Lennox Lewis

Lennox Lewis, CM, CBE
Statistics
Real name Lennox Claudius Lewis
Nickname(s) The Lion
Rated at Heavyweight
Height 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Reach 84 in (213 cm)
Nationality British[1]
Canadian
Born September 2, 1965
West Ham, London, England
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 44
Wins 41
Wins by KO 32
Losses 2
Draws 1
No contests 0

Lennox Claudius Lewis, CM, CBE (born 2 September 1965) is a retired boxer and the most recent undisputed world heavyweight champion. He holds dual British and Canadian citizenship. As an amateur he won gold representing Canada at the 1988 Olympic Games after defeating future heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe in the final. Lewis is regarded by many as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time.[2][3]

Lewis turned professional in 1989, winning his first 21 fights before he knocked out Donovan Ruddock in 1992 to take over the number one position in the World Boxing Council (WBC) rankings. He was declared WBC heavyweight champion in December 1992 after Riddick Bowe was stripped of the title. Lewis lost the title to Oliver McCall in 1994 but defeated McCall in a rematch to win the vacant WBC title in 1997. He defended the title four times before becoming the Lineal Champion when he beat Shannon Briggs by knockout in 1998. He became undisputed champion when he defeated Evander Holyfield in November 1999. After defeating Mike Tyson by knockout in 2002 and stopping Vitali Klitschko in 2003, Lennox Lewis retired from boxing in 2004.

Lewis is 6 feet 5 inches (196 centimetres) tall and has an 84-inch (213 cm) reach. During his boxing prime, he weighed about 245 pounds (111 kg). Lewis often referred to himself as "the pugilist specialist." Lewis is rated by BoxRec as the number one pound-for-pound best British boxer of all time.[4]

Early life

Lewis was born on 2 September 1965, in Stratford, London, England to Jamaican-born parents.[5] At birth he weighed 10 pounds 10 ounces (4.8 kg), and was given the name Lennox by the doctor, who said he looked like a Lennox.[6] Lewis moved to Kitchener, Ontario, Canada in 1977 at the age of 12. He attended Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute for high school, where he excelled in Canadian football, soccer and basketball.[7]

Amateur career

Lewis eventually decided that his favorite sport was boxing. He became a dominant amateur boxer and won the world amateur junior title in 1983.[8]

At the age of 18, Lewis represented Canada as a super heavyweight at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He advanced to the quarter-finals, where he lost a decision to American Tyrell Biggs, the eventual gold medalist.

Lewis chose not to turn professional after the Olympics, and instead fought four more years as an amateur, hoping for a second chance to win a gold medal. At 1986 World Amateur Boxing Championships, he lost in the preliminary round to Petar Stoymenov of Bulgaria.[9] After winning several more amateur titles during those years, he travelled to Seoul, South Korea for the 1988 Summer Olympics and achieved his goal. In the gold medal match, Lewis defeated future world champion Riddick Bowe by a second round referee stopped contest (RSC). He was Canada's flag bearer at the Games' closing ceremony.[10]

Professional boxing career

Having achieved his goal, Lewis declared himself a professional and moved back to his native England. He claimed he had always considered himself British,[11][12][13] but many British fans regarded him as "a Canadian at heart and a Briton for convenience."[14]

He signed with boxing promoter Frank Maloney and his early professional career was filled with knockouts of journeymen. After he signed with American promoter Main Events, he won the European heavyweight title in 1990 against Frenchman Jean Maurice Chanet. In his next fight in March 1991, Lewis won the British title against undefeated, world-ranked Gary Mason, and in April 1992 won the Commonwealth title against Derek Williams.

Lewis was a top-five world heavyweight. He defeated former WBA heavyweight champion Mike Weaver, 1984 Olympic Gold medalist Tyrell Biggs, former world cruiserweight title holders Glenn McCrory and Osvaldo Ocasio, and journeymen Levi Billups and Mike Dixon.

