Lennox Lewis Urges Usyk to Retire on Top — But the Champion Isn’t Done Yet

Boxing legend Lennox Lewis believes Oleksandr Usyk has already achieved greatness. After conquering every major opponent and unifying titles across divisions, Lewis urged the Ukrainian southpaw to “retire on top,” preserving a spotless legacy. Yet at the same time, he praised Usyk’s remarkable influence on the sport and his unwavering support for young boxers worldwide — a reminder that true champions give back even after the gloves come off.

Former cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson echoed Lewis’s admiration, recognizing Usyk’s extraordinary talent and unmatched discipline. But at 38, questions inevitably arise: How much longer can he remain at the top?

Despite such doubts, Usyk continues to defy time and expectation. Still an elite southpaw heavyweight, he dismantles every opponent with cerebral precision — outthinking, outmoving, and outboxing fighters years younger. Critics who call for his retirement find themselves silenced by each dominant performance.

Some, like British heavyweight Dave Allen, believe the story has already reached its perfect ending. “He’s done everything — beaten everyone,” Allen argued. “If he walks away now, undefeated, his legacy is sealed forever.”

But veteran promoter Frank Warren sees it differently. For him, Usyk is not driven by fear of decline but by an unrelenting pursuit of perfection. “He’s still evolving,” Warren said. “He’s not finished — he’s refining his craft.”

Indeed, Usyk’s journey has gone beyond belts and politics. He’s transcended the chaos of the boxing business to focus on legacy, mastery, and evolution. Every performance — every feint, pivot, and counter — is a lesson in control.

Usyk relies on intelligence, timing, and adaptability rather than raw youth. His recent fights have shown a man who defies age through mastery, dictating tempo and rhythm with almost mathematical precision. Behind his calm demeanor lies a story of sacrifice: months of isolation, relentless training, and total dedication to a craft he has turned into art.

Now, at this stage of his career, Usyk is in full control of his destiny. He fights only on his own terms — not out of desperation, but design. He has become what few athletes ever achieve: the architect of his own legacy.

Many in the sport — including Lennox Lewis — call him a “once-in-a-generation” fighter. His technical brilliance and quiet humility have redefined what greatness looks like in modern boxing. Having defeated the likes of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, Usyk has not only dominated but inspired a new era of strategic boxing defined by precision over power.

Comparisons to Muhammad Ali are no longer hyperbole. Usyk combines skill, intelligence, and charisma with unmatched adaptability and ring IQ — a balance of mental sharpness and spiritual calm that makes him the most complete heavyweight of his era.

And yet, the great question remains: should he step away now, undefeated, or continue?

Despite the chorus of voices urging retirement, Usyk’s hunger is far from fading. His confidence, composure, and quiet fire suggest that his journey isn’t over. Whether he fights once more or many times again, one truth remains undeniable — Oleksandr Usyk has already secured his place among the immortals of boxing.