By Boxing legend Lennox Lewis, regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight champions in history, recently shared his insights on how he would approach a fight against the reigning pound-for-pound king, Oleksandr Usyk.
Known for his tactical brilliance and devastating power, Lewis outlined a strategy that combines technical precision with psychological mastery.
During an interview, Lewis was asked how he would handle a bout against Usyk, a fighter celebrated for his agility, ring IQ, and resilience. Without hesitation, the former undisputed heavyweight champion pinpointed Usyk’s potential vulnerability to uppercuts.
“Oh well, if you fought Usyk, Usyk, what would you do? I would say, well, you know I would throw a good uppercut because he’s susceptible to uppercuts, and I throw a mean uppercut,” Lewis explained confidently. “And that’s how I would definitely fight the fight.”
Also read: Worthy Contenders for Oleksandr Usyk: Who Can Dethrone the Heavyweight Maestro?
The veteran boxer, whose career was defined by his ability to adapt and dominate opponents with his strategic approach, suggested that exploiting Usyk’s defensive tendencies could be the key to victory. The uppercut, a weapon that earned Lewis countless victories, would be central to his game plan.
The Body as a Battlefield
The interviewer then probed further, asking whether Usyk might be vulnerable to body shots—a tactic some fighters have speculated could disrupt the Ukrainian southpaw’s rhythm. Lewis responded with a layered perspective, highlighting not just physical but psychological warfare in the ring.
“Well, anybody that’s vulnerable to the body, and everybody’s saying it, usually goes back and works on the body and says, like, I make them think I’m vulnerable to the body—that’s what I want them to think,” he stated with a knowing smile. “Now my body’s tough, and if they go to the body, I’m going to hit them at the same time.”
This response underscores Lewis’s mastery of mental tactics, a hallmark of his career. By playing on opponents’ expectations, he often turned perceived weaknesses into strengths, a skill that set him apart in a division filled with power punchers and towering giants.
Lewis was there to witness the sheer power of Oleksandr Usyk when he fought Tyson Fury for the first time and even shared his reaction.
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How Lewis’s Strategy Stacks Against Usyk
Usyk’s rise through the heavyweight division has been marked by his ability to neutralize bigger, stronger fighters with movement, precision, and relentless pressure. His back-to-back wins against Anthony Joshua, and Tyson Fury showcased his capacity to outthink and outmaneuver opponents over twelve rounds. However, Lewis’s analysis reveals an intriguing counter-strategy: target Usyk’s perceived vulnerabilities while staying ready to exploit his reactions.
Lewis’s uppercut focus and his emphasis on punishing opponents who attack the body could pose significant challenges for Usyk, who relies heavily on his footwork and head movement to evade punches. Additionally, Lewis’s psychological edge—his ability to outthink adversaries—might tip the scales in a hypothetical matchup.
A Fight for the Ages
Though the dream matchup between Lewis and Usyk remains a fan’s fantasy, the heavyweight legend’s comments offer a glimpse into the mindset of a fighter who dominated his era with a rare blend of intelligence and power.
While Usyk continues to carve his legacy in modern boxing, Lewis’s breakdown of the fight adds another layer of appreciation for the strategic complexity that defines the sweet science.
With both men hailed as technical masterminds in their respective times, one can only imagine the fireworks a showdown between Lennox Lewis and Oleksandr Usyk would deliver—a clash of eras, styles, and genius.
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