WBC champion

On 31 October 1992, Lewis knocked out Canadian Donovan "Razor" Ruddock in two rounds for the number one contender's position in the WBC rankings. It was Lewis' most impressive win to date, and established him as one of the world's best heavyweights. Sportscaster Larry Merchant declared, "We have a great new heavyweight."

The win over Ruddock made Lewis the number one contender for Riddick Bowe's heavyweight championship. Bowe refused to face Lewis, and held a press conference to dump his title in a trash can and relinquish it. On 14 December 1992, the WBC declared Lewis its champion, making him the first world heavyweight titleholder from Britain in the 20th century.

Lewis defended the belt three times, defeating Tony Tucker, whom he knocked down for the first time in Tucker's career, and he followed this with knockout victories over Frank Bruno and Phil Jackson. The Lennox Lewis vs. Frank Bruno fight was the first time two British-born boxers fought for a version of the world heavyweight title in the modern era.[15]

Loss to McCall

Lewis lost his WBC title to Oliver McCall on 24 September 1994 in a huge upset at the Wembley Arena in London. In the second round, McCall landed a powerful right hook, putting Lewis on his back. Lewis gained his feet at the count of six, but stumbled forward into the referee in a daze. Referee Jose Guadalupe Garcia felt Lewis was unable to continue and ended the fight, giving McCall the title by technical knockout. Lewis and others argued the stoppage was premature and that a champion should be given the benefit of the doubt.[16] They also contended that Garcia, a Mexican referee working for the Mexican-based WBC, had been persuaded by promoter Don King to end the fight early if the opportunity arose, to bring back the heavyweight title to his promotional stable.[17]

After the fight, Lewis decided he needed a new trainer to replace Pepe Correa, who had become increasingly difficult to work with. Correa denounced Lewis in public after being fired. Renowned trainer Emanuel Steward, who had been McCall's trainer during their fight, was Lewis' choice. Even before the fight with McCall, Steward had seen much potential in Lewis and immediately expressed a desire to work with him. He corrected several of Lewis' technical flaws, which included maintaining a more balanced stance, less reliance on his straight right hand, and a focus on using a strong, authoritative jab; the latter of which would become a hallmark of Lewis' style throughout the rest of his career. Their partnership lasted until Lewis' retirement, both having mutual praise and respect for each other to this day.[17]

Regaining the WBC title

In his first comeback fight Lewis was given a chance to fight for the mandatory challenger position within the WBC and won it by knocking out American contender Lionel Butler. However, at the behest of promoter Don King, the WBC bypassed him and gave Mike Tyson the first chance at the title recently been won by Briton Frank Bruno from Oliver McCall. Bruno had previously lost to both Lewis and Tyson.

Lewis had the number 1 contender's slot in the WBC rankings when he knocked out Australian Justin Fortune, then defeated former WBO Champion Tommy Morrison in October 1995, followed by Olympic gold medallist and former WBO champion Ray Mercer in a close majority decision in May 1996. Lewis successfully sued to force Tyson to make a mandatory defense of the WBC title against him or force him to give up the title, winning a four million dollar settlement from promoter Don King. Rather than fight Lewis, Tyson relinquished the WBC title to fight Evander Holyfield. The WBC title was declared vacant. This set up a rematch between Lewis and McCall, who met on 7 February 1997 in Las Vegas for the WBC title.

