Lennox Lewis has publicly praised Oleksandr Usyk, calling him a fitting heir to the mantle of a "great" heavyweight champion. Usyk made history in 2024 by becoming the first undisputed heavyweight world champion since Lewis, securing the title after a decisive victory over Tyson Fury. The Ukrainian fighter remains unbeaten and has cemented his reputation as the premier heavyweight of his generation, boasting two victories over Fury, two over Anthony Joshua, and two over Daniel Dubois. Lewis, who has observed Usyk’s training camps firsthand, described the Ukrainian as a worthy successor.
"Yes, Oleksandr Usyk is a great champion, a great person, he trains hard," Lewis told Sky Sports. He added, "He’s done it all. He’s sacrificed. He’s got a great family and he deserves his flowers." 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 that has defined their lives. Fury himself has retired and unretired multiple times, illustrating how the lure of the ring can be irresistible.
Lewis, one of boxing’s all‑time greats, has already achieved every accolade imaginable. Yet even he admits that the temptation to return was strong. "Many times I felt like jumping back in the ring," he recalled, "but focus and discipline kept me out. Let me tell you, it was hard.
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’d done everything already, I don’t need to prove anything anymore.
So I stayed out of boxing." Lewis’s career concluded on a high note when he faced Vitali Klitschko, a future dominant champion, in a brutal encounter that ended in Lewis’s favor. He recalled his trainer Emanuel Steward’s words before the fight: "Listen, you can beat the present and the future with this fight." Lewis answered, "Well, I’ll take it." The bout was far from pretty, but the victory added a dramatic final chapter to his storied legacy. Reflecting on his own achievements, Lewis said his ambition from the start was clear: "My aim was to be the greatest heavyweight.
From when I started boxing I said I wanted to be the greatest heavyweight. 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." Usyk’s rise mirrors many of the qualities Lewis admired: relentless work ethic, strategic intelligence, and a willingness to sacrifice for the sport. By defeating Fury twice, Joshua twice, and Dubois twice, Usyk has demonstrated a consistency that few heavyweights have managed in recent decades.
His ability to adapt to different styles—whether the slick boxing of Fury or the power‑driven approach of Joshua—underscores his versatility and deep boxing IQ. The upcoming clash with Verhoeven represents a novel challenge, pitting a pure boxer against a seasoned kick‑boxer. It highlights Usyk’s desire to test himself against varied opponents, a trait that Lewis respects. While the fight’s outcome remains uncertain, the mere fact that Usyk is willing to step into the ring for such an unconventional bout speaks volumes about his competitive spirit.
In the broader context of heavyweight history, Lewis’s endorsement carries significant weight. As a former undisputed champion who retired on his own terms, his perspective offers a benchmark for evaluating the next generation. By labeling Usyk a "great champion" and a "great person," Lewis acknowledges not only the Ukrainian’s in‑ring accomplishments but also his character outside the ropes.
The heavyweight division continues to evolve, with fighters like Fury, Joshua, and now Usyk shaping its narrative. Usyk’s unbeaten record and his collection of titles position him as a central figure in this ongoing story.
His willingness to face new challenges, such as the Verhoeven bout, suggests a career that, while perhaps winding down, remains driven by ambition and a love for competition. Lewis’s reflections also serve as a reminder that even the most celebrated athletes grapple with the decision to retire.
The pull of the spotlight, the camaraderie of the gym, and the desire to add to an already impressive résumé can be powerful forces. Yet, as Lewis demonstrated, discipline and a clear sense of purpose can help an athlete step away when the time is right.
In sum, Lennox Lewis’s praise of Oleksandr Usyk underscores a passing of the torch within the heavyweight ranks. Usyk’s achievements, his relentless training ethic, and his willingness to confront new challenges embody the qualities that defined Lewis’s own storied career. As the sport looks ahead, fans can anticipate that Usyk will continue to build on his legacy, perhaps even reaching the heights that Lewis once occupied, while also carving out a unique place in boxing history.