Boxing: Oleksandr Usyk wins - Bellew warns heavyweights

Four-time world champion Oleksandr Usyk sends Tony Bellew in retirement. The defeated Briton warns the heavyweights in front of the aspiring Ukrainian.

A knockout victory, an immediate resignation of the opponent and a serious warning to Anthony Joshua and Co. The four-time heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk has put in Manchester a powerful exclamation point.

The Ukrainian, champion of the federations IBF, WBO, WBA, WBC and first winner of the Muhammad Ali Trophy, defended his trophy collection against the englishman Tony Bellew. The 31-year-old Usyk sent Bellew down in the eighth round with a brutal left hook.

Bellew dominated the undefeated champ in the first few rounds with a few counter-attacks and kept the fight open for a surprisingly long time - according to ESPN, two judges saw him in the lead - but in the end Usyk was able to turn the ball around impressively.

The 35-year-old Bellew announced retirement after his third defeat in the 34th professional fight and was sure that Usyk will cause a stir among the heavyweights.

"He's so tough and so dangerous," Bellew told the BBC, "It's huge and overpowering you, I tried my best, but he's probably the best cruiserweight guy ever, heavyweights, stay away from him, he has a massive punch, I do not even know if I could hurt him at all. "

Oleksandr Usyk KO'd Tony Bellew then warned Anthony Joshua: I'm coming for you. Having beaten the best at 200lb, the undefeated Usyk has no remaining ambitions at the lower weight.

A union fight against Wilder or Fury on English soil would be a coup; he would further strengthen the power of the two television broadcasters Sky and DAZN, which cooperated with Hearn's Matchroom Boxing company, and prepare the ground to attack the American market soon.