We talk a lot about past fighters "ducking" each other, even though people at the time didn't always think so. In 20 years, once passions have cooled, do you think that people will conclude that Lennox retired because he didn't want to face Vitali again? Note that I'm not asking whether you believe it. (Please no "TKO 6" quotes...) This is all about historical perception.
Lennox talked about retiring since the Holyfield fights, he was 38 when he retired, no spring chicken. The Vitali fight made him realise he didn't really have his legs or stamina anymore.
Agree with McGrain. There may be some who will always remember the controversy and the dissatisfaction that vitali's fans had with no rematch, but most will probably accept the fact that Lewis beat him at the end of a long career and leave it at that.
Lennox just decided that he'd had enough,imo. He was 38 years old,and done enough to ensure his legacy.
Lewis beat him, fair and square, and at the end of a great career. However, it's almost a certainty that Vitali retired Lennox. Imagine if the first five rounds went pretty much like the first five against Tua. And then the sixth round went like the eighth against Tyson. Lennox winning decisively on all cards and by a KO. Would Lennox have fought again ?
There are the rumors that Lennox's wife Violet had given Lewis and ultimatum that it's either boxing or her. And he caved. That is the rumor mill. However I think that Lewis for his part has always accepted every challenge throughout his career. Had Vitaly beaten him that night there is no doubt in my mind that he would have taken an immediate rematch. Winning put him in a position where not only did beat his successor but he was in a position where he had nothing left to prove and he was well aware of his aging body's limitations. He knew he didn't have it anymore and decided rather than to risk his legacy he might as well go out on top. So he did.
in a way absolutely. Vitali was in his prime, Lewis wasn't. Lewis won a hard fight and knew he couldn't continue with any credibility unless he faced Vitali again. Lewis wouldn't have been good enough to win a rematch IMO. The right decision definitely. We always hope that fighters go out on top and Lennox did just that.
He was 38 and as i recall he needed to wait at least 6 months for rematch because of Vitalis cuts and Lennox wasnt geting any younger, so he retired he had nothing to prove it was legetimate win cut were from punches, imagine 38 year old Vitali against prime Lewis...people are always going to complain if he gave rematch and won people would say but the first fight he was losing bla bla bla
I absolutely think Lennox Lewis would have continued fighting for at least another year had the Vitali fight not occured or if Vitali lost his #1 spot by losing to Johnson. I think Lewis would have defended against Kirk Johnson and the Roy Jones Jr. Superfight would have probably went down. We might have even got Lennox Lewis vs. Danny Williams or Corrie Sanders. Does this mean Vitali retired him? I'm not sure, I know I wouldn't word it that way. Maybe Lennox knew Vitali would be the next big thing and really felt comfortable with his legacy having edged past him in his last fight? Who's to say what's on a man's mind.
The facts point to it: - Lewis-Vitali I was penciled in for December '03 instead of June before Johnson pulled out. Lewis-Johnson, Vitali-Boswell were supposed to be a tune ups. - Lewis never voiced any concrete retirement plans before or immediately after the fight - the rematch was being negotiated until it became clear that Vitali was going to get medical clearance to fight at which point Lewis pulled out - Lewis waited for outcome of Vitali-Johnson before announcing retirement - Lewis retired after WBC set deadline for the rematch to happen or Lewis to be stripped Lewis found himself in the situation where he had to rematch or lose WBC belt and face media shitstorm for ducking Vitali. I have no doubts in my mind that Lewis would fight again if Vitali lost to Johnson in December or did not get a medical clearance for the rematch.
No. A 38 year old old out of shape Lennox Lewis TKO'd Vitali. Why should he be scared? Lewis ducked Wlad. Wlad was # 1 rated contender 2 consecutive years
I don't think Vitali figured too much in Lewis thoughts when it came to retirement. Infact Lennox was still calling him Mavrovic until a few years ago. I think the fact he fought on one more time after Tyson was surprising, especially after a year off. Plus he was known then to be doing just enough to get by in training, which played a part in his difficult night with a big young gun like Vitali. At the end of the day Lewis couldn't be arsed putting the effort in in training, something he was struggling to do anyway, he figured he was still on top and decided it was a good time to call it quits. Klitschko fans will have you believe otherwise to make their man look better, but the fact is he was satisfied with his lot, realised he couldn't be bothered anymore and age was against him. So was honest with himself and retired. It is common knowledge his mother had an influence on his decision to retire, considering she was the most important person in his life then it is hardly surprising. To those who see this as room to have a pop at Lewis, then have a word with yourselves. p.s A Roy Jones fight was never taken seriously, by Lewis, Jones or the boxing public. To suggest it was is revisionist bull****.