No way I was walking away from Usyk, says Bellew

Tony Bellew claims he would have been “haunted” had he turned down undisputed world cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk’s challenge ahead of tonight’s showdown.

Bellew was seemingly on the verge of retirement after burnishing his legacy with a brace of stoppage victories over British rival David Haye in his two most recent outings.

Usyk, though, called out Bellew immediately after triumphing in the World Boxing Super Series to unify the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO titles at 200lbs.

The unbeaten Ukrainian, who also holds the prestigious Ring Magazine belt, is arguably the most formidable opponent of Bellew’s career. But the prospect of becoming the first Briton to hold all four major world titles simultaneously proved too tempting to turn down for the Liverpudlian.

Bellew, himself a former world cruiserweight champion, said: “When he had all those four belts round his waist the first name out of his mouth was me. I couldn’t believe it, I’m genuinely still shocked.

“If it was about money I could have fought a much lesser fighter and earned much more. I took this fight – it is the biggest challenge of my life. I’ve always known, deep down, I could become a world champion with the right scenario.

“Make no mistake, I could lose on Saturday night. If he is as good as everyone thinks he is then I could lose. I have no problem with that.

“But what would have haunted me much more was if I had stayed retired, and then when he calls my name with all those belts on, if I’d walked away that would have haunted me.

“I’m here now and I’m competing in a fight I never thought would be possible.”

Scotland’s 35-year-old former three-weight world champion Ricky Burns is part of the undercard at the Manchester Arena after stepping in at late notice to fight Scotty Cardle in a lightweight contest.