Imagine a boxing legend looking at today's heavyweight scene and saying, 'I could have beaten him!' That's exactly what Lennox Lewis, a true titan of the sport, has suggested about the current undisputed king, Oleksandr Usyk. While Usyk has undeniably cemented his place as the dominant force of this generation, Lewis, a former three-time heavyweight champion himself, feels he possesses the key to unlocking the Ukrainian's formidable puzzle.
Usyk's reign has been nothing short of historic. He's achieved the incredible feat of becoming an undisputed champion in two weight classes – first at cruiserweight and now at heavyweight. This remarkable accomplishment places him in an incredibly exclusive club, alongside the legendary Evander Holyfield. His recent victory over Tyson Fury in May 2024 was a landmark event, handing 'The Gypsy King' his very first professional defeat. Following that, Usyk further solidified his dominance with another win against Fury and a decisive victory over Daniel Dubois, making him a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion. He's even indicated a desire to continue fighting for another couple of years, much to the excitement of boxing fans.
However, even amidst the widespread admiration for Usyk's skills, Lennox Lewis has voiced a bold assertion. Speaking to iFL TV, Lewis expressed a wish that he could have competed in the current era, specifically to face Usyk. He stated, “I wish that I was in this era to box, because I would have loved to box him. I can’t see why nobody can’t figure him out, I would have been able to figure him out.” Lewis acknowledges Usyk's prowess, describing him as “the best of this era” who “does the right things,” moves well, avoids getting hit, and is generally elusive and difficult to defeat.
But here's where it gets interesting... Lennox Lewis is no stranger to overcoming adversity. His career is a testament to resilience, having avenged his only two professional losses against Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman. This ability to bounce back and adapt is what made him boxing's second three-time heavyweight champion, a distinction he shares with Muhammad Ali, and has since been matched by Vitali Klitschko and Evander Holyfield.
Now, here's the part that might spark some debate: Lewis's confidence in 'figuring out' Usyk, despite Usyk's current undisputed status and impressive track record, raises a fascinating question. Is it the confidence of a legend who believes his own era's boxing acumen was superior, or does he genuinely see a tactical flaw in Usyk's style that others have missed? What do you think? Could a fighter of Lennox Lewis's caliber, from his dominant era, have truly outsmarted Oleksandr Usyk? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
