Former heavyweight legend Lennox Lewis has publicly praised Oleksandr Usyk, calling him a fitting heir to the mantle of a "great" world champion. In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Lewis highlighted Usyk’s achievements and character, noting that the Ukrainian boxer embodies the qualities that define a true heavyweight champion.
Usyk’s rise to the pinnacle of the sport has been nothing short of historic. In 2024 he secured the undisputed heavyweight championship by defeating Tyson Fury, a feat that had not been accomplished since Lewis himself held the title. This victory placed Usyk in an elite group of fighters who have managed to unify the major heavyweight belts, a testament to his skill, determination, and strategic acumen inside the ring. The Ukrainian remains unbeaten, a record that speaks volumes about his consistency and dominance.
Over the course of his career, Usyk has amassed an impressive résumé that includes two victories over Tyson Fury, two wins against former champion Anthony Joshua, and two triumphs over the formidable Daniel Dubois. Each of these wins has reinforced his status as the premier heavyweight of his generation and has cemented his reputation as a fighter who can adapt to a variety of styles and overcome the toughest opposition.
Lewis, who has had the opportunity to observe Usyk’s training camps firsthand, described the champion as "a great champion, a great person, he trains hard." He emphasized that Usyk’s dedication to preparation, his sacrifice for the sport, and his strong family values make him deserving of the accolades he receives. "He’s done it all. He’s sacrificed.
He’s got a great family and he deserves his flowers," Lewis added, underscoring the personal qualities that complement Usyk’s professional achievements. While Usyk is approaching the later stages of his career, he remains active and eager to test himself against new challenges. He is slated to face kick‑boxing star Rico Verhoeven in an unconventional WBC title bout scheduled to take place in Egypt. This crossover event illustrates Usyk’s willingness to push the boundaries of traditional boxing and to explore novel match‑ups that can broaden his legacy.
However, the heavyweight division has long shown that true champions, especially those at the top of the weight class, find it difficult to step away from competition permanently. The sport has witnessed numerous retirements and comebacks, with Fury himself famously retiring and unretiring multiple times.
This pattern underscores the magnetic pull that the heavyweight throne exerts on its holders, a pull that even legends like Lewis have felt. Lewis recounted his own internal struggle with retirement, explaining that the allure of the ring was ever‑present.
"Many times I felt like jumping back in the ring. But focus, discipline kept me out," he said. He further explained that his transition to commentary with HBO kept him close to the action, yet he resisted the temptation to return as a competitor.
"I said I've done everything already, I don't need to prove anything anymore. So I stayed out of boxing," he affirmed. Reflecting on his own career, Lewis recalled his final bout against Vitali Klitschko, describing it as a brutal encounter that nonetheless ended on a high note. "My trainer Emanuel [Steward] said 'listen, you can beat the present and the future with this fight' and I said, 'Well, I'll take it.' It wasn't a pretty fight but I still won," Lewis recalled.
That victory, against a future dominant champion, served as a fitting capstone to his illustrious tenure. Lewis’s ambition throughout his career was clear: he wanted to be the greatest heavyweight of all time, mirroring the achievements of icons like Muhammad Ali.
He articulated this goal early on, stating, "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 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." This relentless drive propelled him to historic victories and cemented his place among the sport’s elite. In praising Usyk, Lewis not only acknowledges a peer who has continued the tradition of excellence but also signals the passing of the torch to a new generation. Usyk’s blend of technical brilliance, physical prowess, and personal integrity aligns with the standards set by Lewis and other greats.
As the heavyweight division evolves, the endorsement from a former champion of Lewis’s stature adds significant weight to Usyk’s claim as the rightful heir to the heavyweight throne. The upcoming fight with Verhoeven promises to be a unique spectacle, merging the worlds of boxing and kick‑boxing. Regardless of the outcome, Usyk’s willingness to engage in such a contest demonstrates his commitment to expanding the sport’s horizons and his own legacy. Whether he continues to defend his titles, explores cross‑disciplinary bouts, or eventually steps away from competition, his career will likely be remembered as a defining chapter in heavyweight history, much as Lennox Lewis’s own story has been for the previous era.