Two-time heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman has predicted the outcome of a fantasy clash between former rival Lennox Lewis and Oleksandr Usyk.
Rahman pulled off one of the biggest upsets in boxing history when he stopped Lewis in the fifth round of their clash in South Africa back in 2000, capturing the unified WBC and IBF world heavyweight titles in the process.
Lewis did go on to get his revenge over Rahman in their rematch just seven months later however, stopping his fellow countryman in the eighth round of their second encounter in Las Vegas to regain his heavyweight titles.
In more recent years, Ukrainian icon Usyk has proved himself to be arguably the greatest heavyweight of his entire generation, reigning as the undisputed champion on two separate occasions within the last 18 months.
The 38-year-old made his most recent ring appearance back in July when he stopped Britain’s Daniel Dubois in the fifth round of their historic rematch at Wembley Stadium in London, England.
Speaking to Boxing King Media, Rahman was asked if he believes his former rival would have beaten Usyk, had the pair crossed paths with each other in what would have been an intriguing heavyweight match-up.
“Yes. I just think Lennox got good distance, I’m talking about Lennox with Manny Steward, he was the ultimate chess player, he knew how to control the distance and his power was unbelievable.
“I’m saying the way that he controlled his ring IQ, the way he controlled the ring, his power and his height, his distance, he knew how to control a fight.”
Lewis is still considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time by fans and analysts around the world. He reigned as the world heavyweight champion on three occasions, as well as capturing the undisputed heavyweight championship which he held back in 1999.
