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Lennox Lewis in Canada photo by -nikkon- – Flickr: Lewis-

10 Things You Might Not Know About Legendary Boxer Lennox Lewis

One of Boxing’s greatest heavyweights, Lennox Lewis is one of the best if not the best boxers from Britain. Rapidly rising through the ranks, Lewis quickly established himself as a household name in the ring during the 80s and 90s era. His in-ring accomplishments and records go beyond human beings’ imaginations and he has been phenomenal both inside and outside the ring as seen by his ventures in helping out the needy. 

He was a boxing maestro, with 44 total fights achieving 41 victories 32 by knockouts, one draw and only 2 losses, Lewis curved his name and earned a place in history as one of the best to ever step in the ring. Below are 10 things you might not know about the legendary boxer.

1. Lennox is of Jamaican descent

Lennox Lewis is an English professional boxer who was born on September 2, 1965, in West Ham, London, to Jamaican Parents Violet Lewis and Carlton Brooks. Lewis moved to Canada with his mother and resided in Kitchener, Ontario. He went back to England and lived with his extended family before returning to Canada to be raised by his mother when he was twelve years old.

In high school, he attended Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute, where he excelled in Canadian football, soccer, and basketball. He was a member of the school’s AAA basketball team that won the Ontario provincial title in 1982-83.

2. He represented Canada in the super-heavyweight division at the 1984 Summer Olympics

Canadian team entering Olympics’ Opening Ceremony photo by US Army World Class Athlete Program –

Lewis decided that boxing was his favourite sport. He began boxing in 1978. He rose to prominence as a powerful amateur boxer, winning gold at the Junior World Championships in 1983. Lewis competed in the super-heavyweight division for Canada at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles when he was just 18 years old. The AIBA had placed him sixth in the world at the time.

He made it to the quarter-finals before losing by a decision to Tyrell Biggs of the United States, who went on to win the gold medal. Despite being 6’5″ tall and packing a powerful punch, his instructors claimed that they had to put pressure on him to turn his stature and natural skill into ferocity.

3. He’s the first super-heavyweight gold medalist to become a world heavyweight champion

Lennox Lewis photo by Geo Swan –

He travelled to Seoul, South Korea, for the 1988 Summer Olympics and accomplished his objective after taking home numerous more amateur trophies over the years. Lewis defeated Riddick Bowe in the gold medal match following a second-round stoppage match that was stopped by the referee.

Lewis became the first super-heavyweight gold medalist to become a world heavyweight champion as a professional. Lewis carried the Canadian flag at the closing ceremony of the Games. In 56 years, Lewis became the first Canadian to win a boxing gold medal. 

Check out the best black boxers of all time by clicking here. 

4. Lennox made his professional boxing debut win in 1989

In 1989, Lewis travelled back to his native England to further his professional career. Having gone unbeaten in his first 22 professional contests, he was allowed to compete for the heavyweight championship against Bowe. Lewis, who stood 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 230 pounds, was unusually enormous for a boxer, and his bulk presented unique challenges for the typical heavyweight.

Unsurprisingly, Bowe and his management went after profitable fights with weaker opposition. Bowe’s title was taken away by the WBC, who then gave it to Lewis. Lewis successfully defended the title three times until falling to American Oliver McCall in a shocker in London.

5. He’s the last heavyweight to hold the undisputed championship 

WBC Heavyweight Champion belt photo by Brain66677888 –

Lennox Lewis, who defeated Evander Holyfield to win the WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight belts in 1999, is the last heavyweight to have held the undisputed championship during the three-belt period. He held the undisputed championship until April 2000, when he was stripped of it because he chose to face the WBC No. 1 challenger rather than the WBA No. 1 contender John Ruiz.

The Holyfield/Lewis rematch contract had a condition requiring him to face the WBA No. 1 contender. Ruiz won the case, and the judge’s judgment was upheld in court.

6. Lewis was awarded the CBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2002

Lewis received recognition in 2002 when Queen Elizabeth II bestowed upon him the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in recognition of his contributions to boxing. Just one step below knighthood, the CBE is a prestigious honour for a citizen of the United Kingdom. This former heavyweight champion was also given the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in addition to the CBE.

Read more about 10 of the most famous British boxers of all time.

7. He defeated Mike Tyson by knockout in the eighth round in 2002

Boxer Mike Tyson in the ring at Las Vegas, Nevada, ca. October 2006. photo by Octal@Flickr –

Lewis defended his title against Mike Tyson on 8 June 2002. The bout was boxing’s biggest event at that period and a large crowd turned up to witness it even though the tickets were quite pricey. The bout was hosted at the Pyramid Arena in Memphis, Tennessee this coming shortly after it was announced to be held in las Vegas, but due to Tyson’s licensing shortcomings, the bid was rejected. Memphis was finally able to land by bidding for US$ 12 million.

Tyson was exhausted before the seventh round with eyes cut accompanying a swollen face. Lewis knocked him out in the eighth round by delivering a perfectly timed right cross. The fight between Lewis and Tyson was the highest-grossing event in pay-per-view history before the record was surpassed by Mayweather versus Oscar De La Hoya in 2007.

Check out these amazing facts about the Legendary Mike Tyson.

8. He retired from boxing in 2004

Lewis’s last match was against Vitali Klitschko in Los Angeles, on 21 June 2003, where Lewis triumphed over Vitali. He announced his retirement shortly thereafter on February 6, 2004, resigning from the WBC and IBF titles to pursue other interests thus vacating the titles.

Lewis affirmed that he would not return to the ring anytime. At his retirement, his record stood at 41 wins, two losses and one draw, with 32 wins by way of knockout. Lewis became the first heavyweight champion to quit as a world champion.

9. Lewis was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2008

Lennox Lewis at Ces photo sourced from

Lewis is a 2008 Canada Sports Hall of Fame, an inductee. He was subsequently inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Council’s Hall of Fame. He was also got an induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2009.

10. Lennox beat 15 boxers for the world heavyweight title

By defeating 15 boxers for the world heavyweight title, Lewis holds the record for the fifth-most bouts in history. He reigns as a heavyweight champion and ranks as the fourth-cumulative time spent as the world heavyweight champion. He holds the record of the twelfth-longest reign in heavyweight championship history by retaining the title for four years, two months and fifteen days.

Be sure to check out this list of the richest boxers of all time.