In one of the strangest fights in boxing history, McCall (having lost the first three rounds) refused to box in the fourth and fifth rounds. He then began crying in the ring, forcing the referee to stop the fight and award Lewis the victory and the title. As newly re-crowned WBC champion, Lewis successfully defended the title during 1997 against fellow Briton and former WBO world champion Henry Akinwande, who was disqualified after five rounds for excessive clinching. Lewis then met Poland's Andrew Golota, whom he knocked out in the first round. Lewis retained the WBC world title in 1998 when he knocked out lineal champion Shannon Briggs in five rounds (Briggs had recently outpointed George Foreman in a controversial fight to win the lineal title), and beat formerly-undefeated European champion Željko Mavrović from Croatia in a 12-round unanimous decision. Lewis stated in 2006 that his fight with Mavrovic was the most awkward win of his career.[18]

Lewis vs. Holyfield

On 13 March 1999, Lewis faced WBA and IBF title holder Evander Holyfield in New York City in what was supposed to be a heavyweight unification bout. Lewis fought a tactical fight, keeping Holyfield off balance with a long jab and peppering him with combinations almost at will. Although most observers believed Lewis had clearly won the fight, the bout was declared a draw, to much controversy. The raw statistics of the fight suggested the bout belonged to Lewis, who landed 348 punches compared to Holyfield's 130. Lewis also out-jabbed Holyfield 137 to 52.[19] Judge Eugenia Williams, who scored the fight in Holyfield's favour, said she saw Lewis land fewer punches than Holyfield.[20]

Lewis vs. Holyfield II

The sanctioning bodies ordered a rematch.[21] Eight months later in Las Vegas (13 November 1999), the two men fought again in a more open and entertaining contest than the original fight, with the two boxers having some heavy exchanges from rounds 6 to 9. The punch stats however still clearly favoured Lewis who landed 195 punches to Evander Holyfield's 137 punches, although interestingly Lewis landed 119 power shots and 76 jabs, showing a definite shift in his tactics from the first fight when he focused more on the jab. This time around the 3 Judges did score the fight unanimously (115–113, 116–112 & 117–111) all in favour of Lewis who became undisputed heavyweight champion of the World. The British public voted Lewis the 1999 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.[22]

Reign as Undisputed Champion

After Lewis defeated Holyfield the WBA ordered Lewis to defend the title against John Ruiz of Puerto Rico, then an obscure Don King fighter who had been made the WBA's #1-ranked contender. The WBA gave permission for Lewis to fight his WBC mandatory Michael Grant first if he would fight Ruiz next, which Lewis agreed to. Opposed to this, Ruiz's promoter challenged this decision in court on the basis of a clause in the Lewis-Holyfield rematch contract that said Lewis's first bout as undisputed champion would be against the WBA's number one contender. Lewis was therefore to be stripped of his WBA belt if he fought Grant first. It was because of this that the WBA instated its "Super Champion" title, giving unified titleholders who also hold a WBA belt more time to defend against mandatory challengers.

Lewis proceeded to fight the 6 ft 8 inch American Michael Grant who he considered the best contender available. He successfully defended his WBC, IBO & IBF titles against Grant with a second round knockout victory in Madison Square Garden in April 2000.

Later that same year Lewis knocked out South African Francois Botha in two rounds in London, before winning a 12-round decision against New Zealander and IBF mandatory opponent, David Tua in Las Vegas.

Lewis vs. Rahman

On 21 April 2001, Lewis was knocked out by 15-to-1 underdog Hasim Rahman in a bout in South Africa. Prior to the bout, Lewis had a role in the film Ocean's Eleven in which he "boxed" against Wladimir Klitschko.

Lewis vs. Rahman II

Lewis immediately sought a rematch with the new champion; however, Rahman, now being promoted by Don King, tried to secure another opponent for his inaugural title defence. Lewis took Rahman to court to honour the rematch clause in their contract. Rahman was ordered to honour the clause and give Lewis a rematch in his first title defence. While promoting the rematch with Rahman on ESPN's Up Close, the fighters got into a brawl[23] similar to the one between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in front of Howard Cosell on Wide World of Sports. Lewis regained the title on 17 November by outclassing and then knocking out Hasim Rahman in the fourth round of their rematch.

Lewis vs. Tyson

The Lewis-Tyson fight was one of the most anticipated heavyweight fights in years.

