Tony Bellew vs Oleksandr Usyk press conference - as it happened
The two cruiserweights met ahead of the November clash
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
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Eddie Hearn kicks things off
"I believe this could be the fight of the year. It's a massive event. We have a huge night of boxing planned and already there are a number of fights already planned.
Ryan Walsh will face Isaac Lowe, Joe Cordina will fight, Josh Kelly will be on the card. A massive night of boxing, so important for these two men."
Anthony Crolla to face Daud Yordan on undercard
"There's a lot of people going on about me being on the undercard for the first time in a long time but I'm honoured. They're two fantastic fighters. I'm better than I've been in a long time."
Whoever wins this could go on to face Vasyl Lomachenko. Wow.
Tony Bellew's trainer Dave Coldwell speaks
"It's something that I look at as once in a life time. I've been working with Tony for a long time, to cap it all off in a unified cruiserweight championship fight is as big as it gets. It's for all the marbles, it's the pinnacle. We watched Usyk dismantle Gassiev and I heard Usyk call Tony's name and just thought to myself 'oh shit, we're going again'. I just knew it was going to happen again, I didn't even need to call Tony.
"He's the man everyone loves to give zero chance. Way back from domestic level to European, now he's done what he's done and he's showing his mettle, his heart, his determination. He's going to put it all on the line."
Anthony Crolla says he'd love to face Lomachenko
"I'd never be disrespectful and call Lomachenko out, but if I win on November 10th, I'd love to get in the ring with him over here."
Sky Sports head of boxing Adam Smith speaks
"I need to pinch myself a little bit being among not only Tony Bellew but Usyk and Lomachenko - the pound for pound greats. As we saw with AJ-Povetkin on Saturday, more spills, more thrills and more great nights for the fans.
"When Eddie told me about this match-up, I had to sit down. I couldn't believe it."
Oleksandr Usyk on becoming the undisputed champion of the cruiserweight division
"I take it really easy."
Oleksandr Usyk on the challenge of Tony Bellew
"I'm sure it won't be an easy fight, an easy challenge for me. I'm really glad to come back to the UK, the country that gave me a chance to get the trophies that mean so much to me in my life."
Oleksandr Usyk
"I'm not thinking about Tony Bellew at this moment, I am just concentrated on my training camp and how I can overcome all the challenges I have ahead."
Tony Bellew on why he wants to fight Usyk
"I was on my honeymoon and for one reason or another I was stood there watching Usyk beat Gassiev. He made the ultimate sin, he said my name. It didn't take long, I knew. The world is going to write me off, I'm going up against the monster, the man no one wants to fight. Make no mistake, he's looking past me already. He's already asking Eddie 'who am I going to fight at heavyweight?'
"He passed a comment after Saturday's stare down, 'you are arrogant'. It is not arrogance he sees, he sees a man looking back at him who can win."
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