NO. 7 LENNOX LEWIS
Record: 41-2-1 (32 KOs)
Years active: 1989-2003
Title reigns: Three (1992-94; ’97-2001; ’01-04)
Among his victims: Donovan Ruddck, Frank Bruno, Ray Mercer, Andrew Golota, Evander Holyfield, David Tua, Mike Tyson, Vitali Klitschko
Background: Lewis was a man of several countries but of singular ability. The strapping, 6-foot-5 Jamaican-Canadian-Englishman was destined for greatness from a relatively early age, having competed in the 1984 Olympics as a 17-year-old and then winning gold four years later for Canada. And he maintained the momentum as a pro. He won his first title by outpointing the resilient Tony Tucker in 1993 and remained at or near the top of the division until his retirement. He lost his title twice by surprising, one-punch knockouts against Oliver McCall and then Hasim Rahman but rebounded to stop both men in brutal fashion. In the end, he beat every man he faced. His most-hyped fight was probably his long-awaited 2002 showdown with an aging Mike Tyson, who fell victim to the bigger man’s ability and prodigious power in the eighth round. Lewis stopped a surprisingly tough Vitali Klitschko in his next fight and never fought again. He was arguably the greatest British heavyweight ever.