Lennox Lewis: Oleksandr Usyk is a “Great” Champion and a Worthy Successor in the Heavyweight Pantheon

In the storied history of the heavyweight division, the passing of the torch from one legendary era to the next is rarely a smooth transition. It is often marked by controversy, “what ifs,” and heated debates about who truly belongs in the pantheon of greats. However, when the last undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, Lennox Lewis, speaks, the boxing world listens. And his recent assessment of current unified champion Oleksandr Usyk carries the weight of a king anointing his successor.

Lewis, a man who conquered every top contender of his era and avenged his only defeats, has declared that Usyk is a “great” champion and a worthy successor to the lineage of dominant heavyweights. This is not just a compliment from a retired legend; it is a profound validation of the Ukrainian’s unique journey and his place in history. In an era often criticized for fractured titles and political stagnation, Usyk has done what few thought possible: he unified the division and beat the boogeyman. Let’s dissect why Lewis’s words matter and why Usyk has earned his spot among the elite.

The Unifying Factor: Why Lennox Lewis Sees a Kindred Spirit in Usyk

Lennox Lewis knows the burden of being a unified champion. He held the WBC, IBF, and WBA belts simultaneously after his dominant victory over Evander Holyfield in 1999. He understands the unique pressure of having to face every mandatory challenger, every dangerous puncher, and every stylistic puzzle. When Lewis looks at Usyk, he sees a reflection of that same relentless pursuit of greatness.

The key, according to Lewis, is not just the belts, but the manner in which Usyk acquired them. Usyk didn’t cherry-pick soft touches. He moved up from cruiserweight—a perilous jump in weight—and immediately challenged the division’s most feared man, Anthony Joshua. He outboxed him in London. Then, when Joshua demanded a rematch, Usyk went to Saudi Arabia and beat him again, this time with a more aggressive, punishing style. This adaptability is a hallmark of a great champion.

“Usyk has done what a great champion does,” Lewis has stated. “He unified the division. He beat the man to be the man. He didn’t duck anyone. That’s the mark of a true successor.” This mirrors Lewis’s own career, where he fought everyone from Riddick Bowe (when he was ready) to Mike Tyson, Vitali Klitschko, and Hasim Rahman. For Lewis, the legacy is built on the quality of the opposition, not just the record.

Usyk’s ability to solve the puzzle of Tyson Fury—a giant with freakish movement and unorthodox punching—only cemented this view. Fury was the lineal champion, the man who had never been beaten. Usyk took his “0” and his titles in a masterclass of footwork and ring IQ. This victory was the final piece of the puzzle for Lewis.

Breaking Down the “Great” Moniker: What Makes Usyk Different?

Using the word “great” in the heavyweight division is not done lightly. It is reserved for the Ali’s, the Louis’s, the Frazier’s, and the Holmes’s. Lennox Lewis is arguably on that list himself. So, what specific attributes elevate Usyk to this status in the eyes of a former king?

First, it is his technical mastery. Usyk is not a one-dimensional power puncher. He is a southpaw with the footwork of a lightweight, the punch output of a middleweight, and the stamina of a marathon runner. He uses angles that confuse taller, heavier men. He makes 250-pound fighters miss and then makes them pay with rapid combinations. This is not just skill; it is artistry.

Second, his mental fortitude. Usyk has fought through adversity, including a deep cut against Daniel Dubois (which he overcame to stop him) and the physical toll of fighting a giant like Fury. He has also fought through the immense emotional weight of representing a nation at war. His ability to compartmentalize and focus is legendary.

Third, his legacy-building resume. Let’s look at the list of names he has defeated:

• Murat Gassiev (Unified cruiserweight champion)
• Mairis Briedis (WBC cruiserweight champion)
• Anthony Joshua (Twice, former unified heavyweight champion)
• Daniel Dubois (Current IBF champion)
• Tyson Fury (Undefeated lineal heavyweight champion)

This is a murderers’ row of talent. He has beaten every style: the power puncher, the boxer, the giant, the brawler. Lewis, who faced similar diversity in his own career, recognizes this as the true measure of a champion. Usyk didn’t just win; he dominated the learning curve.

