Lennox Lewis

Biography

Lennox Claudius Lewis, born September 2, 1965, in West Ham, London, is a retired professional boxer who competed from 1989 to 2003. He is regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time and is known for his impressive record, powerful punches, and tactical fighting style.

Lewis's journey in boxing began when he moved to Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, with his mother at the age of 12. He excelled in various sports, including basketball and football, but pursued boxing. As an amateur, Lewis represented Canada at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games, winning a gold medal in the super-heavyweight division in the latter.

Turning professional in 1989, Lewis quickly made a name for himself, winning his first 21 fights and capturing the European, British, and Commonwealth heavyweight titles. In 1992, after Riddick Bowe relinquished the title, he became the WBC heavyweight champion. Lewis defended his belt thrice before suffering an upset loss to Oliver McCall in 1994.

Determined to reclaim his title, Lewis teamed up with legendary trainer Emanuel Steward, who helped refine his technique and develop a more balanced fighting style. In 1997, Lewis regained the WBC title in a rematch with McCall and established himself as the dominant heavyweight of his era.

1999, Lewis faced Evander Holyfield in a highly anticipated undisputed heavyweight championship bout. The first fight ended in a controversial draw, but Lewis left no doubt in the rematch, winning unanimously and becoming the undisputed champion. He held the WBC, WBA, IBF, and IBO titles simultaneously, a rare feat in boxing history.

Throughout his career, Lewis faced and defeated a who's who of heavyweight boxing, including Shannon Briggs, Andrew Golota, Michael Grant, David Tua, Mike Tyson, and Vitali Klitschko. His victories over Tyson in 2002 and Klitschko in 2003 cemented his legacy as one of the greatest heavyweights ever.

Lennox Lewis retired in 2003 with a record of 41 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, with 32 wins coming by knockout. He is one of only three heavyweight champions to have retired with victories over every opponent he faced as a professional. Lewis's unique combination of size, skill, and power made him a formidable opponent and a fan favourite.

In addition to his boxing achievements, Lewis has appeared in films, television shows, and video games. For his contributions to the sport, he has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, and the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.

After retiring from boxing, Lewis settled in Miami Beach with his wife, Violet Chang, and their three children. He remains involved in various charitable causes, including his foundation, which supports disadvantaged children in Canada, Jamaica, the United Kingdom, and the USA.