Special feature: Greatest heavyweights of the modern era – Page 8

LENNOX LEWIS
Years active: 1989-2003
Record: 41-2-1 (32 KOs)
Championship reign(s): 1992-94; 1997-2001; 2001-04
Biggest victories: Donovan Ruddock, Tony Tucker, Frank Bruno, Tommy Morrison, Oliver McCall, Andrew Golota, Evander Holyfield, David Tua, Hasim Rahman, Mike Tyson, Vitali Klitschko
Biggest losses: McCall, Rahman
Background: Lewis came out of the 1988 Olympics with a gold medal and unlimited promise. He didn’t disappoint, ultimately beating every man he fought. The Jamaican-Canadian-Briton had it all – size (6-foot-5 and ripped), athleticism, one-punch knockout power and ring smarts – as well as an all-time great trainer, Emanuel Steward. It’s no wonder he became a three-time titleholder over a cumulative span of about eight years. His 13 successful defenses overall is tied for No. 5 all time. Lewis slipped up a few times, losing by knockout to Oliver McCall (1994) and Hasim Rahman (2001). However, he turned the tables on both fighters in rematches, scoring vicious knockouts himself in the rematches. He also outpointed fellow Hall of Famer Evander Holyfield in their rematch after a controversial split-division draw the first time around. He stopped an over-the-hill Mike Tyson in his penultimate fight and then did the same to Vitali Klitschko, who couldn’t go on because of a gruesome cut, before calling it quits.