Lennox Lewis has publicly praised Oleksandr Usyk, describing him as a fitting successor to the mantle of a "great" heavyweight world champion. Usyk made history by becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lewis, clinching the title after his decisive victory over Tyson Fury in 2024. The Ukrainian fighter remains unbeaten and has solidified his reputation as the preeminent 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 camp firsthand, affirmed his belief that Usyk deserves the recognition as a true heir to the heavyweight throne.
"Yes, 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." Usyk is now approaching the twilight of his career, with a highly unusual WBC title bout on the horizon against kick‑boxing legend Rico Verhoeven in Egypt. The prospect of a heavyweight champion facing a kick‑boxer in a sanctioned boxing match underscores how challenging it can be for elite fighters to step away from the sport permanently. History shows that many heavyweight icons, including Fury, have retired only to return to the ring multiple times.
The broader boxing calendar for 2026 is already buzzing with anticipation, as fans await a series of high‑profile match‑ups that could reshape the division. Streaming platforms such as NOW are offering contract‑free access to these events, while podcasts like Toe2Toe provide weekly analysis and insight.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports continues to deliver the latest news, videos, and expert commentary to its audience via WhatsApp and other channels. Reflecting on his own storied career, Lewis—widely regarded as one of the sport's all‑time greats—recalls the difficulty of walking away from the ring. "Many times I felt like jumping back in the ring. But focus, discipline kept me out," he admitted.
He went on to describe the internal battle that accompanied his retirement: "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 and I was trying to get away from boxing. I said I've done everything already, I don't need to prove anything anymore.
So I stayed out of boxing." Lewis's final bout remains a memorable highlight of his legacy. He faced Vitali Klitschko—a future dominant champion—in a ferocious encounter that tested both fighters to their limits. "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 served as a fitting capstone to a career defined by relentless ambition and an unyielding desire to be the best. Throughout his tenure, Lewis never lost sight of his ultimate goal: to be the greatest heavyweight of all time, a title he equated with the legendary 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 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." Usyk's ascent mirrors many of the qualities Lewis admired.
The Ukrainian's relentless work ethic, strategic acumen, and ability to overcome adversity have earned him a place among the sport's elite. His two‑fight series against Fury, in particular, showcased his adaptability and technical prowess, as he neutralized Fury's size and reach advantage with superior footwork and precision punching. Beyond the ring, Usyk's personal life reflects the stability and support system that Lewis highlighted.
He is married with children, and his family often appears in his social media posts, offering a glimpse into the man behind the gloves. This balance of professional excellence and personal fulfillment contributes to the narrative that he is not only a champion but also a role model for aspiring boxers worldwide. Looking ahead, the upcoming clash with Verhoeven could serve as a unique chapter in heavyweight history, blending the worlds of boxing and kick‑boxing.
While some purists may question the legitimacy of such a matchup, others view it as an opportunity to showcase the sport's evolving nature and the willingness of champions like Usyk to embrace new challenges. In summary, Lennox Lewis's endorsement of Oleksandr Usyk underscores a passing of the torch from one generation of heavyweight legends to the next.
Usyk's unbeaten record, his victories over multiple top‑tier opponents, and his dedication to the sport position him as a deserving heir to the heavyweight throne. As the boxing world continues to evolve, both past and present champions contribute to a rich tapestry of stories that inspire fans and athletes alike.