Tony Bellew's final fight ends in brave defeat as Oleksandr Usyk claims stunning eighth

Tony Bellew was stopped in the eighth round by the imperious, undisputed world cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, but the Liverpudlian summoned the classiest, most complete performance of his career against the master boxer from Ukraine.

The challenger tired after a brilliant start, taking the first three rounds, but Usyk purred into the contest thereafter and slowly took over to use his powerful left hands and retain the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO titles, as well as The Ring Magazine belt.

Remarkably, according to the scorecards, Bellew was ahead by a round on two of the judges cards, but his modus operandihere was always to turn it into a fight, not a boxing match.

“You are the greatest fighter I have ever shared a ring with, you are a great champion, you beat me fair and square,” said Bellew afterwards. Classy to the last.

In a cagey opening round as the two 200lb fighters felt each other out for size and range, Bellew landed more punches, moving smartly to avoid the southpaw’s traps. The Ukrainian was immediately more active in the second, but it brought the fight to light with great vigour. Usyk landed a fine jab, a left hand, but Bellew stabbed to the body with his right and landed a left hook himself, shaking the crowd into rapture.