Tony Bellew vs Oleksandr Usyk press conference - as it happened

The two cruiserweights met ahead of the November clash

Tony Bellew vs Oleksandr Usyk

Tony Bellew refused to be daunted by Oleksandr Usyk, as the pair met for a press conference in Manchester ahead of their eagerly anticipated title fight on 10 November.

Bellew, who previously held the WBC cruiserweight title before stepping up the heavyweight to twice defeat domestic rival David Haye, will return to his old weight class to challenge the formidable Usyk.

The affable scouser will start as the underdog. Usyk boasts a flawless professional record of 15-0 amd became the first boxer in history to hold all four major world championships at cruiserweight when he took apart Murat Gassiev to win the World Boxing Super Series in July.

The Ukrainian dominated at amateur level too, winning Olympic and World Championship gold alongside his compatriot and good friend Vasyl Lomachenko. It promises to be an extraordinary fight. Here's how the press conference played out.

Please allow a moment for the blog to load.

[24 September 2018 11:30 · Ben Burrows]

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the first pre-fight press conference ahead of the Oleksandr Usyk vs Tony Bellew fight.

The two cruiserweights clash in Manchester in November and will come face to face today ahead of a much-anticipated meeting.

We'll have all the latest for you right here.

[24 September 2018 11:44 · Adam Hamdani]

In case you weren't aware, tickets for the event go on sale today. It'll probably be worth going to just for the atmosphere alone.

[24 September 2018 11:58 · Adam Hamdani]

Usyk aware of Bellew's power threat

The undisputed king of the cruiserweight division is arguably the most feared man in boxing, but according to his team he remains respectful of his opponent.

"Usyk does respect all of his opponents. He does give credit to Bellew's strength and power," Alexander Krassyuk of K2 Promotions.

"He does realise that he will have a lionheart as his opponent in this bout, but he is confident in his training and in the work that he [has done] within the last 16 years."

The pair came face-to-face at Joshua-Povetkin 

[24 September 2018 12:16 · Adam Hamdani]

Earlier this year, Oleksandr Usyk became the undisputed champion of the cruiserweight's: the first man to hold all four major world championships in the division.

He defeated Murat Gassiev in the World Boxing Super Series with a convincing unanimous decision victory.

The Ukranian fighter is currently 15-0-0, with 11 knockout victories to his name and should he successfully defend his titles on 10th November, could look to move up a division and take on the likes of Anthony Joshua at heavyweight.

Usyk with his World Boxing Super Series trophy 

[24 September 2018 12:31 · Adam Hamdani]

Bellew was ringside for Anthony Joshua's fight against Alexander Povetkin at the weekend, and if you missed the action or just want to relive it, you can do so with Luke Brown's brilliant report of the fight, as well as the undercard.

[24 September 2018 12:40 · Adam Hamdani]

Tony Bellew on coming face-to-face with Usyk

​"He is what he is, he does what he says on the tin and he's a big dude and yes, he tried to intimidate but I am not scared of him, at all.

"Of course he tried to get to me in that stare down but if he thinks that is going to do anything to me, never mind get me worried, he is just a big fool.

"I am not scared of anyone, certainly not Usyk. He can give me that crazy Ukrainian look, so I just gave him a crazy Scouse one back.

"He can do what he wants. I have been written off throughout my whole life, so it's nothing new."

[24 September 2018 12:47 · Adam Hamdani]

In case you're wondering what's happening with the undercard, we have no idea.

Nothing has been announced yet, could some be confirmed today? The action all gets underway from 1pm, so stay tuned to find out.

[24 September 2018 13:05 · Adam Hamdani]

Ahead of today's press conference, Bellew had a Ukad drug test for the third time in the last four weeks.

Keeping busy.

[24 September 2018 13:10 · Adam Hamdani]

Who'll walk away with all the gold come November? 

[24 September 2018 13:21 · Adam Hamdani]

While Bellew's press conferences for his two fights against David Haye were more about abusive words, the pre-fight hype for Usyk is likely to be more intimidation tactics.

Neither man is scared of the other and although Usyk will be the major favourite going into the fight, it'll certainly be interesting to see how the mind games play a part.

It all gets underway shortly.