Lennox Lewis

[SosaFC]

Says he will come back if offered .... $100 Million .. is this guy nuts ..

Lennox Lewis, Britain's former undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion, has admitted that he is prepared to make a sensational $100 million comeback. Rumours of a return were rife in boxing last week after his former trainer, Emanuel Steward, and his last opponent, Vitali Klitschko, claimed 43-year-old Lewis was back in the gym.

Who can blame Lewis for wanting to return when boxing is in such a state? Lewis has now admitted the rumours are true, depending on the right deal being struck with promoters.

Speaking from his home in Jamaica, Lewis told me: 'If someone wants to pay me serious money, $100m or so, then I will fight again. I don't have to do this, I don't need the money and my legacy speaks for itself. But boxing needs me. The heavyweight game is so boring now. All the characters are gone. I would like to save my sport.'

Lewis, 18st 4lb in his last fight but now thought to weigh more than 20st, insisted that he could be ready 'in six months' and he revealed that the biggest offer he has received since retiring has been 'around $40m'.

Lewis said: 'It would have to be nearer $100m to make me say yes, but there are people out there who can get that kind of money together. There are a lot of people who would pay to see me fight again. It would be exciting, for the sport and for me.
And if I come back, it will be to win, not play.' Lewis vowed never to box again after he quit in June, 2003, following a victory over Klitschko when the referee intervened in the sixth round with the Ukrainian badly cut.

Lewis says he has changed his mind after seeing recent heavyweight fights, including Klitschko's own comeback last month at the age of 37 when he reclaimed the WBC title by defeating Nigerian Samuel Peter.

'They have been so dull and one-sided. I couldn't believe what I was watching,' said Lewis. He insisted that his motivation for coming out of retirement was to restore credibility to his sport. 'Boxers usually come back or continue fighting for two reasons,' he said. 'Either the atmosphere of the crowd or the money. Me? I don't need either, I'm happy as I am. But I think the sport needs me and I love my sport. And I don't like seeing it the way it is. '
Lewis lost twice in his 44-fight career, to Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman, but both times he fought his opponents again and beat them. He retired having beaten everyone put in front of him, a record that understandably gives him pride.

'I think I was a great champion,' he said. 'But my achievements will be recognised more in years to come. My legacy is growing. I was the last of the great heavyweights, the pugilist specialist. I beat everyone there was to beat, I went back and beat the only two guys to beat me, and I retired after a victory at the end, which only Marciano and Tunney did.

'In both cases that I lost, they threw great shots and I was caught off-guard. I made little mistakes and in the heavyweight boxing game that can get you knocked out. But if you can come back from that, then that's what makes you a real champion.' Klitschko, speaking earlier in the week, said he would welcome a Lewis comeback. 'I heard he is thinking about it. If Lennox announces an official decision, that would be great,' he said. 'I have shown him a good example. I made my comeback after four years and took the world title. 'The fight [against Lewis] was stopped because I had a huge cut over my eye, but I was ready to beat Lennox. 'Steward, who trained Lewis throughout his heyday, feels a return to the ring to fight Klitschko would be welcome. 'I'd love to see them finish those last six rounds,' he said.
'There's unfinished business.'

 

[kinkladze96]

david haye would be a good fight. fill wembley and if haye won could be a long time champion. if he beats a klitchko or two.

 

[SosaFC]

True .. Haye needs to fight atleast one if not both Klitschkho's .. wrap up the heavy weight division and his last fight as he has said he only wants a few at HW could be against LL ...

Now if LL is serious, he could start preparing now, give himself atleast a year, have a couple of shitty fights and then get in the ring with Haye in 2010 .. but by that time LL will be 44/45 .. not much credibility in beating a 45 yr old .. who at best will last a few rounds .. but it will be one massive payday for him .. he doesn't need the money, so doesn't make sense to me ..

2-3 yrs ago yes .. not now ..

 

[blusmiff]

david haye has no chance against the klitchko bros, he is way to small. lewis would kick his arse easily, he needs to fight at his own weight if he wants to be a long time champ. i think he is a fool to even think about it.

 

[Dubai Blue]

He insisted that his motivation for coming out of retirement was to restore credibility to his sport.

I fail to see how a 43-year old coming out of retirement after 6 years to fight for the world title restores ANY credibility to the sport. In fact, it would do the exact opposite and show up the heavyweight division for the joke it has become.

 

[Dogtanian]

what he said is that he will come back after the klitsko brothers fight each other, knowing that it will never happen

 

[Thanx4Knives]

He insisted that his motivation for coming out of retirement was to restore credibility to his sport.

I fail to see how a 43-year old coming out of retirement after 6 years to fight for the world title restores ANY credibility to the sport. In fact, it would do the exact opposite and show up the heavyweight division for the joke it has become.

Exactly, the governing body also needs to protect these player from themselves and they're obvious greed e.g Evander Holyfield is making a come back at 46 despite already have slow stuttering speech, he will end up really hurt!!

 

[audiodave08]

He insisted that his motivation for coming out of retirement was to restore credibility to his sport.

I fail to see how a 43-year old coming out of retirement after 6 years to fight for the world title restores ANY credibility to the sport. In fact, it would do the exact opposite and show up the heavyweight division for the joke it has become.

Exactly, the governing body also needs to protect these player from themselves and they're obvious greed e.g Evander Holyfield is making a come back at 46 despite already have slow stuttering speech, he will end up really hurt!!

did u stay up to watch the hatton fight?

 

[brass neck]

LL would beat them all now, the division is a joke they couldnt get passed his jab then and they wouldnt now!!!

