Archives

Tennessee, June 9 (Reuters) - With one devastating knockout victory over Mike Tyson Saturday, Lennox Lewis earned the respect he craved, the place in boxing history he has ached for and over $17 million.

So what's next for Britain's heavyweight world champion?

Perhaps retirement. Perhaps a rematch. Perhaps neither.

Basking in the afterglow of his emphatic eighth-round knockout win, Lewis was non-committal about his future, saying he would take time to revel in his victory and then announce his plans in a couple of weeks.

Asked directly if he could retire after an effort like the brilliant one he produced against Tyson, Lewis replied: "There's always the possibility."

During the long buildup to Saturday's fight, Lewis had stated he felt a victory over Tyson would cement his boxing legacy and leave little left for the 36-year-old to prove.

But given his stunning performance against Tyson, a jubilant Lewis gave every indication that he may not yet be finished with the ring.

"If the people want to see it again (a fight with Tyson), if they can't believe it the first time, there's always that possibility," said Lewis, after successfully defending his WBC and IBF crowns.

In the aftermath of the fight it was clear a huge weight had been lifted off Lewis's shoulders, the Briton believing he had finally earned the recognition and respect that had been continually denied him throughout his career, particularly in the United States.

The convincing win improves Lewis's record to 40-2-1 (31 knockouts) but more importantly the clinical and savagely impressive manner of the victory confirmed his place among the greatest heavyweights in boxing history.

"What more do you guys want me to do," questioned Lewis. "It's been a great, long road and I finally completed what I wanted to do.

"People kept asking me about my legacy. I'm just glad I was able to come through with a victory.

"It is my most defining fight, I went out there and did what I wanted to do.

"This particular fight I still had a lot of disbelievers out there and they had to see me against Mike Tyson before they would believe I was the best heavyweight fighter.

"Like I said it was a defining fight and it proved a lot of people wrong.

"I'm glad I've answered all the questions."

Lewis's longtime trainer Emanuel Steward said after the bout, which is expected to be the richest in boxing history generating revenues of between $125 and $150 million, that now his fighter can be considered alongside the great Muhammad Ali.

But more telling tributes were provided by Tyson and his trainers Ronnie Shields and Stacey McKinley.

Having insulted Lewis several times during the final days leading up to the fight, Shield and McKinley stepped forward Saturday and conceded that the Briton must now be considered among the fight greats.

"You're not just a good champ, you're a great champ, you really are," said Shields. "You're going to go down in history."

Added McKinley: "Tonight Lennox Lewis is great champion. I said before that he was a good fighter but in order to become a great fighter he had to beat a great fighter and he did that tonight.

"Lennox Lewis as of tonight, you are among the greats."

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager