No where remotely near the popularity of Bruno who could pass as a National Treasure. Even now during arena shows, when Frank is shown to the crowd he receives a huge reception.
I never thought of lennox ss british when i was a kid And even less so as i got older so never really got behind him but i liked to see him fight.
Lewis was local to my parents who live about 5 minutes from Crayford. Back in the early 90’s when I was in my mid teens, me and my mates would occasionally see him doing roadwork in Danson Park. We never stopped him running but he would always acknowledge us with an ‘alright men’. Seems incredible he never matched or came close to Bruno or AJ’s level of popularity when he was active.
He was born in Britain and lived here till he was 12. People say Chisora is British and he was not born here and never came here till he was 16.
Lewis lived in London until he was 8 years old when his Mother emigrated to Canada. He could not have boxed for GB because he was not affiliated to the ABA. He could hardly pop over to box for Repton. I had been a keen follower having watched him in 2 Olympics as well as the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.
He eventually became very popular, whoever was in the hall for the Ruddock fight, then they went ballistic. I’m simply not aware of any big support for Tyson when he fought Lewis.
He is like marmite tbh. Some don't even regard him as British. If he had been an average, run of the mill heavyweight nobody would give a ****. He would be a Canadian. Personally I think he doesn't get enough credit for his achievements as a British sporting legend.
Pudding Chisora is a proud Africano who uses the Union Jack to maximise his PPV Loot. Lewis viewed by many as a plastic Brit and Pudding Chisora must be a Cardboard Brit according to said logic.