Legendary heavyweight Lennox Lewis surprisingly overlooked Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield when tasked with naming the hardest punching opponent he ever faced.
Lewis remains one of the highest-rated heavyweights of all time, proving his credentials on multiple occasions during his decorated professional boxing career.
The British-Canadian great captured world honours on several occasions during his tenure, including a reign as the undisputed heavyweight championship which he held in 1999 when he dethroned Holyfield of his WBA and IBF titles.
Lewis suffered just two defeats before his retirement in 2004, although he was able to avenge the losses that he suffered at the hands of both Hasim Rahman and Oliver McCall.
In an interview with The Ring Magazine, Lewis made no mistake in naming Shannon Briggs as the hardest puncher that he ever faced, an answer that may come as a surprise to those who may have expected it to be either Tyson or Holyfield.
“Shannon Briggs. He lacked endurance but Briggs certainly knew how to put his bodyweight behind a punch.
Unfortunately for him you need the full package when you face me so power isn’t enough. Fans may expect me to say McCall or Hasim Rahman for punching power but I basically set myself up against both of them.
I was surprised by Briggs’ hand speed. He was able to close the gap very quickly and that allowed him to get off the big punches. Sometimes you don’t realise how quick someone is until you’re in there.”
Known for his thunderous punching power, Briggs produced no less than 53 knockout victories during his career which culminated in him becoming the WBO world heavyweight champion when he defeated Siarhei Liakhovich in November of 2006.
‘The Cannon’ fell short in his attempt at dethroning Lewis of his WBC heavyweight title in 1998, suffering a fifth round stoppage to the former undisputed champion at the Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