 

[Thanx4Knives]

Yeah I did it wouldnt work on Sky so just found a stream for it fuckin nackered now!

 

[Bigga]

david haye has no chance against the klitchko bros, he is way to small. lewis would kick his arse easily, he needs to fight at his own weight if he wants to be a long time champ. i think he is a fool to even think about it.

No one besides you lot have mentioned Haye/ Lewis. As for being 'too small', Tyson wasn't the tallest and Holyfield wasn't the heaviest.

 

[Dogtanian]

david haye has no chance against the klitchko bros, he is way to small. lewis would kick his arse easily, he needs to fight at his own weight if he wants to be a long time champ. i think he is a fool to even think about it.

No one besides you lot have mentioned Haye/ Lewis. As for being 'too small', Tyson wasn't the tallest and Holyfield wasn't the heaviest.

but they both had great chins

 

[Corky]

He insisted that his motivation for coming out of retirement was to restore credibility to his sport.

I fail to see how a 43-year old coming out of retirement after 6 years to fight for the world title restores ANY credibility to the sport. In fact, it would do the exact opposite and show up the heavyweight division for the joke it has become.

Exactly, the governing body also needs to protect these player from themselves and they're obvious greed e.g Evander Holyfield is making a come back at 46 despite already have slow stuttering speech, he will end up really hurt!!

Bowe is back too in December. I wonder if Andrew Golata is still turning up at the gym?

Lewis doesn't need the money, most of the others do.

 

[Bigga]

david haye has no chance against the klitchko bros, he is way to small. lewis would kick his arse easily, he needs to fight at his own weight if he wants to be a long time champ. i think he is a fool to even think about it.

No one besides you lot have mentioned Haye/ Lewis. As for being 'too small', Tyson wasn't the tallest and Holyfield wasn't the heaviest.

but they both had great chins

And Haye has speed and a puncher's chance! Ask Lewis about fighters with puncher's chances.

I'm sure he could enlighten you on the subject...

 

[Corky]

Lewis only lost when he got sloppy against shite fighters, the refs never helped him either stopping the fight after he got up straight away and was okay to carry on.

Haye should be fighting the likes of Harrison, Wlad would destroy him.

 

[Bigga]

Lewis only lost when he got sloppy against shite fighters, the refs never helped him either stopping the fight after he got up straight away and was okay to carry on.

Haye should be fighting the likes of Harrison, Wlad would destroy him.

That's where I think you're wrong. Wlad has never come across as anything special. Haye has just as much a chance to knock him out as Wlad has of winning on points.

 

[Corky]

Wlad is a proven champ at his weight and Haye is a complete novice. Wlads wins the vast majority of his fights with stoppages, he does not rely on decisions.

The statements from Hayes' camp about "either brother" would do are a bit daft as Vitali is even better and never been counted out or beaten on points.

 

[Bigga]

Wlad is a proven champ at his weight and Haye is a complete novice. Wlads wins the vast majority of his fights with stoppages, he does not rely on decisions.

The statements from Hayes' camp about "either brother" would do are a bit daft as Vitali is even better and never been counted out or beaten on points.

Remember, the quality of the opponent matters with all these 'stoppages'. I know you can only fight who's in front of you, but as 'Magic Man' proved last night(and Hatton with Mayweather), if the quality of your opponent goes up, it's a different beast you're tested with, despite all the 'stoppages'.

i.e., it counts for nought.

 

[Corky]

Wlad is a proven champ at his weight and Haye is a complete novice. Wlads wins the vast majority of his fights with stoppages, he does not rely on decisions.

The statements from Hayes' camp about "either brother" would do are a bit daft as Vitali is even better and never been counted out or beaten on points.

Remember, the quality of the opponent matters with all these 'stoppages'. I know you can only fight who's in front of you, but as 'Magic Man' proved last night(and Hatton with Mayweather), if the quality of your opponent goes up, it's a different beast you're tested with, despite all the 'stoppages'.

i.e., it counts for nought.

This would apply more so to Haye at Heaveyweight. He knocked Monte down 6 times or so and he got up no probs 5 of them, he was on the deck twice himself, but one the ref signalled no knock down for. He is the heaveyweight Amir Khan for me.

Early days yet he has moved up for the money, not because he is better suited to heavey.

 

[Bigga]

Wlad is a proven champ at his weight and Haye is a complete novice. Wlads wins the vast majority of his fights with stoppages, he does not rely on decisions.

The statements from Hayes' camp about "either brother" would do are a bit daft as Vitali is even better and never been counted out or beaten on points.

Remember, the quality of the opponent matters with all these 'stoppages'. I know you can only fight who's in front of you, but as 'Magic Man' proved last night(and Hatton with Mayweather), if the quality of your opponent goes up, it's a different beast you're tested with, despite all the 'stoppages'.

i.e., it counts for nought.

This would apply more so to Haye at Heaveyweight. He knocked Monte down 6 times or so and he got up no probs 5 of them, he was on the deck twice himself, but one the ref signalled no knock down for. He is the heaveyweight Amir Khan for me.

Early days yet he has moved up for the money, not because he is better suited to heavey.

You should know the first 'knock down' was a push or a slip. Can't remember which. And when it comes to weight ratio, when going up, you don't always level out til you've been consistant at the weight.

Again, Hatton proved this when fighting at a higher weight. Even he said he wasn't used to it, but the next fight he felt 'stronger'.

Don't make the mistake of going by that one fight against Barrett. That would be ignorance on your part. I'm assuming he'll have another fight before a title fight and we'll see where he is then.