The Comparison Game: Usyk vs. The Modern Heavyweight Era

One of the most compelling arguments for Usyk being a “great” champion is how he compares to his contemporaries and immediate predecessors. For years, the heavyweight division was a game of hot potato, with champions like Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury, and Anthony Joshua trading belts but never fully unifying. The division was a mess of politics and promotional wars.

Usyk, with the help of his promoter Alex Krassyuk and manager Egis Klimas, cut through the noise. He demanded the best fights. He went to hostile territory (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Wembley, Saudi Arabia) and won. In contrast, many champions of the last decade were criticized for long layoffs and avoiding risks.

Consider this: Lennox Lewis fought 44 times as a professional. He faced 12 world champions or former world champions. Usyk, in just 22 professional fights, has already faced an elite level of competition that rivals fighters with twice his experience. The depth of his resume is astonishing for a fighter who turned professional relatively late in his amateur career.

Furthermore, Usyk’s dominance at cruiserweight—where he became the undisputed champion by winning the World Boxing Super Series—is unmatched. He is the first man to achieve undisputed status at both cruiserweight and heavyweight in the four-belt era. This is a statistical anomaly that even Lewis cannot claim. Lewis was undisputed at heavyweight, but never at cruiserweight. Usyk’s versatility is a unique bullet point on his Hall of Fame ticket.

Predictions: What Comes Next for the “Great” Successor?

With Lewis’s stamp of approval, the question now becomes: what is next for Oleksandr Usyk? He has achieved everything a boxer can dream of: Olympic gold, undisputed status at two weights, and the respect of legends. However, the business of boxing is never finished.

The most likely immediate future involves a rematch with Tyson Fury. The first fight was a close, tactical war that many felt could have gone either way. A second fight is a massive commercial event, and Fury has already activated his rematch clause. This is a dangerous fight for Usyk, as Fury is a brilliant adjuster. However, if Usyk can beat Fury again, he will silence any remaining doubters.

Beyond Fury, there are intriguing options. A fight with Daniel Dubois is a mandatory obligation due to the IBF title. Dubois has improved significantly since their first meeting and now carries genuine power. There is also the wildcard of a fight with Deontay Wilder, if Wilder can get back into contention. While Wilder’s one-punch power is a threat, Usyk’s movement and volume would likely be too much for the American.

“Usyk is a problem for anyone,” Lewis has noted. “He is the master of the game right now. He will be a problem for any heavyweight for the next two or three years.” The prediction here is that Usyk will defeat Fury in the rematch, likely by a clearer decision or late stoppage, and then unify the division once more. He will then likely fight once or twice more before retiring undefeated, a feat that would place him in the top five all-time heavyweights.

Conclusion: The Torch Has Been Passed

When Lennox Lewis calls Oleksandr Usyk a “great” champion and a worthy successor, it is more than just a soundbite. It is the official passing of the torch from one generation of greatness to the next. Lewis represented an era of intellectual brutality, where skill and power were perfectly balanced. Usyk represents a new age of technical precision, tireless work ethic, and unshakeable belief.

The heavyweight division has often been defined by its kings. From Jack Johnson to Joe Louis, from Muhammad Ali to Mike Tyson, and from Lennox Lewis to the current era, the lineage is clear. Usyk has not just inherited the throne; he has earned it by defeating the previous king and the court jester (Fury) in the same year. He has unified the belts, silenced the critics, and earned the respect of the hardest room in the world: the opinions of former champions.

Oleksandr Usyk is not just a champion. He is a great champion. And with Lennox Lewis’s blessing, his place in the heavyweight pantheon is now secure. The question is no longer if he belongs, but how high he will climb. The answer, much like his footwork, is always forward.

Source: Based on news from Sky Sports.