Former heavyweight world champion (up to 90.7 kg) Tony Bellew discussed what it's like to box against Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs), who has an upcoming fight with British boxer Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs).
- Oleksandr Usyk applies pressure. With his footwork, he forces you to retreat. So, he doesn't box much on the back foot as he does on the front, counterattacking you, right?
- At that time, nobody wanted to fight him when I boxed with him. I decided that I would box, not attack, and put pressure on him.
He wants you to attack him, and when fighters like Murat Gassiev attack him, he makes you look like an absolute fool.
He will leave Tyson Fury no choice but to attack him because he will create an advantage, and Tyson Fury will be chasing a ghost, - said Bellew.
Usyk and Bellew met in November 2018—Oleksandr won by knockout in the 8th round.