Summary

  • Oleksandr Usyk stops Tony Bellew in eighth round in Manchester

  • Usyk retains WBC, IBF, WBA & WBO cruiserweight titles

  • Bellew made good start but Usyk took control to remain undisputed champion

  • Anthony Crolla beats Daud Yordan in WBA lightweight title final eliminator

  • Get involved: Tweet #bbcboxing or text 81111 (UK only)

  • Listen to Radio 5 live commentary by selecting audio icon above (UK only)

  1. Goodnight...published at 00:08 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November 2018

    BellewImage source, Reuters

    And that seems like a pretty good way to wrap things up.

    What fight from Tony Bellew. What a career. What a man.

    But as Bellew looks to move away from the ring, Oleksandr Usyk readies himself to dominate inside it for years to come.

    Thanks for joining us. Until next time...

  2. 'He can be proud of his career'published at 00:05 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November 2018

    Richie Woodhall
    Former world champion at Manchester Arena for BBC Radio 5 live

    He will be heartbroken because you are when you lose a world title fight, but he couldn't have done anymore. He gave everything and tactically he got it spot on, but he just couldn't maintain it. He can be very proud of his career and his performance but he was beaten by an exceptional boxer.

  3. The Usyk entouragepublished at 00:02 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November 2018

    UsykImage source, Getty Images
  4. Postpublished at 00:00 Greenwich Mean Time 11 November 2018

    Richie Woodhall
    Former world champion at Manchester Arena for BBC Radio 5 live

    Tony Bellew has only lost in world championship fights, which says everything about him.

  5. 'If AJ's power doesn't deter Usyk, it's a 50/50 fight'published at 23:59 Greenwich Mean Time 10 November 2018

    Steve Bunce
    BBC Radio 5 live boxing pundit at Manchester Arena

    You go for Joshua now, but Joshua can't do what Bellew did there in the first few rounds. Joshua has to box like he did against Parker, risk-free, and hope his power deters Usyk. If his power doesn't deter Usyk, it's a 50/50 fight.

  6. Postpublished at 23:58 Greenwich Mean Time 10 November 2018

    Richie Woodhall
    Former world champion at Manchester Arena for BBC Radio 5 live

    I think Oleksandr Usyk being 6ft 3 and AJ being 6ft 6 would make it a tough ask. Tony Bellew showed the blueprint of how to beat him, and I think AJ would beat him. Cruiserweights have moved up and won titles in the past but you have to be special boxer. Usyk is a special boxer but against AJ or a Tyson Fury at 6ft 9 is a very tough ask.

    Anthony JoshjuaImage source, Getty Images
  7. 'AJ v Usyk will be a huge fight'published at 23:57 Greenwich Mean Time 10 November 2018

    BBC Radio 5 live

    More from Eddie Hearn, on Oleksandr Usyk's future: "We will sit down with the team and plot his next move and I think he will move to heavyweight.

    "For four rounds Tony outboxed him, but ultimately he will be difficult to beat. One day Oleksandr Usyk against Anthony Joshua is going to be a huge fight.

    "My heart is in Bellew's pocket and I'm not interested in talking about Oleksandr Usyk, I want to pay tribute to Tony Bellew."

  8. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 23:56 Greenwich Mean Time 10 November 2018

    Text 81111

    Usyk has no chance against a half decent 17 stone man let alone AJ, people don't realise how much extra power the heavyweights have.

    Ben D, Telford

  9. 'Bellew went out on his shield'published at 23:55 Greenwich Mean Time 10 November 2018

    Richie Woodhall
    Former world champion at Manchester Arena for BBC Radio 5 live

    I think to sum him up, Tony Bellew has been a true world champion who has come from nothing. He has been a tremendous advert for British boxing and he went out on his shield against an undisputed champion.

    Tony BellewImage source, Reuters
  10. 'Bellew has secured his future'published at 23:54 Greenwich Mean Time 10 November 2018

    BBC Radio 5 live

    Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live, promoter Eddie Hearn said: "He came through at a time fighters were earning £10,0000-15,000 for a British title fight. When we started together we never expected to hit these levels.

    "I still struggle to believe this is Tony Bellew headlining big fights, but there is not a man that deserves it more. It was starting to get on top and the shot was huge, but he got up where many wouldn't.

