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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Your support makes all the difference.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.
Usyk's press conference comes to an end with an applause after he says his dream is for 'all people to respect each other'.
A lovely note to end on as he carries all the belts away.
Stick with us for a little while longer, Tony Bellew will be in the room shortly to discuss the fight, his retirement and ultimately what comes next for him.
Will Usyk face Anthony Joshua at heavyweight?
He's discussed the possibility.
We're still awaiting Bellew here, he's currently being given a medical check (as is standard when a fighter is knocked out).
We'll be here until it's all said and done.
Tony Bellew has arrived at the press conference. Updates to follow...
One of the current pound-for-pound greats gives his thoughts on Tony Bellew.
Dave Coldwell post-fight
It's been an incredible ride. The best five years of my life. It's changed my family life. I have a lot to thank Tony Bellew for.
Bellew post-fight
I've made enormous amounts of money. I can't believe I've got it to be honest. I don't mind tonight, it's over. I've been doing it for 20 years. I've achieved all my wildest dreams.
Bellew continues
I've lost to the greatest fighter I've ever seen. He was awkward, intelligent. He got me. If I'm being honest, I got tired for the first time in my entire career. I don't know how or why it happened. He was brilliant, I was a fan. Before and after I got in the ring. He's fucking brilliant.
Bellew on life
I sit here as a loser but I've won in life. I've earned it, every single fucking penny. I had nowhere to go, I come from great parents. The best dad I could have wished for. I lost to a great champion, there's nothing I can say. Thank you all for your support. There's nothing more I can say. I've bluffed my career to fuck.
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