Lennox Lewis is recognised as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time.
‘The Lion’ lost just twice in a 44-fight career that spanned 14-years, holding the undisputed heavyweight championship between 1999 and 2000. Lewis avenged his only two career defeats against Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman, meaning he effectively defeated every man he ever faced.
Despite facing a number of legendary heavyweights, including the likes of Mike Tyson, Vitali Klitschko, Shannon Briggs, and Frank Bruno, the 59-year-old has named the one man who gave him his toughest test of all.
In an interview with Froch On Fighting, Lewis revealed two-weight undisputed champion Evander Holyfield the toughest opponent of his illustrious career.
“My toughest opponent? I’m gonna have to say Evander Holyfield.”
‘The Lion’ faced Holyfield twice in the space of eight months. They fought to a very close draw in March 1999, with their rematch taking place in November of the same year. Lewis prevailed in their second meeting at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, picking up a unanimous decision victory over ‘The Real Deal’ to capture the vacant WBA and IBF heavyweight titles.
Lewis would go on to fight seven more times after defeating Holyfield, suffering just one defeat at the hands of Hasim Rahman in 2001. He avenged this defeat seven months later, knockout out Rahman in the fifth round to regain the WBC and IBF titles.
‘The Lion’ retired from boxing shortly after defeating Vitali Klitschko in his 44th and final professional outing, stopping the Ukrainian in the sixth round of their showdown at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
