Former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has publicly praised Oleksandr Usyk, calling him a "great" champion and a fitting heir to the mantle of heavyweight greatness. Lewis, who once dominated the division and achieved virtually every accolade available to a boxer, sees in Usyk the qualities that defined his own reign—discipline, hard work, and an unrelenting desire to be the best. Usyk’s rise to the top of the heavyweight ranks has been nothing short of historic. In 2024 he captured the undisputed heavyweight crown by defeating Tyson Fury, a victory that made him the first fighter since Lewis to hold every major belt simultaneously.
The Ukrainian’s record remains unblemished, and his résumé now includes two victories over Fury, two wins against former champion Anthony Joshua, and two triumphs over the powerful Daniel Dubois. These wins have cemented his status as the preeminent heavyweight of his generation. Lewis, who has observed Usyk’s training camps firsthand, said to Sky Sports, "Yes. Oleksandr Usyk is a great champion, a great person, he trains hard.
He's done it all. He's sacrificed. He's got a great family and he deserves his flowers." The former three‑time world champion emphasized that Usyk’s achievements are the result of relentless effort and personal sacrifice, qualities that echo Lewis’s own philosophy throughout his career.
Usyk is now approaching the twilight of his career, with his next challenge set to be a highly unusual bout against kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven for a WBC title in Egypt. The matchup, which blends boxing and kickboxing styles, underscores the evolving landscape of combat sports and the willingness of heavyweight champions to test themselves in novel ways. Yet, as with many great heavyweights, staying retired can be a daunting prospect.
Fighters such as Fury have repeatedly retired and unretired, illustrating the magnetic pull of the ring. Lewis reflected on his own retirement journey, noting how difficult it was to stay away from the sport he loved.
He recalled moments when he felt the urge to step back into the ring, but disciplined himself to remain retired. "Many times I felt like jumping back in the ring. But focus, discipline kept me out," Lewis said.
He added that his work as a commentator for HBO kept him close to boxing, 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 explained.
Looking back, Lewis highlighted his final fight against Vitali Klitschko as a fitting climax to his career. The bout was a brutal, hard‑fought encounter that saw Lewis emerge victorious against a future heavyweight legend.
"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, emphasizing the significance of that win in cementing his legacy. For Lewis, the ultimate goal was always to be recognized as the greatest heavyweight of his era, a dream inspired by the iconic 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." In praising Usyk, Lewis draws a direct line from his own achievements to the present day, suggesting that the torch of heavyweight excellence has been passed to a fighter who embodies the same relentless pursuit of perfection.
Usyk’s unbeaten record, his ability to defeat the sport’s biggest names, and his willingness to take on unconventional challenges all point to a champion who not only respects the traditions of boxing but also pushes its boundaries. The conversation about succession in heavyweight boxing is more than just a passing comment; it reflects the sport’s deep respect for lineage and the desire to see great champions honor those who came before them.
As Usyk prepares for his upcoming clash with Verhoeven, the eyes of the boxing world will be on him, watching to see whether he can continue the legacy that Lewis and other legends have built. While the future remains uncertain, one thing is clear: the heavyweight division continues to produce fighters of extraordinary talent and character. Whether through classic bouts, cross‑disciplinary matches, or the mentorship of former greats like Lennox Lewis, the sport evolves while staying rooted in its storied past.
Usyk’s journey, endorsed by a legend, illustrates that the spirit of greatness endures, and that the mantle of heavyweight champion will always be passed to those who earn it through hard work, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to be the best.