Former world champion Lennox Lewis has publicly praised Oleksandr Usyk, describing him as a fitting successor to the legacy of a "great" heavyweight champion. In Lewis’s view, Usyk embodies the qualities that define a top‑tier heavyweight, both inside the ring and beyond it. Usyk’s ascent to the pinnacle of the sport reached a historic milestone when he secured the undisputed heavyweight title in 2024 after defeating Tyson Fury.
That victory marked the first time since Lewis himself that a fighter held all four major belts simultaneously, cementing Usyk’s place in boxing history. The Ukrainian fighter remains unbeaten, and his résumé now includes two victories over Fury, two over former champion Anthony Joshua, and two wins against the formidable Daniel Dubois.
Each of those triumphs has reinforced his claim as the pre‑eminent heavyweight of his generation. Lewis, who has spent time observing Usyk’s training camp, lauds the Ukrainian’s dedication and character.
"Oleksandr Usyk is a great champion, a great person, he trains hard," Lewis told Sky Sports, adding that the fighter "has done it all, he’s sacrificed, he’s got a great family and he deserves his flowers." The former champion’s endorsement carries weight, given his own storied career that culminated in becoming one of the sport’s most celebrated figures. Usyk is now approaching the latter stages of his career, with an upcoming bout against kick‑boxing legend Rico Verhoeven in an unusual WBC title contest scheduled to take place in Egypt.
The fight is notable not only for the cross‑disciplinary matchup but also because it underscores the difficulty heavyweight champions face when contemplating retirement. The heavyweight division has a long tradition of champions who struggle to stay away from the ring, and Usyk’s willingness to test himself against a different combat sport highlights his relentless competitive spirit. The landscape of heavyweight boxing remains fluid. Tyson Fury, for instance, has retired and un‑retired multiple times, illustrating how the allure of the sport can pull even the most seasoned athletes back into competition.
Looking ahead, fans are already speculating about the 2026 boxing calendar, eager to see which marquee match‑ups will define the next era. Lewis himself reflects on his own retirement journey.
After a career that saw him defeat legends such as Vitali Klitschko—a bout he described as a "violent battle"—Lewis found it challenging to stay away from the sport he loved. He admitted, "Many times I felt like jumping back in the ring.
But focus, discipline kept me out." The former champion also discussed his transition to broadcasting, noting that HBO gave him a commentator role that kept him close to the action while he tried to distance himself from the physical demands of fighting. He recalled a pivotal moment early in his career when his trainer, Emanuel Steward, encouraged him to take on a fight that would test his mettle against both present and future opponents. "My trainer Emanuel 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 recounted, emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities that shape a champion’s legacy.
For Lewis, achieving the status of the greatest heavyweight of his era was always the ultimate goal. "From when I started boxing I said I wanted to be the greatest heavyweight," he explained. "I wanted to be just like Muhammad Ali and win all the accolades, whether they were European, British, or any other titles, as long as I won them all." This ambition drove him to pursue every possible accolade, and his success set a benchmark for future generations. Usyk’s trajectory mirrors many aspects of Lewis’s own journey: relentless work ethic, a supportive family, and a willingness to confront the toughest opponents.
By securing the undisputed championship and maintaining an unbeaten record, Usyk has not only validated Lewis’s praise but also positioned himself as a benchmark for upcoming heavyweights. His upcoming challenge against Verhoeven will add another layer to his legacy, testing his adaptability and reinforcing the notion that true champions are defined by how they evolve over time. In summary, Lennox Lewis’s endorsement of Oleksandr Usyk underscores a passing of the torch within heavyweight boxing. Usyk’s accomplishments—undisputed champion status, multiple victories over top‑ranked foes, and an unblemished record—align with the standards set by legends like Lewis and Ali.
As the sport looks toward future match‑ups and the inevitable retirements of its current stars, Usyk stands poised to carry forward the mantle of heavyweight greatness, embodying the dedication, sacrifice, and family support that Lewis highlighted as essential to a champion’s enduring legacy.