Heavyweight legend says he would have knocked out Usyk: “He can’t take my uppercut”

Boxing fans often debate how Oleksandr Usyk may have fared in different eras from the past.

Usyk is the current king of the heavyweights, reigning as undisputed on two separate occasions after victories over the likes of Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.

The Ukrainian began his professional career at cruiserweight, becoming undisputed at 200lbs before moving up and repeating that achievement in the banner division, something that only he and Evander Holyfield have ever done.

Holyfield was part of a tremendous era in the 1990s which also included fellow legends Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis, and it is Lewis who has spoken out on how a potential bout with Usyk may have gone.

Speaking to Boxing News, Lewis praised the Ukrainian, but explained why he thinks he would knocked out his rival.

“I would have to compare Usyk to Evander Holyfield and I think he would have done very well. I don’t think he would have lasted against me because I throw a mean uppercut in there and I noticed he gets caught with uppercuts, so he wouldn’t have been able to stand up to my uppercuts.”

Lewis was the last man to be undisputed heavyweight champion before Usyk, earning wins over fighters such as Holyfield, Tyson and Vitali Klitschko during his own glittering career.

He is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time, with Usyk hoping he will leave the same legacy behind when he eventually hangs up his gloves in the near future.