As previously reported on BoxingScene.com, Tony Bellew will challenge Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed world cruiserweight title at Manchester Arena on November 10.
Former WBC cruiserweight champion Bellew is stepping back down a division after his two heavyweight victories over David Haye.
And he accepts he will start as underdog against the 2012 Olympic gold medallist who has taken the professional ranks by storm.
Bellew admits that he'll need a knockout to win this fight.
"There's no chance of out-boxing him so I have to knock him out," Bellew told Sky Sports.
"And I will knock him out - believe you me, I will knock Oleksandr Usyk out in the mid-to-late rounds. He's amazing at what he does. Unbeaten, hasn't tasted defeat as a professional, has tasted defeat on the amateur scene only a handful of times in over 200 fights.
"I was on the same amateur circuit as him and have sparred with him. He's fantastic, formidable at everything he does. But he is the perfect amateur - I don't believe he is the perfect professional. This is a fight between two small heavyweights, and you're going to see an amazing amateur boxer shown the way by a very well-schooled professional fighter."
Usyk won theWBO title in his 10th fight before adding theWBC with victory overMairisBriedis in the World Boxing Super Series semi-final. He added theIBF andWBA crowns by beatingMuratGassiev in the final.
"[He is] the biggest challenge of my career because he is the ultimate fighter," Bellew said. "He is stylistically my worst nightmare, a southpaw.
"He's got a fantastic work-rate and he's slightly bigger than me. He's younger. He's fresher. He's the monster that nobody else wants to go near.
"I believe he's a future heavyweight champion of the world, as well. But I just believe I can beat him. I know I can beat him."
2023-10-21 18:55:40
