Lennox Lewis believes there is one heavyweight with the required attributes to become the first man to beat Oleksandr Usyk.
Since turning over after becoming an Olympic Gold Medalist in 2012, the Ukrainian has cleaned out the cruiserweight division and become undisputed champion, then moved up to heavyweight and done the same. Along the way, he beat Derek Chisora, Anthony Joshua in back-to-back fights over 12 rounds, and also twice bested Tyson Fury over 24 rounds in 2024.
Usyk has had 23 fights in the professional ranks and has not yet been beaten. He has only ever been down on the canvas once in that time, and that was from a body shot that was ruled low by the referee in his fight with Daniel Dubois back in August 2023.
He is now looking to become the first man to ever be a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion when he takes on Dubois again on July 19 at Wembley Stadium and Lewis, the last undisputed star of the banner division, told Queensberry that ‘DDD’ now has what it takes to be the man to finally end Usyk’s reign.
“I’m thinking he’s ready. He’s been through the trials and tribulations. He’s the king slayer. He’s got the power. He’s been there before. He was just there, he knocked [Usyk] down, so he knows what he needs to do. It would be great for him to do it, another man from Great Britain.
“It’s not an easy task, but he’s definitely the man that can go through with it. He’s done the work. He’s gone through the pedigree. He’s a certified world champion and I think he has big hopes on doing it. He’s going to do it.”