    "He swore blind to the referee he was OK to continue. Tonight he fought possibly pound to pound the best fighter in the sport.

    "If he had left the sport without that fight he would have regretted it. I am very proud of him. Beyond boxing he is a great man and he is a guy that would have your back and I am pleased he can leave the sport and be financially sound for life. He has secured his future and not may get out in that shape."

  11. 'AJ beats Usyk'published at 23:51 Greenwich Mean Time 10 November 2018

    Richie Woodhall
    Former world champion at Manchester Arena for BBC Radio 5 live

    I think Usyk would beat most heavyweights out there, but against Anthony Joshua I am not so sure. I would go for Joshua.

  12. Postpublished at 23:50 Greenwich Mean Time 10 November 2018

    Steve Bunce
    BBC Radio 5 live boxing pundit at Manchester Arena

    Tony speaking to Mike there: 'Was I down?' 'Could I have continued?' That's the honesty you've come to expect from him. Yes he was down, and no he couldn't have continued.

    Tony BellewImage source, Getty Images
  13. Postpublished at 23:48 Greenwich Mean Time 10 November 2018

    See what our man Luke Reddy had to say about the world title bout in his fight report right here.

  14. Postpublished at 23:46 Greenwich Mean Time 10 November 2018

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post 2

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post 2
  15. 'People saw the real Bellew'published at 23:45 Greenwich Mean Time 10 November 2018

    Promoter Eddie Hearn on Sky Sports: "I thought he won the first three rounds and started to fade a bit. He just came up against a great fighter.

    "He's given everything to this sport and I am so pleased people have seen the real Tony Bellew. For now we should pay tribute to Tony Bellew. A great man, a great fighter."

    Tony BellewImage source, Getty Images
  16. Postpublished at 23:44 Greenwich Mean Time 10 November 2018

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  17. 'I've been doing this 20 years - it's over'published at 23:42 Greenwich Mean Time 10 November 2018

    BBC Radio 5 live

    Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live, Tony Bellew said: "He is just so hard and so awkward. He is big and he overpowers you. I tried my best and he is probably the best cruiserweight that ever lived.

    "He is better than what it says on the box. It is heartbreaking because I gave it everything I had. Heavyweights stay away, he takes a great shot and I don't even know if I hurt him. I have been doing this for 20 years, and it is over."

  18. 'It is definitely the end'published at 23:40 Greenwich Mean Time 10 November 2018

    Speaking to Sky Sports, Tony Bellew said: "Make sure you are clapping because he is an exceptional fighter. Oleksandr Usyk is a great champion and I lost to one of the best pound to pound fighters. I have no excuses and he is a great champion, he is the greatest man I have ever shared the ring with. I don't even know what he caught me with. When you nail him he is hard to pin down. He is just better than me.

    "Sometimes you lose to great people and I have nothing but great things to say about him. I have tried to put my foot down and I don't remember much of the fight. Only the very best and the very biggest can beat him.

    "I have won at Goodison Park, and Eddie Hearn has stuck by me all the way. I tried my best and it is heart breaking because I gave this everything I had and it didn't work out. It is definitely the end."

    Tony BellewImage source, Reuters
  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 23:38 Greenwich Mean Time 10 November 2018

    #bbcboxing or text 81111

    Mark Blow: As good as Usyk is there's a big difference going up again a heavyweight champion like Joshua. Joshua is at least 3" taller and a couple of stone heavier with a bigger reach as well. Joshua is also younger and fitter than Bellew. Will Usyk lose speed going up a weight?

    Imran Sidat: Respect to @TonyBellew, external. What a warrior and what a fantastic career he's had. Ran in to a machine in @usykaa, external. Great fight!

    Alexander Davenport: That was just a brutal KO. Great fight and credit to both fighters. Congrats @usykaa, external

  20. AJ on the cards?published at 23:37 Greenwich Mean Time 10 November 2018

    What about fighting Anthony Joshua?

    Usyk's promoter fancies it... "He definitely needs to fight Anthony Joshua."

    So what would Usyk change to fight AJ?

    "Eat more pasta..."

    UsykImage source, Getty Images