On 8 June 2002, Lewis defended his title against Mike Tyson. A fight many had hoped would be a classic turned out to be one-sided as Lennox used his jab and superior reach to score a dominant knockout victory over "Iron Mike." By the end of the seventh round Tyson was tired and sluggish, his face swollen and his eyes cut. He was knocked out in the eighth by a right hook. After the fight, George Foreman declared, "He [Lewis] is, no doubt, the best heavyweight of all time. What he's done clearly puts him on top of the heap."[24] This was the highest-grossing event in pay-per-view history, generating $106.9 million from 1.95 million buys in the U.S., until it was surpassed by De La Hoya-Mayweather in 2007.[25]

Ticket sales were slow because they were priced as high as $2,400, but a crowd of 15,327 turned up to see boxing's then biggest event at the Pyramid Arena in Memphis, Tennessee. Tyson also had to pay Lewis $335,000 out of his purse for biting him at the news conference to announce the fight, which was originally scheduled for 6 April 2002 in Las Vegas. Las Vegas, however, rejected the fight because of Tyson's licensing problems and several other states refused Tyson a license before Memphis finally bid $12 million to land it.

Lewis vs. Klitschko

In May 2003, Lewis sued boxing promoter Don King for $385 million, claiming that King used threats and bribery to have Tyson pull out of a rematch with Lewis and a fight on the card of a Lewis title defence.

Lewis scheduled a fight with Kirk Johnson for June, but when Johnson suffered an injury in training, Lewis fought Vitali Klitschko, the WBC's #1 contender and former WBO champion. Lewis had planned to fight him in December, but since Klitschko had been on the undercard of the Johnson fight anyway, they agreed to square off on June 21. Lewis entered the ring at a career high 256½ pounds.[26] Lewis was dominated in the early rounds and was wobbled in round two by solid Klitschko punches. Lewis opened a cut above Klitschko's eye with a right cross in the third round and gave a better showing from the fourth round onwards, with both fighters looking tired, before the start of round seven the doctor advised that the fight should be stopped because of a severe cut above Klitschko's left eye, awarding Lewis victory by TKO. Klitschko was leading 58–56 on all three judges' scorecards when the fight was stopped.

Interviewed about the fight by HBO, doctor Paul Wallace explained his decision:

"When he raised his head up, his upper eyelid covered his field of vision. At that point I had no other option but to stop the fight. If he had to move his head to see me, there was no way he could defend his way against a punch."

Klitschko's face required sixty stitches.[27][28][29]

Because Klitschko had fought so bravely against Lewis, boxing fans soon began calling for a rematch. The WBC agreed, and kept the Ukrainian as its No. 1 contender. Lewis initially was in favour of a rematch:

"I want the rematch, I enjoyed that fight. It was just a fight. We went at it. You have to play dollars and cents but I'm opting more for the rematch."[30]

Negotiations for the rematch followed but Lewis changed his mind [31] Instead, Klitschko fought and defeated Kirk Johnson on December 6 in WBC Eliminator, setting up a mandatory rematch with Lewis. Lewis announced his retirement shortly thereafter and vacated the title. Lewis announced his retirement in February 2004 and decided to pursue other interests, including sports management and music promotion. Lewis said he would not return to the ring. At his retirement, Lewis's record was 41 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw, with 32 wins by knockout. Though it was rumoured in an article published by the Daily Mail on February 24 that he would return to fight Klitschko once again, Lewis quickly shot down those rumours on his personal website. In 2008 Lewis commented on a possible match up with Riddick Bowe. "He waits until I am in retirement to call out my name," said Lewis. "I will come out of retirement to beat up that guy. I'll beat him up for free."[32]

Along with Gene Tunney and Rocky Marciano, Lewis is one of three world heavyweight champions to have retired with no unavenged defeats.

In 2008, Lewis was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.[33] In 2009, in his first year of eligibility, Lewis was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.[34] He was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.[35]

Lewis worked as a boxing analyst for HBO on Boxing After Dark from 2006 until 2010.

