Oleksandr Usyk vs Tony Bellew – who wins?
We ask key figures from the boxing world for their predictions on who wins the forthcoming cruiserweight battle with all four belts on the line between history-making Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk (15-0, 11KOs) and Liverpool's Tony Bellew (30-2-1, 20KOs) on November 10 at the Manchester Arena.
Frank Buglioni
Former British champion and World title contender
"It’s hard to go against one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. I think Bellew has overcome so much throughout his career and his skills have improved fight on fight. I believe Usyk will have to respect Bellew's power but his superior movement and footwork should keep him out of trouble. I think the Bomber will have flashes of success however, but, unfortunately for Bellew, Usyk also possesses a great chin and counter-punching ability.
I’m going for a wide points win from Usyk, but I will be rooting for Bellew to pull off the upset and prove the doubters, including myself, wrong!"
Isaac Dogboe
WBO World super-bantamweight champion
"Theoretically, I would say Usyk has the advantage, but Bellew had a great win against Haye on those two occasions so he cannot be written off."
Peter Sims
Boxing trainer and manager
"This is another great fight. I watched Usyk box a while back and thought he was a great talent, however, apart from Tony Bellew being a friend of mine, I still think the “Bomber” is too shrewd and far too resilient to be beaten by Usyk. I think this goes into late rounds stoppage or Bomber Bellew wins on points."
Jamie Speight
Three-time Southern Area champion
"Tony is one of my favourite characters in British boxing and I think his overall boxing ability is massively overlooked. He was an England rep for years as an amateur and has a brilliant boxing brain. He continues to prove people wrong time and time again, and I believe he does it again against Usyk.
I have the Bomber by late stoppage."
John Edwards
Professional boxing trainer at Guildford City Gym
"Bellew for for me by late round stoppage, probably around 8-9. I'm looking forward to this one!"
Steve Wood
VIP Promotions
"Got to admire what Tony Bellew has achieved in this sport but believe on this one he may have bitten off a bit more than he can chew.
I was out in Russia for the WBSS final when Usyk gave a near-flawless performance and however much I would like Tony to pull one out of the bag, I cannot see past a Usyk points win."
Shakan Pitters
Unbeaten light-heavyweight
"Usyk is a great fighter but I’m going for Bellew, as he seems physically and mentally ready for the task in hand."
Miles Shinkwin
Former Southern Area light-heavyweight champion
"While you can never truly write Bellew off, I think Usyk is special. I think he’d have been champion in any past era. He was Olympic champion at heavyweight and stopped our own Joe Joyce, who carries serious power. If he can take that, I don’t see how Bellew can trouble him.
My pick is Usyk via wide points decision."
Robbie Davies Jr
British and Commonwealth super-lightweight champion
"This is a special fight. Uysk being the man to beat after winning everything and beating all the best at the weight. But Tony being the man that puts it all on the line and does whatever it takes to win, I can honestly only see a Tony Bellew win by stoppage early."
Chez Nihell
Cruiserweight debutant
"I want Bellew to win but I admire Usyk's style and when you look at everything he's got, on paper, he's going to be the winner, but I would love tfor here to be an upset. They can both bang and I think there could be a KO.
Obviously, I'd love Bellew to win for British boxing. It's even more exciting for me because it's my division."
Dean Gillen
Professional boxer at super-middleweight
"The Bomber Bellew's had a crazy career and I can see him ending on a high.
Usyk is by far his toughest challenge and it will be very tactical to start, but I think Tony will rise to the challenge, and, once he lands a bomb, he will have to unleash everything he's got to get Usyk out of there!
Bomber by stoppage."
Tim Rickson
Sports Agent and Founder of BBN
"Although I really rate and respect Tony for his brace of wins over David Haye, I do think he caught him just at the right time on his way out, as Haye was a shadow of himself in both fights. Taking nothing away from Bellew, however, because he boxed brilliantly both times, so full credit to him. He proved everyone wrong and has another chance to do the same thing in this fight with Usyk.
However, I do think that Usyk is something special and I don't believe that Bellew can beat the no.1 cruiserweight in the world, so I expect Usyk to outbox Bellew and win on points. It won't be easy and I can see both fighters being tentative at times as they will be well aware of each other's skill. I think Bellew will go on the backfoot and counter-punch in this fight, similar to the style of his last two bouts.
Obviously, i want Tony to win, but if he doesn't, he can retire with his head held high with a very respectable bank balance, which he thoroughly deserves. Hat tip to trainer David Coldwell for installing that unbreakable belief and confidence in his cruiserweight charge – he has to be rated as one of the best trainers in the world for that."
Joe Neale
Boxing Agent and Matchmaker
"I think if you want to see the real Bellew as a cruiserweight , then watch his fight with Masternak. It was a hard close fight against a fringe world title contender. Usyk is an elite level talent and the best, I think he will stop Bellew in the late rounds. Bellew has gained much confidence from Makubu and Haye wins but not enough to win. I just don’t think Bellew brings anything Usyk hasn’t seen."
Mick Gordon
Ring Announcer
"Gotta go for Bellew. The way he whacked David Haye into retirement, I reckon more of same for Usyk!"
Niall Doran
Boxing News and Views
"I bet against Tony twice in the Haye fights, won't be doing it a third time. Although against the odds with the bookmakers, I'm going to say Bellew by TKO! He's proven to thrive on being an underdog and going to go for the long shot this time. Anything can happen in boxing and at cruiserweight Bellew is definitely a puncher."
Sergio Michel
American guitarist and songwriter
"Bellew is not an extremely gifted fighter but he's beaten fighters better than himself; Usyk is extremely gifted but has never been tested on a high level. Bellew has non-existent defense and evasiveness, Usyk has non-existent defense and evasiveness. Bellew fights with a chip on his shoulder, Usyk fights like a methodical surgeon.
For Usyk to win, he must abandon caution and swing away on Bellew. He is super accurate and strong, getting a bit loose and less refined won't cost him that much.
For Bellew to win, he must unload combinations and avoid getting hit by the more accurate puncher.
I see Bellew winning narrowly because of his chip on his shoulder keeping him standing up. He'll win by attrition on cards."
Betting Odds provided by William Hill
Latest best odds for Oleksandr Usyk vs Tony Bellew (at 9.30am on October 13)
Oleksandr Usyk win: 15/8Frank Buglioni and Tim Rickson both favour this outcome
Tony Bellew win: 12/1Peter Sims is betting on his buddy to win on points
Oleksandr Usyk stoppage: 5/6 Joe Neale has picked this ending
Tony Bellew stoppage:11/2Niall Doran is not betting against the Bomber a third time
Draw:25/1No one above is sitting on the fence for this one