Lennox Lewis has publicly praised Oleksandr Usyk, calling him a "great" heavyweight champion and a fitting heir to his own storied legacy. In Lewis’s view, Usyk embodies the qualities that define a true champion—skill, dedication, and a relentless work ethic. The Ukrainian fighter made history in 2024 when he secured the undisputed heavyweight crown by defeating Tyson Fury, a feat that had not been accomplished since Lewis himself held the title.
This victory cemented Usyk’s place at the pinnacle of the sport and marked him as the first boxer in over two decades to unify all major heavyweight belts. Usyk’s record remains spotless. He has not suffered a single defeat and has built a résumé that includes two victories over Tyson Fury, two wins against former champion Anthony Joshua, and two triumphs over the powerful Daniel Dubois. Each of these fights showcased his technical brilliance, strategic acumen, and the ability to adapt mid‑bout—traits that have earned him widespread respect among peers and pundits alike.
Lewis, who has observed Usyk’s training sessions and camp dynamics, affirmed that the Ukrainian’s commitment to hard work and his humble personality make him a deserving successor to the heavyweight throne. "Oleksandr Usyk is a great champion, a great person, he trains hard," Lewis told Sky Sports. "He’s done it all.
He’s sacrificed. He’s got a great family and he deserves his flowers." The former three‑time world heavyweight champion highlighted not only Usyk’s achievements inside the ring but also the personal sacrifices he has made outside of it—family support, rigorous training routines, and the mental fortitude required to stay at the top of a demanding sport.
Usyk’s career, while already illustrious, is entering a new phase as he prepares for an unconventional bout in Egypt against kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven. The fight, sanctioned by the WBC, will be a hybrid contest that blends boxing with elements of kickboxing, presenting a fresh challenge for the Ukrainian champion. Although the match is an intriguing spectacle, it also underscores a broader truth about heavyweight boxing: staying retired is often more difficult than staying active.
The sport’s biggest names, including Tyson Fury, have repeatedly announced retirements only to return to the ring, drawn back by the allure of competition and the desire to cement their legacies. Lewis reflected on his own retirement journey, noting how tempting it was to step back into the ring after hanging up his gloves. "Many times I felt like jumping back in the ring.
But focus, discipline kept me out," he admitted. He recounted the internal struggle of wanting to retire definitively while still feeling the pull of the sport he loved. His post‑boxing career as a commentator for HBO kept him close to the action, yet he consciously chose to stay away from the ring, recognizing that he had already achieved his ultimate goal.
"I said I've done everything already, I don't need to prove anything anymore. So I stayed out of boxing," Lewis said.
This sentiment reflects a common theme among elite athletes: once the pinnacle is reached, the drive to prove oneself diminishes, and the focus shifts to preserving the legacy already built. Lewis also reminisced about his own defining moments, particularly his victory over Vitali Klitschko—a bout that was brutal, gritty, and emblematic of his fighting spirit. He recalled his trainer Emanuel Steward’s words: "Listen, you can beat the present and the future with this fight," to which Lewis responded, "Well, I’ll take it." The fight was far from pretty, but it demonstrated Lewis’s willingness to engage in the toughest contests and emerge victorious. Looking back, Lewis expressed satisfaction with his career, stating that his ambition had always been to become the greatest heavyweight of his era, mirroring the aspirations of legends like Muhammad Ali.
"From when I started boxing I said I wanted to be the greatest heavyweight," he said. "I wanted to be just like Muhammad Ali and win all the accolades, whether they were European, British, or any other title, as long as I won them all." In summary, Lennox Lewis’s endorsement of Oleksandr Usyk highlights a passing of the torch within the heavyweight division. Usyk’s unbeaten record, his victories over top-tier opponents, and his dedication to the sport align with the standards set by Lewis during his own reign.
As Usyk prepares for his upcoming hybrid bout with Rico Verhoeven, the heavyweight world watches with anticipation, aware that the mantle of greatness continues to be carried forward by a champion who embodies both the physical prowess and the character that define a true heavyweight legend.