Lennox Lewis still haunted by Vitali Klitschko

By Boxing News - 03/29/2012 - Comments

Image: Lennox Lewis still haunted by Vitali KlitschkoBy John F. McKenna (McJack): Back in 2003 undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis (41-2-1, 32 KO’s) received a huge scare when he took on current World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (44-2, 40 KO’s). At the time “Dr. Ironfist” was a little known heavyweight contender who took the fight with Lewis on short notice. It was Vitali’s first fight on the world stage and it was thought that Lennox would handle him with relative ease.

Both the boxing fans at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and the millions who watched the fight on HBO were surprised at the competitiveness of the fight. There was a sense at the pre fight stare down that Klitschko was going to be far more than just another challenger. You could also sense that Vitali’s riveting stare made Lewis uneasy. From the outset of the fight it was evident that Lewis was in for more than he bargained for and Klitschko succeeded in getting the best of the early going.

In the 3rd round however a hard right by Lewis landed on Klitschko’s left eye causing a horrific cut to be opened. The cut was so severe that it was clear that ultimately the fight would have to be stopped, which it was in the 6th round. At the time of the stoppage Vitali had a 4 to 2 edge in rounds on all three score cards.

Prior to the Klitschko fight Lewis at nearly 38 years of age had been telling members of the press that he would fight for many more years, and that just like fine wine he was getting better with age. After the scare he received in the fight he promised Vitali that he would give him a rematch.

What was particularly galling to Lennox was HBO commenter Jim Lampley’s post fight comment that while Lewis won the fight, Klitschko won the event. The unkindest cut of all for Lennox was that he was booed by the crowd at the Staples Center, who had been won over by Vitali’s performance. That hurt still remains after nearly nine years.

Lennox Lewis was indeed a great heavyweight champion who would have performed well against any of the past greats in boxing history, including in this writer’s opinion Muhammad Ali. Lewis at 6’5” and 250 pounds moved exceedingly well for a big man and was a dominant champion. His right uppercut was one of the most devastating punches this writer has ever seen. It is true that Lewis suffered two KO losses in his career, but it is also true that he avenged both losses.

It is possible that something Lewis experienced in his fight with Klitschko told him not to take him on again. It may very well have been Vitali’s strength. But it also may have been the right uppercut he landed when Klitschko did not budge. It has to be disheartening to land your very best punch and your opponent doesn’t blink.

In any case the Klitschko fight appears to have left long lasting scars for Lewis and after nine years those scars have not healed.

What is most telling is Lewis willingness to give advice to Klitschko’s opponents on how to defeat him, most recently David Haye. And most embarrassing for Lewis is the story leaked by Vitali Klitschko himself of the meeting between the two in which Lennox’s mother nixed a rematch.



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