Tony Bellew says Oleksandr Usyk will take the WBO cruiserweight title from Krzysztof Glowacki
Friday 16 September 2016 12:39, UK
Tony Bellew expects Oleksandr Usyk to win the WBO world title and become a "serious threat" in the cruiserweight division.
Ukrainian Usyk challenges holder Krzysztof Glowacki in Gdansk, Poland, live on Sky Sports 2 on Saturday in only his 10th professional fight.
Recently-crowned WBC champion Bellew will be on commentary and not only predicts Usyk to win on foreign soil, but believes he could be the only cruiserweight in the world that will pose a threat to him.
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He told Sky Sports: "Usyk has a serious amateur pedigree - Olympic champion, world champion and European champion - and he is the real deal. He really, really is.
"He is outstanding and I do think he is the only person in the world who can cause me problems at cruiserweight.
"When it comes to skills in the ring he is simply outstanding. I have watched him since the amateur days and ever since then I have been anticipating a showdown with him, I really have.
"Don't get me wrong, I know I am the best cruiserweight on the planet and I want to unify the division. I want to fight Denis Lebedev because he has two belts (IBF and WBA Super) but I do think Usyk will win the WBO and who knows?
"If there is money in there I will gladly fight Usyk. I have never dodged fights and I just beat the most feared cruiserweight in the world to become the WBC champion.
"We've known each other since the amateurs but the amateur and professionals are completely different games."
Usyk will meet Glowacki head on. I know what he's like and he wants exciting fights but he will have to be careful early on. Glowacki is dangerous early doors.
Bellew admits Usyk, nicknamed 'The Cat', could move straight through the cruiserweight division and end up as a heavyweight, following in Ukrainian compatriots Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko's footsteps.
'Bomber' sparred with him a few years ago and believes Usyk was able to win amateur bouts by either out-boxing or going for an all-out brawl, depending on what mood he is in.
Bellew is a clearly a fan but believes if the Ukrainian wants to go out to make a real knockout statement and stop Glowacki early, he could be in trouble.
He said: "I sparred with him when we were both amateurs and worked with him and back then he was very, very good. He punches very hard, he's very awkward and he does everything right.
"The one thing I will say is he can be hit. He is not a Lomachenko who is almost impossible to be hit thanks to his impeccable head movement - the one thing about Usyk is you can nail him.
"That will give Glowacki a bit of hope and anyone else in this cruiserweight division."
Glowacki will be making his second defence of the WBO belt he took off long-standing champion Marco Huck out in Newark, last August, stopping him in the 11th after being put down himself in the sixth.
The 30-year-old Pole's first defence saw him beat former world champion Steve Cunningham in April, putting him on the canvas four times on the way to a unanimous decision.
Bellew is still convinced Glowacki is "overrated" on the back of those two opponents but thinks his knockout power could be a major factor in the opening rounds on Saturday night.
He said: "Usyk will meet Glowacki head on. I know what he's like and he wants exciting fights but he will have to be careful early on.
"Glowacki is dangerous early doors but if Usyk can get on top of him in the first three or four rounds and not go in gung-ho, I think he will completely dishearten him and get the stoppage.
"If he decides to trade and have a slug-fest early on it is the wrong decision in my mind, but it will certainly be worth watching from the start!
"I am looking forward to Saturday night. It should be a great, great fight and you will be on the edge of your seat."
Watch Glowacki v Usyk live from 9.30pm, Saturday, Sky Sports 2.
