Tony Bellew has revealed that he landed himself in hot water with Sky for his conduct during Oleksandr Usyk’s win over Derek Chisora late last year.
The former WBC cruiserweight champion was working as a pundit for the bout which the Ukrainian won by unanimous decision.
Mark Robinson/Matchroom
Dave Thompson/Matchroom
While Bellew was on good terms with Usyk, who he previously fought in 2018, he made no effort to hide his support for long-time friend Chisora.
He explained on the MHM Social: “It was purely as a friendship thing.
“When it comes to Derek, we’re close friends. I don’t have many close friends left in the boxing world anymore and there’s not many guys out there who openly supported me when I was fighting.
“Derek was always there with my biggest fights, right by my side, screaming and shouting for me.
“And I’m a loyal person – what you do for me, I do for you.
Mark Robinson/Matchroom
“So it was just one of them nights. I got reprimanded and told off by Sky for my shouting and stuff, but don’t employ me for the fights where my friends are fighting if that’s not what you want.
“I can be the most professional person in the world when I want to be and I can be emotionless on fights.
“But you can’t have one of the closest people I’ve had to me in boxing over the last decade fighting a man I’ve fought, who I know inside out, and not expect me to cheer and shout for them.
“It is what it is mate, I’m not really that bothered about being told off and it doesn’t really concern me that much anymore.
“I’ll just keep going. I’ll always support Derek, regardless of the atmosphere, regardless of the environment and regardless of the opponent. I’ll always support Derek Chisora.”
