| Lennox Lewis Lennox Claudius Lewis was truly the best of his generation. He didn't duck anybody and he beat everyone whether as an amateur (Bowe) or as a professional (Tyson, Holyfield, Vitali Klitschko, Razor Ruddock to name but a few as it's a long and pretty impressive list). I think he is the kind of fighter whose legacy will only be truly appreciated when people look back on his time from a distance for today I think it is a little under appreciated. Boxing record A MAN OF CONTRADICTIONS: Lennox Lewis - Britain s first heavyweight champion in the 200s - is a man of paradoxes. In the ring, he was the ruthless boxer and brilliant technician that even Mike Tyson once paid to avoid; out of it, his favourite hobby is chess. Born and brought up in Britain to the age of twelve, it was nevertheless for Canada that he won an Olympic gold medal. Written-off as a has-been following defeats by Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman, he came back triumphantly to regain his titles after after both losses. His childhood in London's East End was troubled by the fact of his separation from his mother Violet, who had no choice but to leave her sons behind as she built a new life for them in Canada. Lewis came to boxing with a relentless drive for success - with a ferocity in the ring to ruthless wheeler-dealing outside it. These things led him to become a world champion. Perhaps it is his Canadian roots that mean he is not quite as endeared to the British public as say a Frank Bruno, who he beat. Perhaps it is the fact that many have never forgiven him for beating up the mighty Mike Tyson or that he is plainly a winner. Or that he doesn't give much of himself away outside the ring as say the aforementioned Bruno who has always been personality personified. Whatever it is I don't think it will last. His greatness will be proclaimed for he was a great Heavyweight Champion up there with Ali and Joe Louis in my opinion. I don't think any of the great fighters would have relished fighting him and many of his era went out of their way not to fight him for as long as they could possibly get away with it. Paul Page, December, 2012 FURTHER READING: These prints are available at ebay.com but more exciting: Lennox Lewis signed items @ ebay.com (direct link to signed items) - grab yourself a Lewis treasure Lennox Lewis signed items @ ebay.com (direct link to signed items) - grab yourself a Lewis treasure |
