as well. I am interested in him, I mean it is interesting to watch his fights.”
“When promoters start negotiations between Usyk and Joshua, then I will get ready for that.
“If you want to make God smile, tell him your plans. Do you understand that my father raised me not to tell what hasn't happened yet.”
The undercard is heating up nicely here in Manchester.
Josh Kelly is next into the ring, after the ever popular Dave Allen picked up a well-earned victory.
Allen was involved in a very sloppy slugfest with the Argentinian heavyweight Ariel Esteban Bracamonte.
It wasn't particularly easy on the eye, but Allen eventually got the job done when Bracamonte's corner pulled him out in the seventh.
Here's some reaction from the main man himself. And he wasn't best pleased with his evening's work...
That was awful. I want to apologise to everyone here.
He was tough, really tough, and hit really hard.
Another wake-up call. How many do I need?
There no excuses, I'm not fit enough, I'm not conditioned enough.
The British Boxing Club's Young Boxer of the Year is next up, Josh Kelly.
Josh Kelly beats Walter Fabian Castillo TKO1
Well that didn't last long. What a performance from Kelly.
From earlier tonight, Dave Allen and opponent Ariel Esteban Bracamonte arm in arm after their fight.
The Argentinian heavyweight pulled out in the seventh round.
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