Lennox Lewis has publicly praised Oleksandr Usyk, calling him a fitting heir to the mantle of a "great" heavyweight champion. Usyk’s ascent to the top of the division has been nothing short of historic; he became the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lewis himself when he secured the unification bout against Tyson Fury in 2024.
The Ukrainian fighter remains unbeaten and has solidified his reputation as the pre‑eminent 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, described the Ukrainian as a "great champion and a great person" who works tirelessly in the gym. In an interview with Sky Sports, the former three‑time world heavyweight champion said, "He’s done it all. He’s sacrificed a lot, he has a wonderful family, and he truly deserves all the accolades that come his way." This endorsement from one of boxing’s most respected figures underscores Usyk’s standing in the sport.
Usyk’s career, however, is not without its upcoming challenges. He is slated to face kick‑boxing legend Rico Verhoeven in an unconventional WBC title bout set to take place in Egypt.
This fight marks a rare crossover between disciplines and will test Usyk’s adaptability in the ring. While the Ukrainian is entering the twilight of his career, the lure of high‑profile match‑ups often proves difficult for heavyweight champions to resist, especially when retirement can feel like a temporary pause rather than a permanent exit.
The heavyweight landscape continues to evolve. Tyson Fury, for instance, has retired and un‑retired multiple times, illustrating how fluid the status of champions can be.
Fans and analysts alike are already speculating about the 2026 boxing calendar, eager to see when the next marquee fights will be scheduled. Meanwhile, platforms like NOW are offering contract‑free streaming options for boxing enthusiasts, and podcasts such as Toe2Toe keep the conversation alive with weekly discussions. Lewis himself is a living legend, having accomplished virtually everything a boxer could aspire to.
Yet, even he admits that the temptation to step back into the ring has been a recurring thought. "Many times I felt like jumping back in the ring," he confessed, "but focus and discipline kept me out." He elaborated on the internal struggle, noting that after retiring he took a commentator role with HBO, which kept him close to the sport he loved. "I said I’d done everything, I didn’t need to prove anything more, so I stayed out of the ring," Lewis explained.
Reflecting on his own career, Lewis recalls his final bout against Vitali Klitschko, a fight that was as brutal as it was memorable. "My trainer Emanuel Steward told me, ‘You can beat the present and the future with this fight,’ and I said, ‘I’ll take it.’ It wasn’t a pretty fight, but I emerged victorious," Lewis recounted.
That victory, against a future dominant champion, served as a fitting capstone to his storied tenure. Lewis’s ambition was always clear: to be recognized as the greatest heavyweight of his era, mirroring the legacy of Muhammad Ali.
"From the moment I started boxing, I said I wanted to be the greatest heavyweight," he said. "I wanted to collect every accolade—whether it was European, British, or any other title—so long as I won them all." His words reflect a relentless drive that has inspired a new generation of fighters, including Usyk. Usyk’s journey mirrors many of the qualities Lewis admired: relentless work ethic, strategic intelligence, and an unwavering commitment to family and personal values.
As Usyk prepares for his upcoming clash with Verhoeven, the boxing world watches with anticipation, aware that this match could further cement his status as a historic figure in the heavyweight division. Whether he emerges victorious or not, his legacy, bolstered by Lewis’s endorsement, will endure as a benchmark for future champions. In summary, Lennox Lewis’s endorsement of Oleksandr Usyk highlights a passing of the torch from one heavyweight great to another. Usyk’s unbeaten record, his victories over the sport’s biggest names, and his willingness to take on unconventional challenges position him as a worthy successor to the legacy that Lewis helped build.
As the sport continues to evolve, fans can look forward to more thrilling encounters, deeper narratives, and the continued celebration of heavyweight excellence.