Lennox Lewis has publicly praised Oleksandr Usyk, describing him as a fitting heir to the mantle of a "great" heavyweight champion. Usyk’s rise to prominence culminated in 2024 when he secured the undisputed heavyweight title by defeating Tyson Fury, marking the first time since Lewis that a fighter held every major belt simultaneously. The Ukrainian boxer remains unbeaten and has built a résumé that positions him as the preeminent heavyweight of his generation, boasting two victories over Fury, two over former champion Anthony Joshua, and two wins against the formidable Daniel Dubois. Lewis, who has observed Usyk’s training camps up close, affirmed his belief that the Ukrainian is not only a superb athlete but also a person of strong character.
"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 entering the twilight of his career, with an upcoming, unconventional WBC title bout in Egypt against kick‑boxing legend Rico Verhoeven. The prospect of a heavyweight champion stepping into a ring with a kick‑boxer is unusual, yet it underscores the challenges that even the most dominant fighters face when contemplating retirement. Heavyweight champions, perhaps more than any other division, find it difficult to walk away from the sport permanently.
Tyson Fury, for instance, has retired and un‑retired multiple times, illustrating the pull that the sport exerts on its biggest stars. Looking ahead, boxing fans are already speculating about the 2026 fight calendar and the marquee matchups that could define the next era. Platforms such as NOW offer contract‑free streaming options, while podcasts like Toe2Toe provide weekly analysis for enthusiasts eager to stay informed.
Highlight reels continue to circulate, celebrating the sport’s most memorable moments. Reflecting on his own storied career, Lewis acknowledges that he achieved virtually everything a boxer could aspire to.
He once contemplated a return to the ring, but discipline and focus kept him retired. "Many times I felt like jumping back in the ring.
But focus, discipline kept me out," Lewis explained. He added that after transitioning to a commentary role with HBO, he found himself constantly surrounded by boxing, making the decision to stay away even more challenging. "I said I've done everything already, I don’t need to prove anything anymore.
So I stayed out of boxing," he said. One of Lewis’s most iconic victories came against a young Vitali Klitschko, who would later become a dominant heavyweight champion in his own right. Recalling the bout, Lewis said, "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." For Lewis, the ultimate goal was always to be recognized as the greatest heavyweight of his era, a dream he equated with the legendary status of Muhammad Ali.
"From when I started boxing I said I wanted to be the greatest heavyweight," he remarked. "I wanted to be just like Muhammad Ali and win all the accolades, whether they were European, British, or any other, as long as I won them all." Usyk’s achievements echo many of these aspirations. By unifying the heavyweight titles, he has placed himself in a rarefied group of boxers who have held every major belt simultaneously—a feat accomplished by only a handful of legends.
His disciplined training regimen, strategic acumen, and ability to adapt to different opponents have drawn comparisons to the greats of the past, reinforcing Lewis’s view of him as a worthy successor. Beyond the statistics, Usyk’s character off the canvas contributes to his legacy. He is known for his humility, dedication to family, and commitment to charitable causes in his native Ukraine. These qualities resonate with Lewis, who has often spoken about the importance of personal integrity alongside athletic prowess.
As Usyk prepares for the unconventional showdown with Verhoeven, the boxing world watches with anticipation. The match will test not only his boxing skills but also his adaptability to a hybrid combat scenario.
Regardless of the outcome, the fight will add another chapter to Usyk’s evolving narrative and further cement his place in heavyweight history. In the broader context, the transition from one great champion to another is a recurring theme in boxing. Legends like Lewis, who have set high standards, often look for successors who embody similar values of hard work, resilience, and sportsmanship.
Usyk appears to fit this mold, offering a blend of technical mastery and personal virtue that aligns with the legacy Lewis cherishes. Ultimately, Lewis’s endorsement serves as a powerful testament to Usyk’s standing in the sport. It signals to fans, promoters, and fellow fighters that the torch has been passed to a boxer who not only matches the physical demands of the heavyweight division but also upholds the spirit of the game. As the heavyweight landscape continues to evolve, the narrative of a great champion being succeeded by another great champion adds depth and continuity to boxing’s rich tapestry.