The much-awaited bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Tony Bellew concluded on Saturday night in Manchester Arena. The Cruiserweight king Usyk came out victorious with the eighth round knockout.
Bellew was initially ahead on the scorecards with one or two points. However, it was Usyk who came out victorious in the 8th round by delivering a brutal left hand that sent Bellew falling backward.
Bellew fell backward on to the ropes and even before he could get up, referee Terry O’Connor called off the fight to a dramatic halt.
The magnificent and experienced Usyk who previously held the cruiserweight belts; IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO has now completed his sixth fight for the world title with a massive victory against an opponent who was fighting in his own country.
For Bellew who previously won his last fight for WBC title two years ago, this was his 38th and last fight.
Bellew managed to found an opportunity to land his brutal left hand in the first round and then again he bragged at Usyk with a flurry of punches in what seems like a brawl.
Usyk seemed to be fazed by this barrage of punches and exchanged shots evenly which actually further intensified the electricity between two opponents.
Both of them exchanged shots evenly in the third round, but Bellew had the advantage of a brighter start.
Bellew started the fourth round with a clubbing right and leaned back to the ropes. However, it was then when Usyk faunally got his rhythm and caught his opponent off balance.
The fifth round was for Usyk as he landed a hard left over Bellew’s punch and this was the first time in the fight that Usyk southpaw style showed dominance and control in the ring.
In the final seconds of the sixth round, Usyk briefly managed to stagger Bellew before the bell called off the round.
In the seventh round, Usyk was menacing with a devious smile as he left his opponent’s face bloodied.
The eight and final round saw a devastating left hook from Usyk on to Bellew’s jaw that concluded the fight in Usyk’s favor.
Usyk has now won three world titles in 2018 and now he is all set for challenging a heavyweight title.
Related Content
