Lennox Lewis: The Life and Career of an Undefeated Boxing Champion
Early Life and Career
Lennox Lewis was born on September 2, 1965, in London, England. He began boxing at the age of 12 and quickly rose through the ranks, winning the ABA heavyweight championship in 1986. In 1988, he represented Canada at the Olympic Games in Seoul, winning a gold medal in the heavyweight division.
After the Olympics, Lewis turned professional and quickly established himself as one of the top heavyweight contenders in the world. He won his first 12 professional fights, including a victory over former world champion Mike Tyson in 2002.
World Heavyweight Champion
In 1993, Lewis finally won the world heavyweight championship, defeating Riddick Bowe in a unanimous decision. He defended his title successfully five times before losing it to Oliver McCall in 1994.
Lewis regained the title in 1997, defeating McCall in a rematch. He then defended his title successfully nine times before retiring in 2003.
Legacy
Lennox Lewis is considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. He retired with a record of 41-2-1, with 32 of his wins coming by knockout. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003.
Personal Life
Lennox Lewis is married to Violet Chang and has four children. He is a devout Christian and is involved in several charitable organizations.
Accomplishments
- Olympic gold medalist (1988)
- World heavyweight champion (1993, 1997-2003)
- Undefeated professional record (41-2-1)
- Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (2003)
Quotes
- "I'm not in this sport to be a role model. I'm in this sport to win championships." - Lennox Lewis
- "Boxing is a tough sport, but it's also a fair sport. If you're willing to work hard and dedicate yourself, you can achieve anything." - Lennox Lewis
- "I'm a boxer first and foremost. But I'm also a businessman and a family man. I'm proud of everything I've accomplished in my life, and I'm looking forward to what the future holds." - Lennox Lewis
