Lennox Lewis, a British-Canadian boxer, embarked on a remarkable professional career after achieving amateur success, including a gold medal-winning performance at the 1988 Seoul Olympics where he knocked out Riddick Bowe. Lewis's 1992 victory over Donnovan Ruddock showcased his skills, earning recognition among the heavyweight ranks. As a citizen of both England and Canada, Lewis was initially denied a shot at the world heavyweight title by Bowe, who refused to grant him a title fight and instead tossed the WBC title in a garbage bin.
The WBC commission subsequently stripped Bowe of the title, crowning Lewis as the new WBC champion. Lewis went on to defend his title against several top contenders until his defeat by Oliver McCall in 1994. With the guidance of new trainer Emanuel Steward, Lewis rebounded, dominating the heavyweight division and eventually recapturing the vacant WBC title by defeating McCall in a rematch.
Lewis's remarkable journey continued as he became the undisputed world champion by defeating Evander Holyfield in a rematch on November 13, 1999. However, the WBA belt was stripped from Lewis due to promoter Don King's underhanded tactics. Lewis continued to defend his title against mandatory challengers while issuing challenges to reluctant contenders like Mike Tyson.
Invited by Nelson Mandela to fight in Johannesburg, South Africa, Lewis faced Hasim Rahman and suffered one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. Undeterred, Lewis secured a rematch with Rahman and reclaimed his title. He also faced Mike Tyson and defeated him in eight rounds, showcasing his resilience and determination throughout his illustrious career.
