This is My List of the Top 5 Knockouts of Lennox Lewis.
- Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson. June 8, 2002. The Pyramid; Memphis, Tennessee. A bizarre acting Tyson was a problem all throughout promotions, leaving the only place to accept the bout being Memphis. Vegas wanted nothing to do with Tyson anymore, who actually bit Lewis’s leg at a press conference in New York in January. Tyson was fighting only for the money, and despite the fact that some of the public actually believed he was still ‘Iron Mike’, I never bought it for a second. Watching Lennox totally dominate the former ‘Boy Wonder’ was one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen in the ring, and when he knocked him out flat on his back in the 8th, made the night complete. The most satisfying knockout of Lewis’ career, and the number one on my list.
- Lennox Lewis vs. Razor Ruddock. October 31, 1992. Earls Court Exhibition Centre; London, England. In what was billed as a WBC eliminator bout for the title, Lennox shocked the world by totally obliterated Ruddock in two easy rounds. Ruddock, coming off of two wars with Mike Tyson in 1991, was considered a live opponent, but Lennox made quick work of him. After dropping him late in the first round, Lewis put Razor back on the canvas twice in the second round, ending the contest, and making Lennox the number 1 contender. In December, Riddick Bowe threw the WBC belt he won by defeating Evander Holyfield in November, in the trash can, and the WBC named Lewis their new champion. Only the second fighter after Ken Norton, to be named heavyweight champion without actually fighting for it. The KO of Ruddock was the second biggest of Lennox’s career.
- Lennox Lewis vs. Hasim Rahman 2. November 17, 2001. Mandalay Bay; Las Vegas, Nevada. After losing his title to Rahman in Africa in April of 2001, both Lewis and the new champion went on a promotion tour that summer to promote their rematch. Rahman was rude and belligerent, often criticizing Lewis, and being over-confident to say the least. When the rematch was broadcast on pay-per-view in the fall, I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. It was a real pleasure to see Lennox totally thrash the big-mouthed Rahman, and knock him cold with a spectacular right hand in the fourth round. That ended the clown’s title reign at just over 6 months, and he is lucky he had it that long. The third best knockout in Lewis’ career.
- Lennox Lewis vs. Andrew Golota, October 4, 1997. Atlantic City Convention Hall; Atlantic City, New Jersey. Andrew Golota had the reputation of a lunatic and a headcase, and I was looking forward to seeing Lennox knock him out, and get rid of him from the heavyweight rankings. I never gave Golota a chance, and when Lennox easily starched him in one round, it was almost laughable. Golota was a quitter and a dirty fighter, and boxing would be better off without him. It proved Lennox’s superiority to the rest of the pretenders in the heavyweight division, and is why I rank him as the most talented heavyweight champion in history. The 4th biggest KO of his career.
- Lennox Lewis vs. Shannon Briggs. March 28, 1998. Atlantic City Convention Hall; Atlantic City, New Jersey. Briggs, fresh off of a gift decision win over George Foreman in November of 1997,(a fight he lost hands-down), challenged the champion Lewis in early spring of 1998. After briefly stunning Lennox in the opening round, the champion took over, putting Briggs on the canvas so many times, I lost count. Finally in the fifth, Lennox put him down and out, keeping all of the championship belts around his waist, where they belonged. Lewis showed his talent that night, and is the 5th biggest knockout of his great career.
FOLLOW ME ON TIKTOK AT kensoldtimeboxingchat
LISTEN TO MY PODCAST ON SPOTIFY AT kensoldtimeboxingchat
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM AT kensoldtimeboxingchat
