Tony Bellew reveals he has lost 30lbs since beginning training for Oleksandr Usyk fight

Bellew is just half a stone away from making the 200lbs cruiserweight limit with four weeks to spare

Tom Kershaw
Thursday 18 October 2018 15:21 BST
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Tony Bellew vs Oleksandr Usyk

Tony Bellew says he’s not interested in transforming into an Adonis after losing 30lbs ahead of his clash with Oleksandr Usyk as he edges towards making the 200lbs cruiserweight limit.

The 35-year-old had blown up in weight after knocking out David Haye in their rematch in May with uncertainty over a future fight date and murmurings of a potential retirement before the opportunity to challenge the Ukrainian emerged.

With less than four weeks to go until their bout on November 10, Bellew revealed that he was ahead of schedule and only half a stone away from the weight limit in contrast to many sceptics predictions that a move back down from heavyweight could be to the Liverpudlian’s detriment.

"Listen, forget about the weight, forget about dieting, this is all about a fight, this is all about becoming undisputed cruiserweight champion of the world,” Bellew told Sky Sports.

"I don't care about the weight, I don't care about how good he is, how many stupid things he wants to say, that he's invisible in the ring.

"All that matters is what happens on November 10. It doesn't matter if I turn up with loads of muscles, a six pack, and look beautiful.

"All that matters is me going home with those four belts on November 10, and I'm going to do it."

Oleksandr Usyk is the overwhelming betting favourite to beat Bellew

Bellew faces the toughest challenge of his career in Usyk who is the undisputed cruiserweight champion and inarguably one of the best boxers in the sport today. The Olympic gold medallist beat two feared and undefeated world champions in Mairis Breidis and Murat Gassiev on his way to winning the World Boxing Super Series. Usyk travelled away from home for both bouts so a trip to the British capital won’t faze him.

"This is the toughest fight of my life, without a shadow of a doubt," said Bellew.

"This is the most formidable opponent I have ever faced, and he is the man who everybody is scared of. He is the monster who everyone is running away from, and it's only a dope like me that can run right at him, and want a fight with him.

"We'll soon found out, November 10. I'm not going to shock the world for the first time, not even the second time, it's going to be the third time.

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