OLEKSANDR USYK v TONY BELLEW, WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO & Ring Magazine Cruiserweight World Championship , Manchester Arena. 10th November 2018. Picture By Simon Stacpoole.
Oleksandr Usyk Dominates Tony Bellew in Cruiserweight Clash
In 2018, Oleksandr Usyk capped off his cruiserweight reign with a devastating eighth-round knockout of Tony Bellew in Manchester, England. Bellew, fresh off two victories over David Haye, accepted the challenge to face the newly crowned undisputed cruiserweight champion. However, as Bellew admits in hindsight, he was ultimately outmatched in the deeper waters of the division.
Usyk’s Adaptability and Ring IQ Proved Too Much for Bellew
Bellew was undoubtedly impressed by Usyk’s prowess, even favoring the Ukrainian to defeat Tyson Fury in their upcoming undisputed heavyweight title fight in Saudi Arabia. “He figures the problem out while he’s on the job,” Bellew explains, noting how Usyk’s adaptability and ring IQ proved too much for him. Despite being ahead on the scorecards early on, Bellew ultimately succumbed to Usyk’s adjustments in the later rounds.
The Exhausting Toll of Usyk’s Unrelenting Style
Reflecting on the experience, Bellew emphasizes the mental and physical toll exacted by Usyk’s unrelenting style. “The judgment of distance that Oleksandr Usyk has… It’s the most exhausting thing I’ve ever had happen to me,” he said, highlighting Usyk’s ability to control the range and constantly keep his opponents off-balance.
Usyk Presents the Toughest Challenge for Fury
Ahead of the Usyk-Fury showdown, Bellew believes the Ukrainian presents the toughest challenge of Fury’s career. “This is the best boxer Tyson Fury will have faced in his whole entire life,” Bellew states, noting Usyk’s superior boxing skills and versatility compared to Fury’s previous opponents. While Fury’s size advantage is significant, Bellew contends that Usyk’s ring IQ and technical prowess may prove too much for the towering Briton to overcome.
Ultimately, Bellew’s firsthand experience against Usyk has shaped his perspective on the upcoming undisputed heavyweight title fight. He believes the best version of Usyk will be enough to overcome the best version of Fury, predicting a triumph for the former cruiserweight king.
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