Bellew vs Usyk RECAP: Tony Bellew floored as Oleksandr Usyk retains belts in Manchester

Bellew vs Usyk RECAP: Tony Bellew floored as Oleksandr Usyk retains belts in Manchester

Bellew vs Usyk RECAP: Tony Bellew floored as Oleksandr Usyk retains belts in Manchester (Image: GETTY)

Bellew was left absolutely distraught after being ahead on two of the judges scorecards, holding his heads in his hands after the bout but has acknowledged the greatness of Usyk.

Bellew said: “I tried my best. He’s an exceptional fighter. He deserves all the awards. I lost to one of the pound for pound best.

“He is an amazing fighter. He beat me fair and square. There are no excuses.

“I tried to go for it, I tried to get him.

“He is so hard to pin down. He has done everything, I fought the very best.

“I’ve got nothing but great things to say about him. He is the best I’ve ever fought.

“It’s heartbreaking because I gave it everything I have.”

Bellew loses to Usyk via 8th round KO RECAP: How it happened

Round eight: Usyk’s work-rate and pressure is getting to Bellew and the Brit is down!

A couple of big shots sends the Bomber to the canvas and he can’t recover.

USYK WINS BY KNOCKOUT!

Round seven: Usyk caught Bellew again with a few good shots.

Bellew doesn’t appear to be too hurt, but he’s certainly slowed down from his pace in the opening rounds.

Usyk is now doing a much better job of finding a home for his jab and follow left hand.

Bellew vs Usyk RECAP: Tony Bellew floored as Oleksandr Usyk retains belts in Manchester

Bellew vs Usyk RECAP: Tony Bellew floored as Oleksandr Usyk retains belts in Manchester (Image: GETTY)

Round six: Bellew continues to use his movement to his advantage. 

After an impressive start to the fight, Bellew appears to be tiring. 

He was caught towards the end of the round, before giving one back to the champion.

Round five: Bellew again continues to defend well against the champion.

For the first time in the fight, Usyk manages to get through with a few good straight left hands.

Usyk catches Bellew with a few good shots towards the end of the round.

Bellew vs Usyk RECAP: Tony Bellew floored as Oleksandr Usyk retains belts in Manchester

Bellew vs Usyk RECAP: Tony Bellew floored as Oleksandr Usyk retains belts in Manchester (Image: GETTY)

Round four: Bellew has success in the fourth.

He pinned the Ukranian up against the ropes with a good shot.

As he taunted Usyk, he leaned against the ropes and put his hands on his hips.

Bellew vs Usyk RECAP: Tony Bellew floored as Oleksandr Usyk retains belts in Manchester

Bellew vs Usyk RECAP: Tony Bellew floored as Oleksandr Usyk retains belts in Manchester (Image: GETTY)

Round three: Bellew continues to take control of the fight. 

Usyk seems perplexed by the atmosphere and is struggling to get through to the Evertonian.

Could Bellew be on his way to a decision win?

Bellew vs Usyk RECAP: Tony Bellew floored as Oleksandr Usyk retains belts in Manchester

Bellew vs Usyk RECAP: Tony Bellew floored as Oleksandr Usyk retains belts in Manchester (Image: GETTY)

Round two: The Manchester crowd is certainly enjoying this one, every time Bellew throws a punch you can hear the reaction.

Bellew appears to call Usyk into the centre of the ring for a brawl, but the Ukranian is too wise to take the bait.

Certainly a Bellew round, as he caught the champion with two or three good shots.

Bellew vs Usyk RECAP: Tony Bellew floored as Oleksandr Usyk retains belts in Manchester

Bellew vs Usyk RECAP: Tony Bellew floored as Oleksandr Usyk retains belts in Manchester (Image: GETTY)

Round one: Both men tentative in the opening moments of the fight.

Usyk appeared to be using his leading right hand to feel out the distance, while Bellew attempted a few left hooks to the head and body.

On the bell, Bellew appeared to catch Usyk with a right hand that moved the Ukranian back, but he was not hurt.

Bellew vs Usyk RECAP: Tony Bellew floored as Oleksandr Usyk retains belts in Manchester

Bellew vs Usyk RECAP: Tony Bellew floored as Oleksandr Usyk retains belts in Manchester (Image: GETTY)

Both fighters have been introduced, and Usyk has presented his world title belts.

Tony Bellew is making his way to the ring now, and the atmosphere is electric.

Now, we’ve got Bellew’s usual ring-walk music of Z-Cars, in homage to his beloved Everton FC.

Grime artist Bugzy Malone is rapping Bellew into the ring. 

Bellew vs Usyk RECAP: Tony Bellew floored as Oleksandr Usyk retains belts in Manchester

Bellew vs Usyk RECAP: Tony Bellew floored as Oleksandr Usyk retains belts in Manchester (Image: GETTY)

Bellew vs Usyk results:

Richard Riakporhe bt Sam Hyde via TKO 8

Dave Allen bt Ariel Esteban Bracamonte via TKO 7

Josh Kelly bt Walter Fabian Castillo via TKO 1 

Dmytro Mytofanov draw Gino Kanters

Ricky Burns bt Scotty Cardle via KO 3

Anthony Crolla bt Daud Yordan via UD

Oleksandr Usyk bt Tony Bellew via KO 8