why did Lennox Lewis turn professional under the British banner ?

Money.

 

Damn right G. :smoke

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbuisIfAtuQ[/ame]

 

Good question by Unforgiven

IMO, its money and recognition

 

i love my country and i bleed my hometown but canada is **** for supporting it's athletes. Unless you play hockey, don't expect any money. Even then, don't expect really good money unless your name is gretzky or crosby.

olympic gold means a lot of national pride but almost zero endorsements or national support

 

This has to be true. Obviously Rusedski changed nationalities during the 90's and I once saw and interview with Donovan Bailey where he stated he considered doing the same for funding issues.

The answer seems to be $$$$$

 

Plain and simple for the money and UK exposure - boxing was big bucks back in the late 80's and early 90's in the UK , SKY ( satellite tv ) was in it's infancy as you will well know,saw to that.

 

I think Bruno was a good barometer for Lewis if he was embraced by the people, which he really wasnt until ate in his career.

 

Cash
Rules
Everything
Around
Me

Cream get the money, dolla dolla bill y'all

 

I remember seeing something about this on Lewis's 'behind the glory' episode i think. It wasn't only the money but the amount of control he had which he wouldn't have been able to make with any other promoter.

If i remember correct Lewis kept 70% of everything earned plus the 30% of the money the promoters did make included them having to pay for his rent, training expenses, and a salary for his mother and Lewis also had total control over his training camp, people surrounding him and opponents he fought. Him and the Klychko's are probably the most 'in charge' of any HW Champs i can think of.

 

^^^

Yep.... Lewis got a big signing on fee, and 70% of the boxing revenue went straight to him, and of the remaining 30% he got what was left once his training expenses, sparring partners, manager etc had been paid.

Realistically, that ought to be the case for every fighter, after all it's them getting punched in the face.

It was a forerunner to the ridiculous deals that amateurs in Britain are getting now, James DeGale is on £100k a fight guaranteed - I think he got double that for the Groves fight. So a four rounder against a scrub and you get £100k, Ricky Burns makes a world title defence and probably gets half that.

 

Britain was absolutely desperate for a world heavyweight champion back then. He would have earned much more over here than anywhere else.

 

Absolutely. Lewis was essentially a Canadian fighter. He learned to box in Canada. He fought in two Olympics for Canada, in 84 and 88, winning gold for Canada. He moved to Great Britain for financial reasons. But all of his claims about being British and trying to wrap himself in the British flag made many feel like he was fake, which I think actually hurt his marketability and fan base. Folks knew he was a true Canadian and only suddenly engaged in all that British talk once he turned pro. So they didn't feel he was on the real. I think he should have toned it down and gradually embraced the British angle, rather than so blatantly trying to make hay out of it and force it, making it way too obvious. Also, he should have acknowledged Canada more often. Would have made him seem like more of a genuine person than a b.s. artist.

 

There was an American offer but it was less than the British offer. Lets face it Lewis was a Jamaican Canadian