Former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has shared the ring with some of boxing’s greatest, including ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson in 2002.
Lewis bowed out of the sport in 2003, retiring as the IBO and WBC World Heavyweight champion. His final bout would be a TKO victory over Vitali Klitschko, following his Tyson meeting.
Retiring with a professional record of 41-2, Lewis is considered one of the best heavyweight boxers of all time.
His highest-profile win was when he came up against Tyson, who was fighting at the end of his career. However, it was one of the finest performances ‘The Lion’ has ever put on.
Lennox Lewis was surprised to hear what his coach said about Mike Tyson
Speaking to Ring Magazine about his Tyson fight, Lewis shared what his coach thought about the fight prior to the two meeting.
“Emmanuel Stewart said that [the fight vs Tyson] would be my easiest fight and I didn’t believe him. I always thought every fight is hard.”
Although Lewis didn’t add how easy or otherwise he felt the bout with Tyson was, he said, “I was prepared for that fight, let’s say.”
Lewis would win his fight against Tyson via an eighth-round knockout, after leading for the majority of the bout.
A fatigued Tyson would eventually succumb to the pressure of Lewis, as a venomous right hand would spell the end of the fight.
Tyson would go on to have four fights after his bout with Lewis. Winning his next fight against Clifford Etienne, the following three bouts would end in defeat, including a loss to Jake Paul in 2024.
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Lennox Lewis on his relationship with Mike Tyson
Speaking to HOT 97 in 2016, Lewis reflected on his relationship with his former opponent Tyson.
Before their meeting in 2002, the two were brought together as young fighters, engaging in a sparring match.
“He tried to beat the hell out of me,” Lewis said about Tyson. “I put on my Muhammad Ali routine and started dancing around.”
Lewis also shared a story of Tyson putting his hands down, welcoming free punches from his sparring partner. After Lewis hit him twice, Lewis said that Cus D’Amato, Tyson’s coach, said, “Mike! Don’t you do that. You’re going to fight this guy someday.”
Although he was at once stage concerned a professional fight would never happen between the two, Lewis did say he was glad to have fought Tyson.
Despite facing Tyson, Lewis named another fighter as the hardest puncher he ever faced in his career.