Former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has had some of the division’s most impressive performances ever.
As one of the greatest heavyweights of all time, Lewis has defeated the likes of Mike Tyson, Vitali Klitschko, and Evander Holyfield.
With just two losses in his career, he avenged both of his defeats. ‘The Lion’ was able to get revenge over Hasim Rahman, thanks to Lewis getting advice from Nelson Mandela.
Also, despite losing to Oliver McCall in 1994, he was able to get revenge three years later.
However, his rematch with McCall may have not gone as many would have expected.
Lennox Lewis and Oliver McCall met for the first time in 1994
Lewis had a professional record of 25-0 when he met McCall in September of 1994. With a 24-5 record going into the fight, McCall was considered a sizeable underdog.
‘The Lion’ was looking to make his third title defense, having won the WBC World Heavyweight belt the previous year.
However, McCall would spoil the parry in Wembley, London.
Despite winning the opening round and looking comfortable, it was not to be for Lewis. A brutal right hand from McCall would put the champion down in the second round.
Although he was able to return to his feet, the referee deemed Lewis to be unfit to continue, and the bout was called off.
McCall would go on to defend his title against Larry Holmes in his next bout, before dropping the heavyweight belt to Frank Bruno in 1995.
However, Lewis and McCall would meet again in 1997 when the WBC World Heavyweight title became vacant.
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Oliver McCall broke into tears in his rematch with Lennox Lewis
Lewis and McCall would fight for the second time in 1997 when the heavyweights met in Las Vegas in February 1997.
Lewis would go into the fight off the back of four wins, while McCall was on a two-fight winning streak.
From the start of the fight, it seemed as if Lewis was going to be able to get revenge on his former opponent. Landing the better punches, it seemed as if McCall would lose the chance to reclaim his title.
However, an unlikely occurrence would come in round four.
Before the start of the round, McCall would bizarrely not return to his corner, to the dissatisfaction of his corner. The following round would see McCall stroll around the ring, barely throwing punches and not really defending himself.
The odd behavior would cause the referee to intervene, asking McCall if he wanted to continue to fight. Seemingly emotional, the fighter shook his head and the fight resumed.
Lewis was seemingly confused by the actions of his opponent, as he was tentative with his approach and did not apply pressure.
Eventually returning to his corner ahead of the fifth round, McCall was clearly very emotional, as he began crying.
McCall would fight the fifth round, however, was once again passive. After a few unanswered punches, the referee waved off the fight, declaring Lewis the winner.
McCall had had drug struggles prior to the bout, having gone through rehabilitation just before his rematch with Lewis. The fighter was understandably still in an emotional and vulnerable state as he fought for the heavyweight title.
However, despite the mental problems that McCall dealt with versus Lewis, he would continue his boxing career. He returned to the ring nine months later, winning by TKO.
Remarkably, ‘The Atomic Bull’ is still an active fighter. McCall won a fight in 2025 aged 59, which was his second win in three months.
It is also understood that McCall will step in the ring again, but it is unclear as to when.