Legend Lennox Lewis guides how to knock down Oleksandr Usyk

When it comes to heavyweight boxing, few names command as much respect as Lennox Lewis, the former undisputed heavyweight champion and one of the most technically gifted big men in boxing history. Having fought and defeated some of the most dangerous fighters of his era, Lewis knows the mental and physical demands of competing at the very top. Recently, he weighed in on how he would approach facing Oleksandr Usyk, the reigning pound-for-pound king and current unified heavyweight champion.

Lewis’s breakdown was blunt, tactical, and rooted in his own understanding of what it takes to beat an elite technician. His core message? Don’t try to out-box the best boxer in the division — out-punch him instead.

Why Usyk Is So Difficult to Beat

Oleksandr Usyk is not a typical heavyweight. A natural cruiserweight who moved up to the sport’s glamour division, Usyk has retained the mobility, speed, and ring IQ that made him undisputed at 200 pounds. His footwork is elite, his stamina seemingly endless, and his ability to read opponents is unmatched.

We’ve seen it time and again: big, powerful heavyweights try to impose themselves on Usyk, but end up chasing shadows. Anthony Joshua, in their first fight, tried to box with Usyk, only to be picked apart by angles, jabs, and relentless movement. Even in their rematch, where Joshua applied more pressure, Usyk’s adaptability allowed him to absorb the attacks and swing momentum his way.

This is exactly why Lewis warns against “trying to box a good boxer.” If you step into the ring with someone like Usyk and attempt to play his game, you’re already fighting on his terms — and that usually means you’re losing.

The Lewis Blueprint: Think Like a Big Heavyweight

Lewis believes the key is for big heavyweights to fight like big heavyweights. In his own words:

“If you can’t out-box Usyk, you’ve got to out-punch him. If you’re a big heavyweight, you’ve got to command the ring. You’ve got to push the little guys up against the ropes, where they can’t run around, and then take advantage.”

This is more than just a call to be aggressive — it’s about ring control. Big heavyweights often have significant size and weight advantages over Usyk, but those advantages mean little if they allow him to dance freely around the canvas. Lewis’s strategy is simple: cut off the ring, trap Usyk in confined spaces, and make him fight in close quarters where his movement is restricted.

In that scenario, size becomes a weapon. Lean on him, rough him up in the clinch, sap his energy. Force him to feel every pound of the weight difference, make him work harder to find space, and punish him with short, sharp shots on the inside.

Lessons from History

Lennox Lewis didn’t just come up with this advice in theory — it’s a tactic he used in his own career against fighters who had superior hand speed or technical skills. Against Evander Holyfield, a smaller heavyweight with excellent boxing skills, Lewis used his jab to establish range, then applied physical pressure to wear him down. Against David Tua, another elusive and dangerous puncher, he cut off the ring and made sure Tua could never dictate the pace.

In many ways, the Usyk challenge is similar to what Lewis faced when fighting skilled, smaller heavyweights. The danger isn’t their power — it’s their ability to avoid punishment while scoring points round after round.

Why Most Heavyweights Fail Against Usyk

The reason Lewis’s advice is so important is that many modern heavyweights seem reluctant to abandon their preferred fighting styles. Fighters like Joshua and Daniel Dubois came into bouts against Usyk with the belief they could blend boxing skill with power. Unfortunately, when they tried to match Usyk’s rhythm, they found themselves reacting instead of dictating.

Lewis is essentially saying: You cannot win a chess match against the best chess player in the division. You have to change the game. By refusing to give Usyk the space and time he thrives on, a bigger heavyweight forces him into a fight of strength and grit — something that can level the playing field.

The Psychological Battle

Another hidden element in Lewis’s blueprint is the mental pressure. Usyk is a master at frustrating opponents. His constant movement, feints, and rapid adjustments can cause fighters to lose patience and make mistakes. By applying physical pressure from the opening bell, a heavyweight can flip the mental script. Instead of Usyk controlling the tempo, he would have to spend every second finding ways to escape or counter. That can chip away at even the most disciplined fighter.

Who Could Execute the Plan Today?

While Lewis’s strategy is sound, it’s easier said than done. Not every heavyweight has the skill set, conditioning, or mental toughness to cut off the ring against someone as elusive as Usyk. Fighters like Tyson Fury or Filip Hrgović have the size and ring IQ to potentially follow Lewis’s blueprint, but the question is whether they can maintain that pressure for 12 rounds without gassing out.

For someone like Deontay Wilder, the plan would require a complete change of style. While Wilder has devastating power, he’s not known for sustained pressure or cutting off the ring — two elements Lewis says are essential.

Usyk’s Possible Counters

Of course, Usyk wouldn’t be a sitting duck in this scenario. If an opponent tried to bully him against the ropes, he could use his superior footwork to pivot out or fire quick combinations to create space. Usyk also has the ability to change pace mid-round, luring an opponent into over-committing before exploiting openings.

This is why Lewis emphasizes discipline — not just physical aggression. A big heavyweight can’t recklessly charge in, or Usyk will punish them with counters. The key is controlled pressure: cut off angles, step in behind a stiff jab, and only throw heavy combinations when the opportunity is clear.

The Bottom Line

Lennox Lewis’s assessment of how to beat Oleksandr Usyk is rooted in both respect and experience. He recognizes that Usyk’s skill set makes him a nightmare for traditional boxing strategies, especially for opponents who try to match his technical abilities.

The formula Lewis offers — out-punch him, command the ring, trap him, and use size to your advantage — might be the only way for today’s heavyweights to topple the Ukrainian champion.

Whether anyone in the current heavyweight landscape can execute that game plan over 12 grueling rounds remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: trying to out-box Usyk is a strategy destined to fail. To beat the master boxer, you have to take him out of his comfort zone — and that’s a challenge only the most disciplined and determined heavyweights can rise to meet.