Lennox Lewis is in the heavyweight history books for all the right reasons, but who does he consider his peers?
The Olympic Gold Medalist turned pro in 1989 and became mandatory for the world title just three years later. He was upgraded to full champion after being unable to force a fight with undisputed Riddick Bowe, and made three successful defences before being shocked by Oliver McCall.
He switched coach to the legendary Emmanuel Steward and went on a run of 14 victories that included avenging that loss and winning the undisputed title. Then there was another upset defeat to Hasim Rahman in 2001, but Lewis reversed it in an immediate rematch and closed out his career with wins over Mike Tyson and Vitali Klitschko.
“There are so many guys out there that definitely belong in the same room as me,” said Lewis in an interview with The Schmo, before being pushed for three names that would sit on boxing’s Mount Rushmore alongside himself…
George Foreman
George Foreman‘s heavyweight campaign touched four decades, debuting in ’69, winning the world championship first in ’73 with an astounding knockout of previously-undefeated Joe Frazier before entering a decade-long retirement three years later. ‘Big’ George returned in ’87 and, in ’94, set a record as the oldest man to win the heavyweight title that is yet to be broken and may never be.
Muhammad Ali
An enigma inside and outside the ropes, Muhammad Ali was an icon not just of boxing or sports, but pop culture entire. Starting his career as Cassius Clay, the man from Louisville won the undisputed championship in 1974 and held it for four years. He was the star of the Thrilla in Manilla versus Joe Frazier and the Rumble in the Jungle against the man named above.
Jack Johnson
‘The Galveston Giant’ Jack Johnson had a total of 95 fights between 1897 and 1931. He was the first black world heavyweight champion and, like Ali years after him, his career was woven with culture and race defining incidents and statements.
Lennox Lewis
‘The Lion’ includes himself of course – only the third heavyweight champion in history to defeat every man he stepped in the ring with, albeit two of those being rematch wins after initial losses. The last undisputed heavyweight champion before current king Oleksandr Usyk, Lewis, with his terrific fundamentals and shuddering power, has as much of a case for the best of all time as the rest.