Outside boxing

In 2000, Lewis appeared on Reflection Eternal's debut album Train of Thought, giving a shout out on the track "Down for the Count."

In 2002, Lewis was reportedly offered £5m by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) chairman Vince McMahon to take up professional wrestling in his industry. His camp held discussions over a possible match with WWE superstar Brock Lesnar in February 2003, at the No Way Out pay-per-view event.[36] Prior to the offer Lennox was familiar with wrestling; he was part of the famous match held in Wembley Stadium between The British Bulldog and Bret "The Hitman" Hart for the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam in 1992, representing the Bulldog during his entrance while bearing an Union Flag.

In 2003, Lewis made a brief cameo appearance in the Jennifer Lopez and LL Cool J video "All I Have".

In 2006 he appeared in the movie Johnny Was with Vinnie Jones.

Lewis played in the World Series of Poker in both 2006 and 2007, and was knocked out without winning any money.

Lewis appeared on NBC's Celebrity Apprentice in 2008. He came in fourth place (out of 14).

Lewis has also done a public service announcement against domestic violence for Do Something.[37]

In 2011 he was awarded an honorary Doctorate from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario.

Lewis is a supporter of his home town football club, West Ham United.[38]

Personal life

Lewis in January 2008

Upon retiring from boxing, Lewis moved to Miami Beach with his wife, Violet Chang, a former Miss Jamaica runner-up. They have four children. Lewis told AventuraUSA.com in 2007 that he is contemplating opening an "international boxing academy" and perhaps one day starting a record label, but he has yet to embark on either endeavour. Lewis supports the English football team West Ham United, the local team for the place of his birth. Lewis has a villa at the Tryall Club in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Lewis is an avid amateur chess player, and funded an after-school chess programme for disadvantaged youths, one of whom earned a university chess scholarship at Tennessee Tech.[39]

Amateur highlights

Losses

  • Razor Ruddock-avenged as a professional
  • Aleksandr Miroshnichenko
  • Ulli kaden-avenged in 1988 Olympics
  • Tyrell Biggs-avenged as a professional
  • Jorge Luis Gonzalez-avenged
  • Petar Stoymenov

