Tony Bellew is dead.. Anthony Bellew is alive
No fairytale ending but life starts again for Scouser
“It’s definitely over now,” said Bellew, who broke down at times. “You won’t see me in a boxing ring again.
“I only created the name Tony Bellew to make my old fella proud. I’ve never been Tony Bellew. I’ve always been Anthony.
“Everyone who truly knows me calls me Anthony. Tony Bellew died tonight, Anthony Bellew comes back alive.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn claims Bellew retires with more credibility in losing to Usyk than if he had quit after beating David Haye for a second time.
“For this fight, he wanted to know,” said Hearn. “He could have retired with a win but everyone would have said, ‘Why didn’t you fight Usyk?’
“Now he can retire and will get more respect.”
After a 20-year career Bellew, 35, saved the best for last and BY DAVID ANDERSON his performance against Usyk was the finest.
The former WBC champ was up on two scorecards and level on the third before he tired and the classy Usyk finished him in the eighth with a left hook.
Usyk wants to pursue Anthony Joshua and promoter Hearn, who has signed a three-fight deal with the cruiserweight world champ, admits they could meet within a year.
As impressed as Bellew was with Usyk, he warned the Ukrainian that the 6ft 6ins Joshua will be a step up.
Bellew said: “I only hope he doesn’t go to the giants because they might be too much.”
Next on Bellew’s agenda is resuming his never-promising football career and having a pint.
“I’m going to play footie again, even if I am c**p,” the Scouser joked. “And I’ll enjoy a pint again with my mates.”
On the undercard, Scotland’s former world champion Ricky Burns destroyed ex-British lightweight champion Scott Cardle with a third-round KO.