Tony Bellew claims he would've been KILLED in the ring by Oleksandr Usyk were it not for the referee's intervention during their fight.
The former cruiserweight world champion's boxing career was brought to a firm end in November 2018 with a KO defeat to Usyk, who conquered the division and currently holds three of the four major heavyweight belts as well.
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The bout concluded in round eight after a brutal left hook by the Ukrainian sent Bellew to the canvas.
Bellew managed to beat the count, however, referee Terry O'Connor waved off the contest.
And Bellew is grateful for O'Connor's decision, suggesting he wouldn't be around today if Usyk was given licence to punch him more.
Asked what it's like to fight Usyk, Bellew said on I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here: "Too hard.
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"Obviously he's amazing. I've fought stronger people, I've fought quicker people, but I've never fought someone like him who has got everything. He works you out.
"He downloads what you do. He's downloading all the data in front of him. It takes him three rounds to do it. With me, it took him eight. And then he does it, he pulled the trigger.
"But I was exhausted, like. I remember everything up until round seven. I don't remember round eight."
When asked if Usyk hits hard by Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson, Bellew said: "No and I was up at six.
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"He didn't knock me clean out… I get up at six, thank God the referee didn't let me because he'd have killed me.
"The referee literally saved my life. Next shot probably puts me away for good.
"So, boxing at the highest level in the professional business is brutal. My priority was to make it home safe. After that it was to win at all costs."