Lewis talks greatest fights of career

Muhammad Ali once told Lennox “The Lion” Lewis, “You’re the greatest one there is, like me.”

One of the most decorated boxers of all time, Lewis was a dominant force during a very competitive era of heavyweight boxing. The polarizing fighter, who left Canada after winning Olympic gold in 1988, won the first 25 fights of his professional career and was awarded the WBC heavyweight champion in December 1992 after Riddick Bowe refused to fight him.  Lewis retired in 2003 and is the last undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. 

Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson – June 8, 2002 at The Pyramid Arena in Memphis, Tennessee

His most highly anticipated fight came near the end of his career against the controversial Mike Tyson. Lewis would go on to win quite easily and was the richest fight in terms of Pay Per View buys for the next five years. 

“My trainer always said that would be my easiest fight, but I didn’t understand what he meant. I thought it was going to be rougher. And then, you know when he bit Evander Holyfield people were saying ‘What do you think he’s going to do to you?’ I thought he was going to pull my hair or do something, but he did actually bite me on my leg in the press conference.”

That’s right; Holyfield wasn’t the only victim of Tyson’s chompers.

During a press conference before the fight, Tyson started a scuffle between the two camps, eventually falling to the floor where he bit Lewis on the leg.

“I’m not used to be bitten by another human. We’re gladiators, we don’t bite each other,” said Lewis.

Hasim Rahman vs. Lennox Lewis II - November 17, 2001 at Mandalay Bay in Paradise, Nevada

Tyson might have been the biggest name Lewis fought in his career, but beating American Hasim Rahman was his most satisfying victory.

Lewis was knocked out by Rahman in May 2001 during the fifth round of a heavyweight bout in South Africa. 

After months of trash-talking between the two, including a brawl during a live ESPN interview, Lewis would get his revenge, reclaiming the world heavyweight title for a third time with a fourth-round knockout.

“The Rahman [was the most satisfying] fight because of the fact that he was very disrespectful,” explained Lewis. “And having to fight him again and knock him down ahead of the round he knocked me out in. I think I broke all records with that one.”

Lennox Lewis vs. Oliver McCall II - February 7, 1997 at Las Vegas Hilton in Paradise, Nevada

His most unusual fight came against Oliver McCall in February of 1997.

McCall had taken the title from Lewis (the first loss of his career) in London three years prior in a controversial upset that ended with a second-round technical knockout.

Lewis and McCall would fight again in Las Vegas for the title. Lewis was beating McCall handily in the early going before the American began to avoid the fight all together in the fourth round. He even started to cry, eventually forcing the referee to call it and award Lewis the championship by TKO. 

“I was prepared for anything, but I was not prepared for that. I wasn’t prepared for a man breaking down,” said Lewis. “I actually realized he had problems. I went back to the corner and said to Emmanuel Stewart ‘Yo, he’s crying,’ and he said “if he crying, well beat him up and make him cry more.”

Lewis says McCall bothered him for a while after their second fight, hoping for a rematch. Lewis wanted no part of it.

“I could not handle another cry session,” he chuckled.

Hanging Up the Gloves

Some thought Lewis still had a few good years left in him when he retired in 2003, less than a year after defending his titles against Ukrainian Vitali Klitschko in the last fight of his career. 

Although, there is something to be said for leaving as the champion. Lewis retired at the same age as he idol, Muhammad Ali, did in 1981.

The itch to come back to the ring has always been prevalent says Lewis.

A fight between Lewis and current heavyweight champion - and Vitali’s brother - Wladimir Klitschko would create a lot of interest, but boxing fans shouldn’t hold their breath. There were rumours floating around in 2013 that the two fighters were in discussions to put on a super fight for $100 million, although Klitschko's camp called the reports  "absurd and garbage." 

“I quietly talk myself out of it [coming out of retirement]. I’ve always said ‘$100 million would let me take off my pajamas,’ so I already took off the top,” said Lewis. “Not thinking of anything right now.”