Lennox Lewis has publicly affirmed Oleksandr Usyk’s status as a great champion, citing his unification of all heavyweight belts as a mirror of Lewis’s own achievement from 25 years prior.
The former undisputed world champion told Sky Sports that Usyk’s dedication, sacrifice, and relentless training made him worthy of praise, adding that the Ukrainian had given everything to reach his goals and possessed a strong family foundation.
Lewis similarly weighed in on the rising British contender Moses Itauma, stating that while the 21-year-old left-hander is a talented puncher with character, the timing for a step up to face Usik is not yet right.
According to Lewis, Itauma should wait until Usyk retires before pursuing a world title shot, emphasizing that the young fighter has plenty of time and should not rush into a dangerous matchup.
Itauma, who debuted professionally in 2023, remains undefeated with 14 wins, 12 by knockout, and holds top rankings in both the WBA and WBO heavyweight divisions.
His next fight is scheduled for July 25 in London, though the opponent has not been named, following the cancellation of a previously planned bout in Paris after Itauma failed a doping test.
The WBO title will be contested on May 9 between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois, with the winner expected to face Itauma later in the year for a potential world title opportunity.
Meanwhile, Usyk is set to return to the ring on May 23 in Giza, Egypt, for a crossover bout against Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, a fight that has drawn criticism from fellow heavyweights including Igor Shevadzutsky, Dmitry Bivol, and Murat Gassiev.
Usyk and Verhoeven reportedly engaged in a stare-down ahead of the event, underscoring the unusual nature of a world-class boxer facing a pure kickboxer in a boxing ring.
After vacating the WBO title, Usyk is no longer recognized as the undisputed champion, a fact confirmed by the World Boxing Organization following his formal request to relinquish the belt.
Why did Lennox Lewis advise Moses Itauma to wait before fighting Oleksandr Usyk?
Lewis believes Itauma, despite his talent and power, needs more time to develop and should not rush into a fight with Usyk, suggesting the young Brit wait until Usyk retires from the sport.
What is the significance of Usyk’s upcoming fight against Rico Verhoeven?
The May 23 bout in Egypt marks Usyk’s return after vacating the WBO title and represents a rare crossover fight between a reigning elite boxer and a top-tier kickboxer, drawing both interest and skepticism from the boxing community.