Lennox Lewis has publicly praised Oleksandr Usyk, describing him as a fitting heir to the mantle of a "great" heavyweight champion. Usyk’s ascent to the top of the heavyweight division has been nothing short of historic; he secured the distinction of being the first undisputed world heavyweight champion since Lewis himself, achieving this milestone after his decisive victory over Tyson Fury in 2024.
The Ukrainian fighter remains unbeaten and has quickly cemented his reputation as the pre‑eminent heavyweight of his generation. His résumé boasts two triumphs over Tyson Fury, two over former champion Anthony Joshua, and two wins against the formidable Daniel Dubois. Such a record has convinced many observers, including Lewis, that Usyk has earned the right to be regarded as the sport’s new standard‑bearer. Lewis, who has spent time observing Usyk’s training camp, spoke to Sky Sports about the younger champion’s qualities.
"Oleksandr Usyk is a great champion, a great person, he trains hard," Lewis said. He went on to add that Usyk has "done it all, sacrificed a lot, has a wonderful family, and truly deserves the accolades he receives." Usyk now finds himself approaching the latter stages of a career that has already taken him to the pinnacle of boxing. He is slated to face kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven in a highly unconventional WBC title bout in Egypt, a contest that underscores how heavyweight champions often struggle to step away from the sport entirely.
The heavyweight division, in particular, has seen numerous champions wrestle with retirement, with Tyson Fury being a prime example—having retired and unretired on several occasions. Looking ahead, the boxing calendar for 2026 promises a series of marquee events that will keep fans engaged. Streaming platforms such as NOW are offering contract‑free access to upcoming fights, while podcasts like Toe2Toe provide weekly analysis and commentary for enthusiasts who want to stay informed. Lewis himself is a legend who accomplished virtually everything a boxer could aspire to.
Yet even he admits that the lure of the ring was hard to resist. "Many times I felt like jumping back in the ring," he confessed, "but focus and discipline kept me out." He explained that after retiring, he took a commentator role with HBO, which kept him close to the sport he loved.
"I told myself I’d already done everything, I didn’t need to prove anything more, so I stayed away," Lewis reflected. One of the most memorable moments of Lewis’s career was his brutal showdown with Vitali Klitschko, a bout that ended with Lewis emerging victorious and solidifying his place among the greats.
He recalled his trainer Emanuel Steward’s words before the fight: "Listen, you can beat the present and the future with this fight," to which Lewis replied, "Well, I’ll take it." Though the fight was far from pretty, it was a testament to Lewis’s resilience and fighting spirit. When asked about his legacy, Lewis expressed satisfaction with having become the premier heavyweight of his era. "That was my aim from the moment I started boxing," he said. "I wanted to be the greatest heavyweight, just like Muhammad Ali, and collect every accolade possible—whether it was a European title, a British title, or any other honor.
As long as I won them all, I felt I had achieved my goal." Usyk’s journey mirrors many of those aspirations. His relentless work ethic, strategic acumen, and ability to adapt to different opponents have made him a benchmark for future champions.
While the sport continues to evolve, the respect shown by former greats like Lewis underscores the continuity of excellence that defines heavyweight boxing. As Usyk prepares for his upcoming clash with Verhoeven, fans can anticipate another chapter in a career that, like Lewis’s, may one day be looked back upon as a defining era for the heavyweight division.