Bellew turns street fighter for his ‘ultimate’ Usyk test

Tony Bellew’s pledge yesterday that he would drag world cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk into a “street fight” tomorrow was countered by his rival claiming he had nothing to fear as he had fought his way out of a ghetto growing up in Ukraine surrounded by gangsters, drug dealers and prostitutes.

Usyk, the Olympic heavyweight gold medallist at London 2012, who has secured every world crown at the 200lb limit, defends his four titles – and The Ring Magazine belt – against Bellew, the former champion, who will be making his swansong appearance at the Manchester Arena.

Bellew said: “I’m meeting a man with exceptional skills, talent, who has everything except one thing – the ability to turn peoples’ lights out with a blink of an eye.

“He is the ultimate test, the most complete fighter I have met, he’s amazing at what he does, but I’m going to drag him into a street fight, break him and knock him out. I don’t know exactly how – but I will find a way like I always do. On Saturday night, you are going to learn how to lose in a street fight, Mr Usyk.”

The Ukrainian, unbeaten in 15 contests as a professional, said:

“How do you think

I got into boxing?

By having so many street fights growing up in a ghetto with drugs dealers and prostitutes ... but this is boxing. I grew up having to fight and defend myself as a kid. Life was tough growing up, and boxing was a way out of that. I’m really inspired and enjoying the atmosphere here in England. I never dreamt I’d be fighting here.

“Bellew is really dangerous, the best opponent I have faced. We are the same height, same weight, I look at his eyes, and they are angry. I believe it will be a spectacular fight.”

Bellew certainly deserves a fine send-off after a remarkable career, with promoter Eddie Hearn adding yesterday that this was “a dream event to be promoting, history in the making”. Hearn has a threefight deal with Usyk and his team which could even see the southpaw step up to face Anthony Joshua to challenge for a heavyweight title.

But he must get past the growling Bellew first.

“This is the richest fight in the history of the cruiserweight division,” Bellew (below, right) said. “He brings the belts, I bring the money. I could have called out Dillian Whyte, rolled around on the floor and brawled on The Gloves Are Off and sold one million pay-per-view buys,” said Bellew.

“Don’t call me the bank robber – as they did when I fought David Haye twice – call me the belt robber … ’cos that’s what I am going to do against Usyk.

“I will give my all, and I will find a way to prove the doubters wrong.”