Lennox Lewis

Lennox Lewis is a Canadian-British former professional boxer, born on September 2, 1965, in West Ham, London. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time. Lewis began his professional career in 1989 and retired in 2003. During his career, Lewis won multiple world heavyweight championship titles.

Lewis is known for his strength, boxing IQ, defensive ability, and versatility. He has won numerous individual awards, including the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, and holds multiple records, such as being a three-time world heavyweight champion.

Off the ring, Lewis is also recognized for his philanthropy and influence, making significant charitable contributions and inspiring millions worldwide.

Amateur Career

• Early Career: Lewis was born in London, England, and moved to Canada as a child. He began boxing at the age of 12 and won the world junior title in 1983.
• Olympics: Lewis represented Canada in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, winning a gold medal in the latter.

Professional Career

• Early Success: Lewis turned professional in 1989. He won the British heavyweight title in his 14th fight and the European title in his 15th.
• World Champion: Lewis was awarded the WBC heavyweight title in 1992 when Riddick Bowe vacated it. He lost and regained the title in fights with Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman.
• Undisputed Champion: Lewis became the undisputed heavyweight champion in 1999 by defeating Evander Holyfield.
• Retirement: Lewis retired in 2003, having defeated every opponent he faced.

N/A

• Style: Known for his calculated and strategic approach in the ring. Lewis is celebrated for his versatility, powerful punches, and defensive ability.

• Family: Lewis is married to Violet Chang and they have four children.
• Philanthropy: Lewis is involved in various charitable activities and has donated significant sums to children's hospitals, cancer research, and disaster relief efforts.

• Lennox Lewis is celebrated not only for his extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for his work ethic, determination, and longevity in professional boxing. His impact on the sport and his status as an icon extend beyond the ring, inspiring millions of fans around the world.

Three-time World Heavyweight Champion:

• WBC, IBF, and IBO titles

Olympic Gold Medal:

• 1988 Seoul Olympics

Most Title Defenses:

• Defended his title 14 times

First British World Heavyweight Champion in the 20th Century:

• Won the WBC title in 1992

Books

• Lennox Lewis: The Autobiography. London: Century Publishing.
• McRae, D. (2002) Dark Trade: Lost in Boxing. Mainstream Publishing.

Websites

• BoxRec: Information about Lennox Lewis’s career and achievements. Available at: https://www.boxrec.com
• ESPN: Details about Lewis’s career. Available at: https://www.espn.com
• World Boxing Council: Official site with updates on Lewis’s performance and records. Available at: https://www.wbcboxing.com

Articles

• BBC Sport: Lennox Lewis: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/46916071
• The Guardian: Lennox Lewis’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/lennoxlewis

Interviews and Documentaries

• Lennox: The Untold Story (2020): This documentary provides a detailed look at Lewis’s life and career, featuring interviews with his family, friends, and colleagues.
• ESPN Interviews: Various interviews and features on Lennox Lewis, covering different aspects of his career. Available at: https://www.espn.com