By James Slater – Back in 2003, when two-time heavyweight king Lennox Lewis announced his retirement from the sport, there came with the announcement a promise to make the retirement stick. There would be no comeback, Lewis promised. So far, some seven years into his retirement, the 45-year-old has kept his word, even though he has been offered big money by the likes of Don King to break his vow and box again.
However, in an interview that has gone out in today’s issue of The Daily Mail, Lennox admits to feeling “tempted” to come back; primarily because he sees how other ageing big men are still fighting – men he has beaten in the past.
“Yes, it’s on my mind again,” Lewis told The Daily Mail with regards to him fighting again. “I am talking myself out of it but the temptation is growing. Definitely.”
According to the interesting article, Lewis felt the urge to make a return most strongly as he watched former KO victim Shannon Briggs get banged around for 12 one-sided rounds by former TKO victim and current WBC champ Vitali Klitschko a while back. That fight, or at least Briggs’ performance, was bad for boxing, Lewis says..
“Shannon has asthma and weight problems and that spectacle was damaging to boxing,” the former two-time champ said. “I’m in much better condition. When I see guys like Shannon and Hasim Rahman still fighting it does make me think. I’m only 45 (laughs). I can still be out there.
“Vitali’s still boxing, still holding a world title.”
It is indeed no wonder Lewis is tempted to fight again when he sees the current heavyweight landscape. Vitali is pushing 40, Rahman (who Lewis lost to and then beat in a 2001 return) is almost there and Briggs is 38; while former two-time foe Evander Holyfield is still battling away at almost 50! Also, if Lewis doesn’t make a ring return he will be the only former heavyweight king not to do so. At some point, from George Foreman to Mike Tyson, they all come back eventually.
And it is interesting that Lewis mentions how “Vitali is still boxing.” For the longest time, “Dr. Iron Fist” was all but obsessed with a rematch with Lewis; some people even felt Vitali made his 2008 comeback so as to entice Lennox to do the same. Is there a chance, if only a small one, that Lewis is considering the rematch all these years later? No doubt, Vitali would take it, and the fight would be a huge event, good or bad, for the sport.
As for Lewis claming to be in “much better condition” than Briggs: maybe he is; but the last time he made a TV appearance, Lewis appeared heavy and somewhat soft. Probably somewhere in the region of 280 to 290-pounds at a guess, Lewis could no doubt get the weight off if he wanted to.
In any case, SKY Sports viewers will this Saturday night get a chance to make up their own minds when it comes to Lennox’ current physical appearance, as the former Olympic gold medallist will be a studio expert for the hyped up David Haye-Audley Harrison bout.
Will the mid-ring action he sees in this fight also urge Lewis to come back and do it again?