British/Canadian · West Ham, London · Born 2 September 1965British-Canadian heavyweight boxer who became the last undisputed heavyweight champion of the 20th century, defeating Mike Tyson in 2002
Lennox Claudius Lewis was born in West Ham, London in 1965. He moved to Ontario, Canada as a child and competed for Canada at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, winning heavyweight gold. He turned professional and won the WBC heavyweight title in 1993. He lost it to Oliver McCall in 1994 — regained it in 1997. He unified all four major heavyweight titles in 1999 — the last undisputed heavyweight champion before the alphabet soup of organisations made this effectively impossible. He retired undefeated in his second championship reign. His analytical approach to boxing — nicknamed the Lion — was technically the most sophisticated heavyweight performance of his era.
Undisputed heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist
He is the only man to have stopped Mike Tyson — ending the reign of the man many considered unbeatable.
Did You Know?How They Played
Technical boxer-puncher with excellent jab and ring IQ
Lasting Impact
Last undisputed heavyweight champion of the 20th century
Career Honours
- Olympic Gold 1988
- Undisputed Heavyweight Champion 1999
- WBC Champion 2x
- IBF/WBA/WBC 1999-2003
British/Canadian Athletes