Lennox Lewis has publicly praised Oleksandr Usyk, declaring him a fitting heir to the mantle of a "great" heavyweight world champion. Usyk, a Ukrainian fighter, etched his name in boxing history by becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lewis, clinching the title in a landmark bout against Tyson Fury in 2024. His record remains flawless, and he has firmly established himself as the preeminent heavyweight of his generation, boasting two victories over Fury, two over former champion Anthony Joshua, and two wins against rising contender Daniel Dubois. Lewis, who has observed Usyk’s training camps firsthand, described the Ukrainian as a deserving successor.
"Yes, Oleksandr Usyk is a great champion, a great person, he trains hard," Lewis told Sky Sports. The former three‑time world heavyweight champion went on to highlight Usyk’s dedication and personal qualities, adding, "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 kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven in Egypt. The prospect of a heavyweight champion stepping into a ring against a kickboxer underscores the challenges veteran fighters face when trying to stay retired. The heavyweight division, perhaps more than any other, has seen numerous champions struggle with the lure of a comeback, a pattern that has repeated itself with Tyson Fury, who has retired and unretired several times. Looking ahead, boxing fans are already mapping out the 2026 schedule, eager to see when the next marquee fights will take place.
Meanwhile, platforms like NOW are offering contract‑free streaming options, and podcasts such as Toe2Toe keep enthusiasts informed with weekly analysis. Highlights and video compilations continue to celebrate the sport’s most memorable moments, ensuring that the legacy of fighters like Lewis and Usyk remains in the public eye. Reflecting on his own illustrious career, Lewis acknowledged that he had achieved virtually everything a boxer could aspire to. Yet, even for a legend who has conquered the sport, the temptation to return to the ring was strong.
"Many times I felt like jumping back in the ring. But focus, discipline kept me out," Lewis admitted. He recounted the internal battle he faced after retirement, noting that his work as an HBO commentator kept him close to the sport he loved, making it harder to stay away.
"I said I've done everything already, I don’t need to prove anything anymore. So I stayed out of boxing," he explained. One of Lewis’s most memorable victories came against Vitali Klitschko, a bout that was both brutal and decisive. He recalled his trainer Emanuel Steward’s advice: "Listen, you can beat the present and the future with this fight," to which Lewis replied, "Well, I’ll take it." The fight was far from pretty, but it cemented Lewis’s reputation as a relentless competitor capable of overcoming any challenge.
Throughout his career, Lewis’s ambition was crystal clear: he wanted to be recognized as the greatest heavyweight of all time, mirroring the iconic status of 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, whether they were European, British, or any other title, as long as I won them all." Usyk’s rise mirrors many aspects of Lewis’s journey.
The Ukrainian’s disciplined training regimen, strong family support, and willingness to face any opponent have earned him widespread respect. His victories over Fury, Joshua, and Dubois not only demonstrate his skill but also his adaptability across different fighting styles.
As he prepares for the unconventional clash with Verhoeven, Usyk’s willingness to step outside traditional boxing boundaries reflects a modern approach to legacy building—one that embraces cross‑disciplinary challenges while still honoring the core tenets of the sweet science. The conversation between past and present champions underscores a broader theme in heavyweight boxing: the perpetual quest for greatness and the difficulty of stepping away from the sport. Lewis’s reflections reveal the emotional and psychological pull that the ring exerts on its greatest athletes, while his endorsement of Usyk highlights the continuity of excellence that defines the heavyweight division. As new talents emerge and veterans contemplate their final chapters, the sport continues to evolve, balancing reverence for its storied history with the excitement of fresh, daring match‑ups.
In summary, Lennox Lewis’s commendation of Oleksandr Usyk serves as both a tribute to a worthy successor and a reminder of the enduring challenges faced by champions at the pinnacle of boxing. Usyk’s unbeaten record, his willingness to confront formidable opponents, and his commitment to the sport echo the very qualities that made Lewis a legend.
Whether Usyk’s upcoming bout against a kickboxing icon proves successful or not, his place among the heavyweight greats appears secure, and his career will likely be remembered as a worthy continuation of the legacy that Lewis helped to define.