Lennox Lewis is still one of the most famous boxers on the planet, despite having retired 20 years ago.
‘The Lion’ ended a successful amateur career with a gold medal in the 1988 Olympics and turned professional in 1989. He went on to have a total of 44 fights, winning 41 and having two upset losses to huge betting underdogs.
He was stopped by both Hasim Rahman and Oliver McCall in those but eventually avenged both with knockout wins of his own.
Despite being a big puncher, Lewis was perceived to have a number of flaws in his game, but those were ironed out after forming a legendary partnership with Detroit trainer Emanuel Steward, the man who had been in McCall’s corner for one of those upset losses.
After that he went on to knock out Mike Tyson in 2002 and ended his career with a win over Vitali Klitschko in a bloody fight that saw him retain his undisputed status, having also bested the likes of Evander Holyfield, Razor Ruddock and Shannon Briggs.
Lewis was the last man to be undisputed heavyweight champion until Oleksandr Usyk matched that feat back in May of this year.
Speaking to The Ring Magazine for their ‘Best I Ever Faced’ feature, he named who was the toughest challenge he faced in the paid ranks.
“[Evander] Holyfield was the best opponent I faced in my career.”
