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.
Oleksandr Usyk has arrived for the post-fight press conference...
Usyk on how tough the fight was
I was trying to compose myself in the first four rounds. I was fine.
Usyk on if he's fought for the last time at cruiserweight
You need to take your time to make decisions, right now my biggest concern is rest. A vacation with my family. I had a really tough year. It was the most successful but most difficult. I'm thinking about spending time with my family.
Usyk on why it was his toughest year
It was mentally difficult, physically. The period between fights was too shorts, I never felt 100%. Some organisational issues too. After the final fight against Murat, I only had 30 days to recover. During my training camp I was lying in bed staring at the ceiling and a thought came to my mind... 'what am I doing here?'
Eddie Hearn on Usyk
He's the 2018 fighter of the year. Undoubtedly... and he's doing it all away from Ukraine.
Eddie Hearn jokes that Anthony Joshua needs an opponent on April 13th.
Usyk smiles away...
Usyk on Bellew's threat
I had to stay focused in every single round. He is a really dangerous man.
Usyk on what Bellew said to him post-fight
He said thank you for the fight and I told him he's a real man. A father, a husband. A real man.
Eddie Hearn on what's next for Usyk
Have a strong fight at heavyweight and ultimately challenge for the world titles.
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