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Lewis, Lennox

The Boxer

Born in London, and fighting professionally under the British Flag, Lennox Lewis moved to Canada at the age of twelve, and won the Olympic heavyweight gold medal for Canada. This change of allegiance was always questioned by fight fans, who wondered whether his move back was to further his career, rather than a genuine pang of home sickness.

This uncertainty of loyalty and allegiance was never truly resolved, which meant he was never endeared by the general British public. His fights in the UK rarely generated huge publicity or attendance, which led to his later fights being held outside of the UK.

Lewis is one of just three heavyweights (Ali and Holyfield) to win the title on three separate occasions. There is controversy over how Lewis won his first heavyweight title, Riddick Bowe (current champion) refused to fight Lewis, the WBC stripped Bowe of the belt and gave it to Lewis.

Lewis has only lost two fights, once to Oliver McCall and once to Hasim Rahman. He avenged both of these defeats, which makes him one of only three heavyweights champions with no unavenged losses (Tunney and Marciano). Lewis's heavyweight record is therefore one of the most impressive on paper, and certainly the best of any UK heavyweight.

It's often being highlighted that Lewis has rarely received the respect his boxing record deserves, especially from US boxing sportswriters and fans. His critics will state he was beaten by two very mediocre fighters, never fought any truly great heavyweights, except when they were far past their prime (Tyson and Holyfield).

It's probably true to say that lewis was rarely truly tested. Lewis's last fight was against Vitali Klitschko, who was leading on the judges score cards before the fight was stopped due to a cut above Klitschko's eye. Lewis retired and never gave Klitschko a chance to avenge the defeat.

One of Lennox's favourite past times is chess. Emmanuel Steward, one of Lennox's trainer, said: "Lennox definitely belongs in the top six heavyweights of all-time".

Statistics

  • Born - 02 / 09 / 1965
  • Weight participated at - Heavyweight
  • Born - West Ham, London, England
  • Nationality - British
  • Stance - Orthodox
  • Reach - 84 inches
  • Height - 6 foot and 5 inches

Boxing record

  • Total fights - 44
  • Losses - 2 = McCall, Rahman
  • Wins - 41
  • Wins by Knock Out - 32
  • Draws - 1
  • No contests - 0

Noted bouts

Debut

  • Date - 27 / 06 / 1989
  • Against - Al Malcolm
  • Held - Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London
  • Result - Won
  • Round - Second, Technical Knock Out

First world defense

  • Date - 08 / 05 / 1993
  • Belt - WBC heavyweight title
  • Against - Tony Tucker
  • Held - Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas
  • Result - Won
  • Round - Twelfth, Unanimous Decision

First defeat

  • Date - 24 / 09 / 1994
  • Belt - WBC heavyweight title
  • Against - Oliver McCall
  • Held - The Arena, Wembley, London
  • Result - Lost
  • Round - Second, Technical Knock Out

Recent News Headlines

  • December 2008 - Lewis will headline the 2009 entries into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

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