Former cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew is very familiar with Oleksandr Usyk.

In what became Usyk's final bout at cruiserweight, he retained his undisputed world title status when he dramatically knocked out Bellew in 2018. Bellew retired from boxing in the aftermath.

Usyk would then move up to the heavyweight division.

In his third fight in the division, last September at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Usyk outboxed Anthony Joshua over twelve rounds to capture the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight titles.

Joshua would then exercise an immediate rematch clause, with the second contest scheduled for August 20 in Saudi Arabia.

Bellew believes his countryman is fully capable of beating Usyk, who entering that bout is the betting favorite. 

"He is more than capable of beating any heavyweight in the world. He has all the attributes and has the physical ability to beat anybody. He's just got to understand and know and believe that himself. He has [the ability]. The best of him is good enough to beat anybody," Bellew said to IFL TV.

"He just has to be willing to go to the places he's gone to in the past. I wouldn't say belief is a thing because I do know he does believe he's going to win. But it's carrying that to the ring. That same thought process, that same belief and following throw with your plan. It's one thing saying it, it's another thing preparing it, but it's a whole different ball game trying to do it."

Joshua has made several adjustments to his team to get ready for the second fight, like parting ways with longtime trainer Robert McCracken. The British superstar is now working with veteran trainer Robert Garcia.