The 32 year-old was long-linked to a clash with Huck for the WBO title the former champion held for a record-equalling thirteen defences, although undefeated Pole Krzysztof Glowacki blew that fight out of the water.
Glowacki stopped Huck in eleven rounds at the Prudential Center in New Jersey last month and Bellew says the decision to make the move stateside may well have cost the ex-heavyweight title challenger dearly.
“Huck losing to Glowacki doesn’t really shock me too much,” Bellew told World Boxing News.
““If that fight was in Germany I believe Huck coasts to a points win, but he wanted to impress his new American audience and paid the ultimate price.
“I’m not sure why he chased a knockout in a fight he was clearly winning. His job was almost done, but he switched off and paid the price by getting knocked out.”
Now that Glowacki sits on top of the 200lbs tree, a new dawn of contenders are taking over as the likes of Huck and Krzysztof Wlodarczyk have recently saw their stranglehold over the cruiserweight limit ended.
One of those coming through is Olympic champion Oleksandr Usyk, who has knocked out all eight of his foes since turning pro following success at London 2012, and Bellew is convinced the Ukrainian can continue his eye-catching progress.
“I’ve sparred with him on international squads in Ukraine and he is a fantastic fighter,” said Bellew.
“Usyk is already one of the top boys in the division, although this is not the amateurs and it’s a different game.
“Look at Rahim Chakhkiev who was equally an outstanding amateur or the Russian and Kazak boys at that weight. Some of them have been stopped since turning pro.
“This is professional boxing and it’s about so much more than just skill. This is a brutal business and not for the faint hearted or the tip tap boxers.
“After saying all that, I do believe Usyk is one of the future stars of boxing though,” he added.