Professional boxing record

41 Wins (32 Knockouts), 2 Losses, 1 Draw[41]
Res. Record Opponent Type Round,
Time		 Date Location Notes
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win41-2-1Ukraine Vitali Klitschko TKO6 (12),
3:00		2003-06-21 United States Staples Center, Los Angeles, California Retained Lineal/WBC/IBO/The Ring heavyweight titles.
Lewis vacated his IBF title on September 5, 2002.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win40-2-1United States Mike Tyson KO8 (12),
2:25		2002-06-08 United States The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee Retained Lineal/WBC/IBF/IBO/The Ring heavyweight titles.
Lewis was awarded The Ring Magazine championship belt in 2002.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win39-2-1United States Hasim Rahman KO4 (12),
1:29		2001-11-17 United States Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada Won Lineal/WBC/IBF/IBO heavyweight titles.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss38-2-1United States Hasim Rahman KO5 (12),
2:32		2001-04-22 South Africa Carnival City Casino, Brakpan, Gauteng Lost Lineal/WBC/IBF/IBO heavyweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win38-1-1Samoa David Tua UD122000-11-11 United States Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada Retained Lineal/WBC/IBF/IBO heavyweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win37-1-1South Africa Francois Botha TKO2 (12),
2:39		2000-07-15 United Kingdom New London Arena, Millwall, London Retained Lineal/WBC/IBF/IBO heavyweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win36-1-1United States Michael Grant KO2 (12),
2:53		2000-04-29 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York Retained Lineal/WBC/IBF/IBO heavyweight titles.
Lewis was stripped of his WBA title on April 29, 2000, for refusing to fight John Ruiz.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win35-1-1United States Evander Holyfield UD121999-11-13 United States Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada Retained Lineal/WBC heavyweight titles.
Won WBA/IBF and vacant IBO heavyweight titles.
Draw34-1-1United States Evander Holyfield SD121999-03-13 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York Retained Lineal/WBC heavyweight titles.
For WBA/IBF heavyweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win34-1Croatia Željko Mavrović UD121998-09-26 United States Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut Retained Lineal/WBC heavyweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win33-1United States Shannon Briggs TKO5 (12),
1:45		1998-03-28 United States Boardwalk Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey Retained WBC heavyweight title.
Won Lineal heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win32-1Poland Andrew Golota KO1 (12),
1:35		1997-10-04 United States Caesar's Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey Retained WBC heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win31-1United Kingdom Henry Akinwande DQ5 (12),
2:34		1997-07-12 United States Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada Retained WBC heavyweight title.
Akinwande disqualified for repeated holding.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win30-1United States Oliver McCall TKO5 (12),
0:55		1997-02-07 United States Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada Won vacant WBC heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win29-1United States Ray Mercer MD101996-05-10 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win28-1United States Tommy Morrison TKO6 (12),
1:22		1995-10-07 United States Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win27-1Australia Justin Fortune TKO4 (10),
1:48		1995-07-02 Republic of Ireland Point Theatre, Dublin
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win26-1United States Lionel Butler TKO5 (12),
2:55		1995-05-13 United States ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California WBC heavyweight Final Eliminator.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss25-1United States Oliver McCall TKO2 (12),
0:31		1994-09-24 United Kingdom Wembley Arena, Wembley, London Lost WBC heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win25-0United States Phil Jackson TKO8 (12),
1:35		1994-05-06 United States Boardwalk Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey Retained WBC heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win24-0United Kingdom Frank Bruno TKO7 (12),
1:12		1993-10-01 United Kingdom Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff Retained WBC heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win23-0United States Tony Tucker UD121993-05-08 United States Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada Retained WBC heavyweight title.
Lewis was declared the WBC heavyweight champion on 14 December 1992, after then-champion Riddick Bowe refused to defend against him.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win22-0Canada Donovan Ruddock TKO2 (12),
0:46		1992-10-31 United Kingdom Earls Court Exhibition Centre, Kensington, London Won Commonwealth heavyweight title.
WBC heavyweight Final Eliminator.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win21-0United States Mike Dixon TKO4 (10),
1:02		1992-08-11 United States Harrah's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win20-0United Kingdom Derek Williams TKO3 (12),
?		1992-04-30 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London Retained British/European heavyweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win19-0United States Levi Billups UD101992-02-01 United States Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win18-0United States Tyrell Biggs TKO3 (10),
2:47		1991-11-23 United States The Omni, Atlanta, Georgia
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 17-0United Kingdom Glenn McCrory KO2 (12),
1:30		1991-09-30 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London Retained British/European heavyweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win16-0United States Mike Weaver KO6 (10),
1:05		1991-07-12 United States Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win15-0United Kingdom Gary Mason TKO7 (12),
0:44		1991-03-06 United Kingdom Wembley Arena, Wembley, London Retained European heavyweight title.
Won British heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win14-0France Jean Chanet TKO6 (12),
0:16		1990-10-31 United Kingdom National Sports Centre, Crystal Palace, London Won European heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win13-0United States Mike Acey KO2 (10),
:34		1990-07-11 Canada Superstars Nite Club, Kitchener, Ontario
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win12-0Puerto Rico Ossie Ocasio UD81990-06-27 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win11-0United States Dan Murphy TKO6 (8),
?		1990-05-20 United Kingdom Sheffield Town Hall, Sheffield, Yorkshire
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win10-0Argentina Jorgé Dascola KO1 (8),
2:59		1990-05-09 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win9-0Zambia Michael Simuwelu TKO1 (8),
0:58		1990-04-14 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win8-0United States Calvin Jones KO1 (8),
2:34		1990-03-22 United Kingdom Leisure Centre, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win7-0United Kingdom Noel Quarless TKO2 (6),
1:25		1990-01-31 United Kingdom York Hall, Bethnal Green, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win6-0United States Greg Gorrell TKO5 (8),
0:51		1989-12-18 Canada Memorial Auditorium, Kitchener, Ontario
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win5-0United States Melvin Epps DQ2 (6),
0:30		1989-11-05 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win4-0United Kingdom Steve Garber KO1 (6),
?		1989-10-10 United Kingdom City Hall, Hull, Yorkshire
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win3-0United Kingdom Andrew Gerrard TKO4 (6),
0:33		1989-09-25 United Kingdom National Sports Centre, Crystal Palace, London
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win2-0United States Bruce Johnson TKO2 (6),
?		1989-07-21 United States Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win1-0United Kingdom Al Malcolm KO2 (6),
0:19		1989-06-27 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London Professional debut.

