Former world cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew has had his say on a fantasy fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Lennox Lewis.
Lewis is often regarded as one of, if not the greatest British fighter of all time. The heavyweight legend held the undisputed heavyweight championship during the 1990s, as well as the lineal heavyweight title on two occasions.
He lost just twice during his accomplished career, but avenged both defeats which came at the hands of Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman.
After picking up a second consecutive victory over Tyson Fury in December, Usyk cemented himself as the greatest heavyweight of his generation.
He became the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the ‘four belt era’ last May, which was followed up with another points win over ‘The Gypsy King’ on December 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Lewis and Usyk are both all-time-great heavyweights in their own right, but Bellew has shared his thoughts on who would have prevailed if they had faced each other during their respective professional careers.
Speaking to Fightlens, ‘The Bomber’ gave his plaudits to the Ukrainian superstar, but claimed he would struggle to back him against ‘The Lion’.
“I’d struggle to have him ahead of Lennox Lewis. Lennox, technically, was brilliant and with the great Emanuel Steward in his corner. It’s not that he’d have figured him out, I think he’d have just been too much because Lennox was the first of the giant era, Lennox was the first big guy.”
Lewis’ 44th and final professional contest came in June 2003 when he stopped Vitali Klitschko in the sixth round of their battle. The 59-year-old’s legacy is undeniable, as he still remains one of the most respected and admired heavyweights in boxing history.
