Sky Sports panelist Johnny Nelson dropped a bombshell on Saturday night. The former WBO cruiserweight champion stated his belief that Tony Bellew can outbox Oleksandr Usyk on November 10.
Contrary to the belief of the vast majority of those predicting the fight, Nelson says Bellew has far more than a punchers chance.
Speaking in his role as a pundit for Anthony Joshua v Alexander Povetkin at Wembley, Nelson made his statement live on Sky Sports Box Office.
‘I think Bellew can outbox Usyk,” said Nelson, before being met with some disagreement from his fellow presenters.
Despite odds of 12/1 against Bellew claiming a points victory, Nelson believes ‘The Bomber’ can rack up more than six rounds against one of the world’s best boxers.
Usyk has solid amateur pedigree which includes an Olympic gold medal at London 2012. According to bookmakers, Bellew’s only hope is a quick knockout.
The pair collide at Manchester Arena and 20,000 are expected to pack into the former M.E.N.
WBSS
A massive favorite to win, Usyk is aiming to build on an impressive World Boxing Super Series. The 31 year-old defeated three past and present world champions on his way to winning the coveted Ali Trophy.
Marco Huck, Mairis Briedis and Murat Gassiev were all beaten in the first season of WBSS. Triumph cemented Usyk’s place as the undisputed cruiserweight king.
A run at heavyweight is expected to follow the Bellew fight, culminating in a shot at Anthony Joshua by 2020.
To seal the Joshua and Bellew contests, Usyk agreed a deal with Matchroom Boxing and Eddie Hearn to star on DAZN.
For Bellew, the Liverpool man is once again the underdog as he was against Junior Makabu when winning the WBC belt and twice against a faded David Haye at heavyweight.
Tickets went on sale to Matchroom Fight Pass holders on Friday, with general sale beginning on Monday.
Details of the Usyk v Bellew undercard will be revealed over the coming weeks. The fight goes out live on Sky Sports Box Office.
