Western Morning News

Bellew is confident he can pass ‘ultimate test’ and beat Usyk

- BY ANDY HAMPSON

Tony Bellew is confident he will pass the “ultimate test” of his career to become the undisputed world cruiserwei­ght champion tomorrow.

The Liverpudli­an faces the highly rated and undefeated Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, holder of the WBA, WBC, WBO, IBF and Ring magazine titles, at Manchester Arena.

Bellew is stepping back down from the heavyweigh­t division for what could be his final fight in the hope of fulfilling his dream of becoming a world champion.

Asked if he was facing he best opponent yet, the 35-year-old said: “Yes – he is the ultimate test. There is nothing this man cannot do in a boxing ring. He is the most complete fighter I have ever faced. Everything he does is class.

“I meet a man who has exceptiona­l skills, an exceptiona­l talent. He has everything I have except that one thing – I can turn someone’s lights out in the blink of an eye.

“It has never happened to him before but it could happen on Saturday. I am going to find a way.”

Usyk, 31, is an Olympic gold medallist and is unbeaten in 15 fights as a profession­al. He is expected to step up to heavyweigh­t in the near future and could have his eyes on Anthony Joshua’s titles.

Bellew has won 30 of his 33 fights, the two most recent being his heavily billed bouts against David Haye in the top division. He briefly retired after the second of those in May, but was quickly tempted back into the ring by the opportunit­y to face Usyk.

Bellew added yesterday: “I have to beat him up on Saturday, or find a way to do the impossible.

“The only chance I have is a puncher’s chance – I cannot out-box this man. He is a formidable opponent. He has everything any boxer could possibly want and he’s a horrible southpaw, but I’ve shown what I can do at heavyweigh­t and, believe you me, I will show even more what I can do at cruiserwei­ght. I’m faster, sharper and possibly even stronger at cruiserwei­ght.

“As good as he is, as great as he is, he is meeting someone with something inside him. I don’t know what I’m going to do, when I’m going to do it, but I just know I’m going to punch him in the face really hard on Saturday.”

Bellew added: “This is the most significan­t fight in cruiserwei­ght history, the richest fight this division has ever seen. Who brought that to the table? I did. He brings the hard work, I bring the money. Never forget that.”

Usyk, sitting alongside Bellew at the pre-fight press conference, was more understate­d. He said: “Tony is my best opponent ever, definitely. We feel Tony and I will perform our best. I think it will be a spectacula­r fight.

“Years ago I dreamed about visiting England. I couldn’t imagine that some day I would be fighting in Manchester. I am as glad as the small kid who received a Kinder Surprise!”

 ??  ?? Tony Bellew this weekRICHAR­D SELLERS/PA
Tony Bellew this weekRICHAR­D SELLERS/PA

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