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.
Eddie Hearn
He's given everything to the sport, I'm so glad people have seen the real Tony Bellew. We are so proud of him. He will go down as a true great of the sport. He gave everything for the crowd.
Usyk on stepping up to the heavyweight division and potentially facing Anthony Joshua
I will have some extra pasta for dinner. I enjoyed being here in the UK, most of my dreams have come true here.
67-67, 66-67, 65-68.
Tony Bellew was leading on two of the three judges scorecards before the fight was brought to a halt.
He came, he saw, he conquered.
Oleksandr Usyk leaves Manchester with all the belts that he came with.
Stick with us as we await the post-fight press conference. Tony Bellew has already confirmed his retirement from professional boxing and goes out losing to the best.
Let's see what else he has to say when he comes out to speak a bit more.
Plenty of respect shared between the two fighters after that cruiserweight contest.
While we await the press conference, have a read of Luke Brown's excellent fight report.
"As the lights went up in the Manchester Arena, the curtain came down on Bellew’s time as a boxer."
Bellew's former bitter rival David Haye had this to say after tonight's contest...
You noticed Bellew looked to hold when Usyk clipped him.
The plan was working. Unfortunately it just took so much energy to win those early rounds.
Things started to unravel very slightly.
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