All-time great heavyweights Lennox Lewis and Vladimir Klitschko are in Saudi Arabia this weekend for the big Usyk vs Fury 2 fight.
Both fighters know plenty about heavyweight championship fights of course.
The two were also on hand at the relaunch of the Ring Magazine in Saudi Arabia on Friday and said to Seconds Out:
“Radio Rahim: Wladimir Klitschko, always a pleasure to talk to you. We have so few opportunities. What brought you out to this particular event, and what does The Ring Magazine mean to you?
Wladimir Klitschko: The Ring Magazine is obviously the Bible of boxing—the sweet science. There have been so many champions on its cover; these are the icons of the sport. I was so proud of my brother when I first saw him on the cover, and I wanted to do the same. Eventually, I did it, so now both of us have been on the cover of The Ring Magazine.
And now, there’s another cover featuring The Ring Magazine. Lennox Lewis is going to pick me up for the picture. Thank you, Lennox.
Lennox Lewis: Yeah, I came to save him because he needs to be over there for the photo.
Radio Rahim: Oh, I thought you were going to get the knockout instead! [Laughs]
Before I let you both leave—you’re both icons in this sport, gracing the cover of this magazine—what does it feel like to see two other heavyweights in the spotlight? Does it make you even a little tempted to climb back through the ropes? There’s been a rumor that you might want to lace up the gloves again.
Wladimir Klitschko: Been there, done that. But, you know, even when I hear the crowd roar, I remember it—it doesn’t leave me completely. That energy, that adrenaline—it’s still there.
Radio Rahim: Wow. Okay. Both of you dominated your respective eras. How would you compare that era to this one?
Wladimir Klitschko: Every era is unique and special. They can’t really be compared. Every champion is special in their own way.
Lennox Lewis: I’ve got to go now. Same thing—same sentiment. Let’s enjoy the photo!
Radio Rahim: Radio Rahim here with Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko—two men who dominated the heavyweight division in their own right. Lennox was the last undisputed champion before we saw Oleksandr Usyk accomplish the same feat. What an honor to be here with all these legends. This is Radio Rahim, covering The Ring Magazine launch.”
There you have it, comebacks from both very unlikely.
There was genuine talk of a Wladimir Klitshcko comeback in 2024 but the above clarifies really where he is at.
He doesn’t need boxing anymore, nor does Lewis — always good to see both of them giving their time and take on big fights in the sport though still.
