Lennox Lewis will be a very interested spectator when Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk step into the ring next month.
Lewis, now 58, is boxing’s last undisputed heavyweight world champion having brought together all of the belts by beating Evander Holyfield in 1999.
He has since campaigned regularly for a new undisputed king to follow in his footsteps, but has had to wait 25 years to see it.
Now, Fury and Usyk will meet for all four belts in Saudi Arabia, with Lewis set to play an honorary role, according to what WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman wrote in his latest column.
“In less than a month Riyadh will receive the fight anticipated by all fans,” Sulaiman said.
“The most important in the heavyweight category in at least 25 years ‘Ring of Fire’ will be held.
“It is about the fight for the undisputed title, with all four belts at stake (WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO).
“Our champion, British Tyson Fury, will face Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk this coming February 17.
“The fight has been officially sanctioned and even with the condition of a rematch – no matter what happens, there will be chapter two of this epic.
“The last undisputed heavyweight champion was Lennox Lewis, who will be a guest of honour and will represent the WBC in crowning the new undisputed champion.”
It’s not exactly clear what this role will entail, but from that description one would expect Lewis to be on hand to present the WBC’s belt to the winner after the fight.
He was previously in attendance for Fury’s victory over Deontay Wilder in their 2020 rematch and proudly congratulated his fellow Brit after that triumph.
Time will tell if he does the same on February 17, or if Usyk can conquer the crown.
