The former world champion thanked the referee in the ring for saving his life in the match.
Tony Bellew recalls his fight with then absolute heavyweight champion Alexander Usik. We remind you that the British boxer lost when the referee stopped the fight early.
However, the former world champion holds no grudge against the judge. He was even more thankful because he believed he saved his life when he decided to stop the fight at the right time.
“It was too hard. Obviously Usyk is amazing. I’ve fought stronger guys, faster guys, but I’ve never fought someone like Usyk. He has everything. He reads you.
Alexander reads information about what you are doing. He has all the data about you in his head. To do this he needs three rounds. To me it took him eight. And then Usyk does it – he pulls the trigger. But I was tired. I remember everything until the seventh round. I don’t remember the eighth round.
I went up to the number of six. Usyk didn’t kick me out… I got up at six o’clock. Thank God the judge didn’t let me continue the fight, because he would have killed me. The referee saved my life. The next blow probably killed me.
Boxing at the highest professional level is a brutal sport. My priority is to bring home a piece, although my aim is to win at any cost,” Belew was quoted as saying by talkSPORT.
Remember that in November 2018, Usyk defeated Bellew by knockout in the eighth round, after which the Briton retired.
We remind you that Usik’s former rival was once threatened with a beating.
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Source: korrespondent
I am Ashley Ortiz and I am a professional journalist working for Athletistic. My specialty is in sports journalism, particularly boxing. I have written articles for some of the most renowned publications on the subject, and my work has been featured across both print and digital media platforms.
