Lennox Lewis has publicly praised Oleksandr Usyk, labeling him a "great" champion and a fitting successor to the legacy of heavyweight greatness. Usyk made history by becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lewis, securing the title after his decisive victory over Tyson Fury in 2024.
The Ukrainian fighter remains unbeaten and has cemented his status as the premier heavyweight of his generation, boasting two triumphs over Fury, two wins against Anthony Joshua, and two victories over Daniel Dubois. Lewis, who has observed Usyk’s training camps firsthand, described him as an exemplary champion and a commendable individual who works tirelessly in the gym. "Yes, Oleksandr Usyk is a great champion, a great person, he trains hard," Lewis told Sky Sports. The former heavyweight king added, "He’s done it all, he’s made sacrifices, he has a wonderful family, and he truly deserves all the accolades he receives." Usyk is now approaching the twilight of his career, with an upcoming unconventional WBC title bout against kick‑boxing legend Rico Verhoeven slated to take place in Egypt.
The prospect of retirement is always fraught for heavyweight champions, who often find it difficult to step away from the sport they love. Fury himself has retired and unretired several times, illustrating how challenging it can be for elite fighters to stay out of the ring. The broader boxing calendar for 2026 continues to generate excitement, with numerous high‑profile match‑ups penciled in for the coming year. Fans can stream events without contracts through platforms like NOW, tune into the weekly Toe2Toe podcast for in‑depth analysis, or catch the latest highlights and video content across various media outlets.
Reflecting on his own storied career, Lewis acknowledges that he achieved virtually every milestone possible in the sport. Yet even he felt the pull of the ring on multiple occasions. "There were many moments when I thought about stepping back into the squared circle," he admitted, "but discipline and focus kept me away. It was tough.
I wanted to retire definitively, but the urge to return was always there. HBO gave me a commentator role, which kept me close to boxing, but I was still trying to distance myself. I told myself I had already proven everything I needed to, so I stayed out." Lewis’s final bout was a memorable clash against Vitali Klitschko, a fight that was both brutal and historic. He recalled his trainer Emanuel Steward’s advice: "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, ending his career on a high note.
When asked about his legacy, Lewis expressed satisfaction in having become the preeminent heavyweight of his era. "That was my aim from the moment I stepped into the gym," he said.
"I wanted to be the greatest heavyweight, just like Muhammad Ali, and collect every accolade—whether European, British, or world titles. As long as I won them all, I felt I had achieved my dream." Lewis’s endorsement of Usyk underscores a passing of the torch from one generation of champions to the next. While Usyk continues to dominate the heavyweight division, his upcoming bout with Verhoeven adds an intriguing twist to his already impressive résumé. Whether he chooses to retire after that fight or continues to defend his titles, his status as a worthy heir to the heavyweight throne appears firmly established, echoing the admiration and respect he has earned from legends like Lennox Lewis.