Lennox Claudius Lewis (born September 2, 1965) in West Ham, London, England to Jamaican-born parents. Lewis moved to Kitchener, Ontario, Canada in 1977 at the age of 12. At the age of 18, Lewis represented Canada as a super heavyweight at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
He advanced to the quarter-finals, where he lost a decision to American Tyrell Biggs, the eventual gold medalist. Lewis chose not to turn professional after the Olympics, and instead fought four more years as an amateur, hoping for a second chance to win a gold medal. Finally in Seoul, South Korea for the 1988 Summer Olympics he achieved his goal. In the gold medal match, Lewis defeated future world champion Riddick Bowe by a second round technical knockout (TKO).
He captured the European heavyweight title late in 1990 against Frenchman Jean Maurice Chanet. In his next fight in March 1991, Lewis won the British title against the undefeated world ranked Gary Mason, then won the Commonwealth title in April 1992 against Derek Williams.
On 31 October 1992, Lewis knocked out Canadian Donovan “Razor” Ruddock in two rounds for the number one contender’s position in the WBC world rankings. At the time it was Lewis’ most impressive win, and established him as one of the world’s best heavyweights. On 14 December 1992, after Bowe refused to face Lewis, the WBC declared Lewis its champion, making him the first world heavyweight titleholder from Britain in the 20th century.
Lewis successfully defended the belt three times. In one of the strangest fights in boxing history, Oliver McCall refused to box Lewis in the fourth and fifth rounds, then began crying in the ring, forcing the referee to stop the fight and award Lewis the victory and the title.
Lewis went on to fight then IBF and WBF title holder Evander Holyfield twice. The first match resulted in a draw and second match with Lewis winning by decision, earning him the title of undisputed heavyweight champion of the World. On June 8, 2002, Lewis defended his title against Mike Tyson. He was knocked out in the eighth by a right hook from Lewis. After the fight was over, George Foreman declared “He [Lewis] is, no doubt, the best heavyweight of all time.”
Lennox Claudius Lewis (born September 2, 1965) in West Ham, London, England to Jamaican-born parents. Lewis moved to Kitchener, Ontario, Canada in 1977 at the age of 12. At the age of 18, Lewis represented Canada as a super heavyweight at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
He advanced to the quarter-finals, where he lost a decision to American Tyrell Biggs, the eventual gold medalist. Lewis chose not to turn professional after the Olympics, and instead fought four more years as an amateur, hoping for a second chance to win a gold medal. Finally in Seoul, South Korea for the 1988 Summer Olympics he achieved his goal. In the gold medal match, Lewis defeated future world champion Riddick Bowe by a second round technical knockout (TKO).
He captured the European heavyweight title late in 1990 against Frenchman Jean Maurice Chanet. In his next fight in March 1991, Lewis won the British title against the undefeated world ranked Gary Mason, then won the Commonwealth title in April 1992 against Derek Williams.
On 31 October 1992, Lewis knocked out Canadian Donovan “Razor” Ruddock in two rounds for the number one contender’s position in the WBC world rankings. At the time it was Lewis’ most impressive win, and established him as one of the world’s best heavyweights. On 14 December 1992, after Bowe refused to face Lewis, the WBC declared Lewis its champion, making him the first world heavyweight titleholder from Britain in the 20th century.
Lewis successfully defended the belt three times. In one of the strangest fights in boxing history, Oliver McCall refused to box Lewis in the fourth and fifth rounds, then began crying in the ring, forcing the referee to stop the fight and award Lewis the victory and the title.
Lewis went on to fight then IBF and WBF title holder Evander Holyfield twice. The first match resulted in a draw and second match with Lewis winning by decision, earning him the title of undisputed heavyweight champion of the World. On June 8, 2002, Lewis defended his title against Mike Tyson. He was knocked out in the eighth by a right hook from Lewis. After the fight was over, George Foreman declared “He [Lewis] is, no doubt, the best heavyweight of all time.” 
