Tony Bellew was on the receiving end of a thunderous left hand that forced the referee to save him.
In his astonishing career, ‘The Bomber’ made a reputation for his fighting heart and outstanding punching power.
However, while he was often the hammer, sometimes he had to be the nail. For example, Oleksandr Usyk finished Bellew in terrifying fashion.
But the pound-for-pound number one isn’t the only boxer who’s knocked the Englishman out.
WOW: Tony Bellew reveals the fight that drastically changed his life
Tony Bellew got destroyed by Adonis Stevenson
On November 30, 2013, Tony Bellew challenged Adonis Stevenson for the WBC and Ring Magazine light heavyweight world titles in Colisée de Québec in Canada.
Going into the bout, the Liverpudlian was more than aware that he was about to share the ring with a monstrous puncher, capable of turning his lights off at any single second.
However, with confidence coursing through his veins, he walked out in front of a hostile crowd, with the intent of giving everything in his power to upset the apple cart.
Alas, it was evident from the first bell that he was in trouble, with the Canadian having no problems finding the target.
As the rounds rolled by, ‘Superman’ began to land thunderous shots that stunned the challenger.
By the sixth round, it looked like just a matter of time, with Stevenson landing an explosive left hand that sent Bellew hurtling toward the canvas.
In a testament to his bravery, the Brit managed to rise to his feet, but his rival wasn’t going to let him off the hook, connecting with a series of vicious shots that left him on wobbly legs and prompted the referee to dive in.
Tony Bellew’s rival relives dropping retired champion: ‘He will be talking about this shot all his life’
While his defeat to Stevenson was the first time Bellew had been knocked out, it wasn’t the first time he’d been dropped.
During his career, he hit the canvas on a number of occasions, once to a rival who almost had him out of there.
However, after putting the future world champion on the canvas, an element of doubt entered his mind.
Now, that boxing star has revealed what he thought when he dropped Bellew.