Lennox Lewis has publicly praised Oleksandr Usyk, calling him a fitting successor to the lineage of "great" heavyweight champions. In Lewis's view, Usyk embodies the qualities that define a true champion, both inside and outside the ring. Usyk made history by becoming the first undisputed heavyweight world champion since Lewis himself, clinching the title after his decisive victory over Tyson Fury in 2024. The Ukrainian fighter has maintained an unbeaten record, solidifying his reputation as the premier heavyweight of his generation.
His résumé includes two wins over Fury, a pair of triumphs against Anthony Joshua, and two victories over Daniel Dubois, each bout reinforcing his dominance on the sport's biggest stage. Having observed Usyk's training camp firsthand, Lewis affirmed that the Ukrainian is not only a formidable athlete but also a commendable individual.
"Yes, Oleksandr Usyk is a great champion, a great person, he trains hard," Lewis told Sky Sports. He went on to add that Usyk's dedication, sacrifice, and supportive family environment make him deserving of the accolades he receives. While Usyk is approaching the twilight of his career, he is set to face kick‑boxing legend Rico Verhoeven in an unconventional WBC title bout scheduled for Egypt.
The matchup underscores the difficulty that heavyweight champions often face when trying to step away from the sport; the allure of competition and the pull of legacy can be hard to resist. Fury, for his part, has retired and unretired multiple times, illustrating the broader trend among top heavyweights who struggle to stay away from the ring once they have tasted success. Looking ahead, the boxing calendar for 2026 promises several marquee events, with fans eagerly awaiting announcements about upcoming title fights and cross‑promotional bouts. Streaming services such as NOW are offering contract‑free access to these fights, while podcasts like Toe2Toe provide weekly analysis and commentary for enthusiasts.
Lewis, who is widely regarded as one of the sport's all‑time greats, once achieved every milestone a boxer could aspire to. Yet even he admits that the temptation to return to competition was ever‑present. "Many times I felt like jumping back in the ring. But focus, discipline kept me out," he reflected.
He described the internal battle of wanting to retire permanently while still feeling the pull of the sport: "I wanted to retire and say I'm not coming back, and it was hard to stay out of the ring. HBO gave me a job as a commentator, and I was there in front of boxing again, trying to get away from boxing. I said I've done everything already, I don't need to prove anything anymore. So I stayed out of boxing." Lewis's own career concluded on a high note with a memorable victory over Vitali Klitschko, a fight that was as brutal as it was historic.
He recalled his trainer Emanuel Steward's words before the bout: "Listen, you can beat the present and the future with this fight," to which Lewis responded, "Well, I'll take it." Although the encounter was far from pretty, Lewis emerged victorious, cementing his legacy. When asked about his own achievements, Lewis expressed satisfaction with having become the preeminent heavyweight of his era. "That was my aim.
From when I started boxing I said I wanted to be the greatest heavyweight," he said. He drew inspiration from Muhammad Ali, aiming to collect every possible accolade across continents: "I wanted to be just like Muhammad Ali and win all the accolades along by getting up to the top, so if it was European, if it was British, if it was this, if it was that, as long as I won them all." In summary, Lewis's endorsement of Usyk highlights a passing of the torch within heavyweight boxing. Usyk's unbeaten streak, his victories over multiple former champions, and his willingness to take on unconventional challenges position him as a worthy heir to the throne.
Meanwhile, Lewis's reflections on retirement, legacy, and the relentless draw of the sport provide a poignant backdrop to the ongoing narrative of heavyweight greatness, reminding fans that the journey of a champion extends far beyond the final bell.