Lennox Lewis has offered sage advice to his successor, Oleksandr Usyk, urging him to "retire on top," mirroring Lewis’s own legendary exit from the heavyweight boxing world. Usyk’s recent achievement – becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lewis’s 1999 victory – solidified his place as a dominant force. Notably, Usyk, like Lewis, is an Olympic gold medalist, further emphasizing his exceptional sporting pedigree. The conversation centers around Usyk’s strategic decision regarding his future, with the Ukrainian suggesting a single final fight before stepping away from the sport. Lewis, who famously concluded his career by defeating Vitali Klitschko, a champion in his own right, believes the timing of Usyk’s retirement is entirely his own prerogative. "When a guy retires, it’s really down to him," Lewis stated during an interview with Sky Sports. "He’s got to feel that push that he wants to retire, but he can teach a lot of young boxers a lot of different things: dedication, hard work, sacrifice, because he’s been through that." Lewis’s perspective highlights the immense pressure associated with maintaining dominance in a fiercely competitive field. The pursuit of becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion, holding all the belts simultaneously, is considered one of the most challenging accomplishments in boxing. This ambition invariably attracts rivals determined to dethrone the champion, creating a constant struggle for supremacy. Lewis’s advice emphasizes the importance of achieving a successful retirement, marking the pinnacle of a career defined by relentless effort and unwavering determination.

The conversation highlights the critical need for a champion to recognize the appropriate time to step away, ensuring a dignified and triumphant conclusion to a legendary career. Usyk’s journey, marked by strategic brilliance and unwavering resolve, serves as an inspiring example for aspiring boxers worldwide, demonstrating the transformative power of dedication and the pursuit of greatness within the sport. Usyk’s journey itself is remarkable, having transitioned from the cruiserweight division to conquer the heavyweight landscape. He’s achieved this through decisive victories over formidable opponents, including Tyson Fury twice and Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, showcasing his adaptability and skill. Furthermore, Lewis posits that Usyk would have been a significant threat during his own era, citing the example of Evandor Holyfield’s successful transition from cruiserweight. Usyk’s current dominance stems from consistently overcoming the sport’s biggest challenges, a testament to his strategic acumen and fighting prowess.

Lewis’s final words resonate with the core principles of a champion’s career: "It’s definitely the hardest thing to do because you basically want to be the best in boxing and take all the belts for yourself and be the number one guy. There’s always other boxers out there that don’t want you to achieve that. They’re standing by, they want to be beat you, they want to be the first boxer to beat you. That’s why you’ve got to make sure that you retire on top." Only Lewis and Usyk truly understand the sacrifices and dedication required to reach the summit of the heavyweight division, an achievement signifying the ultimate reward for a lifetime of boxing excellence. The duo’s shared experience underscores the unique demands of achieving undisputed heavyweight supremacy, an accomplishment rarely attained and fiercely contested.