Lennox Lewis Has No Hesitance When Asked If Oleksandr Usyk Could Beat A Peak Mike Tyson.
When asked whether Oleksandr Usyk could defeat a prime Mike Tyson, former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis showed no hesitation in giving his opinion. Lewis, known for his straightforward and analytical approach to boxing, made it clear that he believes Usyk would face a monumental challenge against a peak Tyson, despite Usyk’s remarkable skills and accomplishments in the modern era.
Lewis highlighted that while Usyk is a highly technical fighter with impressive agility, speed, and a deep understanding of boxing fundamentals, facing a prime Mike Tyson is an entirely different matter. He emphasized that Tyson, at his peak, was not only known for his ferocious punching power but also for his explosive speed, relentless aggression, and a style that overwhelmed opponents. In his view, the combination of Tyson’s raw power and intimidation factor would make it incredibly difficult for Usyk to withstand Tyson’s onslaught, especially in the early rounds.
Lewis, who faced Tyson himself later in Tyson’s career and won convincingly, is well-acquainted with what made Tyson so dangerous during his prime. He noted that Tyson’s aggressive peek-a-boo style, combined with his ability to close distance quickly and deliver devastating combinations, made him a unique force in the heavyweight division. Lewis suggested that Usyk’s more methodical and technical approach might not be enough to keep Tyson at bay, particularly in the early rounds when Tyson was known for his fast starts and knockout potential.
However, Lewis did acknowledge Usyk’s exceptional ring IQ and his ability to adapt to different opponents. Usyk, a former cruiserweight champion who successfully transitioned to heavyweight, has demonstrated his capacity to outbox bigger and stronger opponents. Lewis praised Usyk’s movement, footwork, and defensive skills, suggesting that if Usyk could survive Tyson’s early aggression and drag the fight into the later rounds, he might have a chance to outmaneuver and outbox a tiring Tyson. But in the end, Lewis seemed to lean towards the idea that a prime Tyson’s power and intensity would be too much for Usyk to handle.
The debate over how modern champions would fare against legends from previous eras is a common topic in boxing, with fans often comparing different styles, eras, and fighters’ physical attributes. Lewis’s response adds to the ongoing discussion, providing a veteran’s perspective on the challenges of facing a prime Tyson—a fighter whose unique combination of skills made him one of the most feared heavyweights in history.
While the hypothetical matchup between Usyk and a prime Tyson will never be settled in the ring, the conversation underscores the timeless appeal of boxing’s greatest champions and the excitement that comes with comparing different eras of the sport.