Styles from birth

See also

References

  1. ↑ Mee, Bob (2001-04-18). "Angry Lewis caught in the crossfire". The Daily Telegraph (London: Telegraph Media Group). Retrieved 2007-03-22.
  2. ↑ http://www.boxingnews24.com/2013/05/lennox-lewis-one-of-the-greatest-ever/
  3. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV5AMRL5-Hc
  4. ↑ BoxRec Boxing Records. Boxrec.com. Retrieved on 2012-12-19.
  5. ↑ The Lennox Lewis interview. Playboy online. April 2002. Accessed October 6, 2006
  6. ↑ Youtube: An Audience With Lennox Lewis 1/4
  7. ↑ Rivet, Christine (2004-02-06). "The champ hangs 'em up". The Record (Torstar Corporation).
  8. ↑ Nack, William (1993-02-01). "The Great Brit Hope". Sports Illustrated (Time Warner). Retrieved 2007-03-22.
  9. ↑ http://amateur-boxing.strefa.pl/Championships/WorldChamps1986.html
  10. ↑ "1988 Seoul". Canadian Olympic Committee. 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  11. ↑ Lewis, Ron (2008-04-02). "Lennox Lewis still fighting his corner as he lays into heavyweight issues". London: Timesonline. Retrieved 2010-03-22.
  12. ↑ "Lennox Lewis answers your questions" BBC, 21 December 2009, retrieved 25 December 2010
  13. ↑ "BOXING; Bruno vs. Lewis: A Personal Battle of Britain" New York Times, 10 August 1993, retrieved 25 December 2010
  14. ↑ Putnam, Pat (1993-10-11). "Bloody Poor Show". Sports Illustrated (Time Warner). Retrieved 2009-04-16.
  15. ↑ Bruno vs. Lewis: A Personal Battle of Britain. Nytimes.com (1993-08-10). Retrieved on 2011-11-25.
  16. ↑ Feour, Royce (2000-11-08). "Heavyweights' lone losses". Las Vegas Review-Journal (Stephens Media, LLC). Retrieved 2007-06-17.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Evans, Gavin (2005-09-19). Mama's Boy: Lennox Lewis and the Heavyweight Crown. Highdown Publishing. ISBN 9781905156092.
  18. ↑ SecondsOut Boxing News – UK Features – Lennox Lewis: Consummate Cool. Secondsout.com (2006-10-27). Retrieved on 2011-11-25.
  19. ↑ BBC report of the fight. BBC News (1999-03-14). Retrieved on 2011-11-25.
  20. ↑ BBC report after the fight. BBC News (1999-03-14). Retrieved on 2011-11-25.
  21. ↑ Berkow, Ira (1999-03-15). "A Rematch For Holyfield And Lewis Is Ordered". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  22. ↑ "Sports Personality Roll of Honour". BBC. Retrieve 26 December 2013
  23. ↑ Rovell, Darren (2001-08-30). "Lewis, Rahman get physical during taping". ESPN.com (ESPN Internet Ventures). Retrieved 2007-03-22.
  24. ↑ Lennox Lewis vs Mike Tyson – Part 5/5. YouTube. Retrieved on 2011-11-25.
  25. ↑ Umstead, R. Thomas (2007-05-14). "HBO Rings In A PPV Knockout". Multichannel News (Variety Group). Retrieved 2007-06-07.
  26. ↑ Rafael, Dan (2003-06-23). "Lewis shows his age in struggle to defend title". USA TODAY (Gannett Co. Inc.). Retrieved 2007-04-16.
  27. ↑ "BOXING; 60 Stitches for Klitschko", New York Times, June 25, 2003, retrieved December 23, 2010.
  28. ↑ "National Conference Call Transcript: Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko, Cut Man Joe Souza, Dr. Pearlman Hicks, Attorney Ron DiNicola", eastsideboxing.com, retrieved December 23, 2010.
  29. ↑ "Relief for Lewis, stitches for Klitschko", BBC, 22 June 2003 retrieved December 23, 2010.
