‘Creed’ Boxer Pretty Ricky Conlan Literally Knocked an Opponent Out of the Ring

Art imitates life, as 'Creed' actor and real-life boxer Tony Bellew pulled off a stunning upset by knocking an opponent through the ropes.

#Bellew 's face as he realises #haye is injured #HayeBellew pic.twitter.com/gzD2H6qKwZ

For those who aren’t boxing aficionados, Tony Bellew may best be known as Ricky Conlan—the man who went 12 rounds with Michael B. Jordan’s Adonis character in 2015’s Rocky reboot Creed. In real life, Bellew was the one handing out the punishing blows, as he served up a meme-worthy L to his opponent David Haye. Bellew knocked Haye through the ropes, causing Haye’s corner to cede the match in the 11th round.


“I’ve achieved what I got in boxing for tonight,” Bellew said during a post-fight presser. “I just made my three kids wealthy.”

The match nearly featured as many plot twists as Bellew’s role in Creed, as rumors circulated that Haye suffered what was believed to be an ankle or an Achilles injury earlier in the fight. Either way, Haye found himself on the wrong end of some rather punishing blows.

Roughly a month before the match, Bellew predicted an upset win, tweeting, “Believe me when I say I've been written off my whole career! It's nothing new! I'm going to shock a lot of people AGAIN on March 4th!”


Bellew was rather established in the boxing community before his role as the antagonist in Creed. The self-proclaimed “bomber” is a former three-time ABA Heavyweight Champion. Bellew also held the WBC intercontinental belt after defeating Edison Miranda in the ninth round in 2012.

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