Recent developments would indicate that a deal for Tony Bellew to face undisputed cruiserweight World champion Oleksandr Usyk could well be imminent.
Following a series of exchanges between the two men – on both social media and during interviews – the fight now seems inevitable, as ‘The Bomber’ looks to tackle the mercurial Usyk following his World Boxing Super Series masterclass win over Murat Gassiev.
Eddie Hearn, Bellew’s promoter, has voiced his interest in making the fight, posting a picture of himself alongside Alex Krassyuk of K2 Promotions (who look after Usyk’s promotional interests) on his official Instagram recently.
Evertonian Bellew hasn’t fought since proving critics wrong once again in defeating long-term rival David Haye at The O2 Arena in May in a rematch of their first clash over a year on. Now, however, the WBC ‘Emeritus’ champion has his eyes set on Ukrainian superstar Usyk, who after capturing the Ali Trophy in scintillating style last month, has solidified his status as one of the sport’s premier combatants.
Despite the fact he will undoubtedly enter the contest against Usyk as a considerable underdog, the situation will be nothing new for Bellew – who has been the lesser-fancied-man in all of his most significant victories to date and will seek to defy the odds once again should the two men meet in the ring.
Though ‘The Bomber’ unquestionably possesses an inferior skill-set to the London 2012 Olympic gold medallist, he carries underestimated power in both hands – particularly his much vaunted left-hook – as well as being an underrated technician himself. In his two marquee wins over an-admittedly-faded Haye at heavyweight, Bellew showed tremendous heart and desire and showcased his knockout-ability in the second fight: poleaxing Haye with clean, effective punches.
While conventional wisdom would assume Usyk’s boxing brain, punch volume and variety will be the deciding factor in the contest: it would be foolhardy to write off Bellew, who has been on a significant hot-streak since wresting the WBC World cruiserweight title away from Illunga Makabu at Goodison Park in May 2016.
The fight is likely to be made at cruiserweight, though there has been talk of Usyk moving up to heavyweight – where he enjoyed success throughout his glittering amateur career – where he recently expressed an interest in tackling unified World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
However, with Bellew speaking of his desire to become undisputed cruiserweight champion, and having professed on multiple occasions that he is not a natural heavyweight, the move back down to face Usyk would seem the most likely option. After displaying notable punching power at heavyweight against Haye, he will hope to carry his power down a division as he looks score yet another monumental upset.
Should the fight come to fruition, win or lose, it will surely represent the last outing in a storied career for ‘The Bomber’. From un-fancied light heavyweight contender, to cruiserweight champion and heavyweight conqueror – it could be argued that a win over the supremely skilled Oleksandr Usyk would be the most significant of his 11-year vigil.
Article by: Andi Purewal
Follow Andi on Twitter at: @AndiPurewal