  30. ↑ Rafael, Dan. (2003-07-03) "Lewis eager for rematch with Klitschko" By Dan Rafael, USA TODAY. Usatoday.com. Retrieved on 2011-11-25.
  31. ↑ "Lewis 'snubs' Klitschko". BBC News. 2003-08-04.
  32. ↑ In 2011, in response to a demand on Twitter from Bowe that he "put your gold medal on and let's fight for that!!", Lewis replied "I thought we already did." Lennox Lewis lays rumors of return to rest once and for all – ESPN. Sports.espn.go.com (2008-11-26). Retrieved on 2011-11-25.
  33. ↑ "Yzerman, Lewis among Canada's Sports Hall of Fame inductees". The Sports Network. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  34. ↑ "Lewis handed Hall of Fame honour". BBC News. 2008-12-09. Retrieved 2010-04-04.
  35. ↑ "Lennox Lewis". http://oshof.ca/''. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  36. ↑ BBC SPORT | Funny Old Game | Fox set to box. BBC News (2002-10-11). Retrieved on 2011-11-25.
  37. ↑ "Lennox Lewis Speaks Out Against Domestic Violence". Do Something. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
  38. ↑ Lennox Lewis would make ring return to fight Wladimir Klitschko... for $100m London 24, October 10, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  39. ↑ Elder, Larry (2008). Stupid Black men: how to play the race card-- and lose. Macmillan, ISBN 0-312-36733-3, p. 201-203.
  40. ↑ "Lennox Lewis". HBO.com. Home Box Office, Inc. 2007-02-20. Retrieved 2007-06-05.
  41. ↑ "Lennox Lewis' career boxing record". Boxrec.com. Retrieved 2009-01-12.

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to: Lennox Lewis
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1999 		Succeeded by
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1999 		Succeeded by
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Awards
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Sporting positions
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December 14, 1992 – September 24, 1994 		Succeeded by
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Preceded by
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Vacated		 WBC Heavyweight Champion
February 7, 1997 – April 22, 2001 		Succeeded by
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Vacant
Title last held by
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November 13, 1999 – April 29, 2000
Titles fractured 		Vacant
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Stripped		 IBO Heavyweight Champion
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November 13, 1999 – April 22, 2001 		Succeeded by
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Preceded by
Hasim Rahman		 IBF Heavyweight Champion
November 17, 2001 – September 5, 2002
Vacated 		Succeeded by
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Preceded by
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Retired 		Succeeded by
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Preceded by
Hasim Rahman		 IBO Heavyweight Champion
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Retired 		Succeeded by
Wladimir Klitschko
Preceded by
Hasim Rahman		 Lineal Heavyweight Champion
November 17, 2001 – February 6, 2004
Retired 		Succeeded by
Title terminated
Vacant
Title last held by
Evander Holyfield		 The Ring Heavyweight Champion
2002 – February 6, 2004
Retired 		Succeeded by
Vitali Klitschko