Lewis was in his prime and wanted 2 to 3 more fights after Vitali. If it wasn't for Vitali Lewis would be fighting until age 41-42 just like Vitali.
atsch But maybe you're not the biggest idiot here, I think we've all been bigger idiots than you for not just putting you on our ignore list. Now I can be enlightened. This message is hidden because Meow is on your [url]ignore list[/url]. Much better now :happy
Many folks think that Lewis was going to retire following '03 fight with Vitali. This is not true. Lewis was NOT planning to retire in 2003. The only reason Lewis retired was so that he did not have to face Vitali again. The rematch was in the works for December with Lewis hoping that Vitali would not recover in time for the fight. When it became clear that Vitali's cuts were healing just fine and he would be cleared to fight in December, Lewis changed his tune and pulled out of the fight. Vitali easily defeated Johnson and forced mandatory defense for Lewis. Lewis announced his retirement within one week before WBC meeting scheduled to strip him of the title. It is obvious that had Vitali not recovered in time for December fight Lewis would fight Johnson or RJJ instead, or, if Vitali lost to Johnson, Lewis would defend against Johnson in '04.
[url]http://www.arabnews.com/node/232555[/url] Why do you continue to tell lies? You got to get over TKO6, your mental state is not well. :-(
Lol, I know, huh!! I don't put much stock in what fighters say immediately following a fight. See the Starling-Molinares fight out for my reasons why. Fighters are seldom clear headed right after a fight and face immense public pressure after tough fights. I prefer to take the word of a clear headed fighter any day.
Your source proves Lewis did not want to retire and Vitali forced him out of the sport. You need to return to reality my friend. :hey [url]http://www.arabnews.com/node/232555[/url]: "Lewis said he had banished thoughts of quitting the ring and believed he had two or three more meaningful fights left in him." [url]http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2003-07-02-notebook_x.htm[/url]: "I want the rematch," Lewis said, speaking to the media on a conference call from New York. "I enjoyed that fight. It was just a fight. We went at it. You have to play dollars and cents but I'm opting more for the rematch." Lewis will still consider Jones and has spoken on the phone to the former light heavyweight champion who moved up to heavyweight in March and won a piece of the title from John Ruiz. Lewis, however, said he was leaving his options open and that "I am looking into the rematch because I want Vitali Klitschko." HBO PPV is holding Dec. 6 for Lewis' next bout. [url]http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/other-sport/boxing-lennox-pledge-over-rematch-1656190[/url]: "Lennox will not want to go out like that," said Steward, who said beforehand that he wanted Lewis to quit after one or two more fights rather than risk his status alongside Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis as one of the greatest boxers of all-time. "It was not a polished victory. He did get hurt and I don't know yet if he is going to fight again." [url]http://www.boxinginsider.com/interviews/interview-with-lennox-lewis/[/url]: "Question: Are you looking to fight twice this year? Lewis: That is fair to say." and that (skip to 6:20): "...and we can have another fight after that" [yt]7M-neIc1YlA[/yt]
The Vitali Fans should be lucky the rematch did not happen. Lewis would win again, maybe TKO 3 (the first fight could have been stopped after 3 rounds). Vitali and his fans live from the myth of TKO 6. Lewis was a much better boxer and fighter and had Emanuel Steward in his corner, the genius of boxing!
Lol, you have serious problems with reading comprehension or more likely your mental deficiencies simply won't allow you to accept the truth of the matter. Its ok son, there is the help out there you need to get. Take that first step and live a happier, healthier life instead of living in denial of the past. :rofl Lol, what a dope!
I love how vitali haters clearly ignore the fact that Lewis promised a rematch right after the fight and mentioned nothing about retirement