Anthony Joshua knows all too well what it’s like to face Oleksandr Usyk.
Former two-time world champion Joshua has fought the unbeaten former Olympic gold medalist, former undisputed cruiserweight champion and former undisputed heavyweight champion twice over 12 rounds.
The first time was in London in 2021 when he lost a wide decision to lose his three world titles, and the rematch came a year later in Saudi Arabia when he put up a better showing but again lost on points and failed to regain his belts.
Since then, Usyk has beaten the current IBF world champion Daniel Dubois by knockout, and also outpointed Tyson Fury over 12 rounds back in May, and is now in camp ahead of the rematch in December.
Speaking to the MailSportBoxing, Joshua was asked to pick a winner between Usyk and a prime Lennox Lewis, the last man to be undisputed before the Ukrainian, and at first refused.
“50-50.”
When forced to pick a winner, he went with his old foe.
“Usyk.”
Lewis had a sensational career that saw him beat every man he faced, although he did have two upset losses to underdogs Oliver McCall and Hasim Raham which he later avenged with stoppages of his own. He also beat the likes of Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield and retired after an epic battle with Vitali Klitschko in 2005.
Should Usyk manage to beat Fury for a second time later this year, he will sit right up there with the greats of the sport alongside legends like Lewis.
