Names such as Ali, Foreman, Frazier, Norton, and Marciano come to mind, and the question I pose, where does Lennox Lewis rank amongst the heavyweight greats?
We start off looking back on the man and fighter known as Lennox Lewis. Born in England, Lennox Claudius Lewis, Lewis flourished as an amateur winning several titles including the Gold Medal in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Lewis finished up with a stellar amateur record of (94-11).
Lewis made his professional debut the summer of 1989 defeating his fellow countryman Al Malcolm in two rounds. In his early years, Lewis fought mainly out of the UK and Canada, with a few fights in the United States.
After winning a few minor titles, Lewis was awarded the WBC heavyweight strap, when then champion Riddick Bowe who Lewis defeated in the amateurs refused to fight Lewis. Bowe, who rarely showed any class even went as far as throwing his belt in the trash.
Seven months after being awarded the title, Lewis would defend it against Tony Tucker, winning with a twelve round unanimous decision.
Lewis, who had won twenty-five consecutive bouts, hit a bump in the road the fall of 1994, by the name of Oliver McCall. In the second round of their WBC heavyweight scrap, McCall landed a solid right hand that dropped Lewis to the canvas.
All though Lewis made it to his feet, referee Jose Garcia waved off the fight at the dismay of a dazed and confused Lewis, who later stated, “I was totally robbed!”
After earning four consecutive wins, including victories over the likes of Ray Mercer and Tommy Morrison, Lewis would get a shot at revenge against Oliver McCall, in what was a bizarre incident for all in the boxing world.
Lewis went head to head against McCall February of 1997, after four rounds of the fight, the fifth would be the end for McCall, who refused to fight back who pretty much had a nervous breakdown in front of the entire boxing world.
Lewis, who has had his share of odd incidents throughout his boxing career faced fellow UK boxer Henry Akinwande. In what was more of a hugging match than a fight Akinwande was disqualified in the fifth round for repeatedly holding Lewis.
In his next fight against the foul pole Andrew Golota, many thought the bruising Polish puncher would give Lewis fits, as he did twice against Riddick Bowe, but instead of an all out war, Golota received an all out first round beat down from the hands of Lewis.
As the years drove on, Lewis would go on to deliver more beat downs…
In the second installment of Looking back on Lennox Lewis, we will break down his fights against, Briggs, Holyfield, Tyson Rahman and Klitschko.
Lennox Lewis inducted into the 2008 Boxing Hall of Fame
World Boxing Hall of Fame Banquet
