I first met Lennox In one of the rooms above the pub the bear and staff (I think that was the name) always thought it was bexleyheath but I was young so it may not have been , my dad told me to come and see the kid who won gold at the Olympics for Canada and there was this giant of a man
Years later and after he was multi world champ I went to one of his BBQs as a guest of a pal who had worked with him on some PR stuff
Last time I saw him was in Asda In Southgate and he was still as humble as ever
He knew we had met somewhere before and asked me where it was when I was in full awe mode of him and what he had achieved in the sport I adored
Once I told him he gave me the i knew I knew you from somewhere line when we both knew it was bollox he didn’t have a clue
It made me feel a million dollars
One of the good guys is Lennox Lewis
Great story I have always loved lennox. Bear and staff could be in Crayford as that's name of big pub on one way system there
It was a big old pub and it amy have been Crayford
Frank Maloney before he bacame Kelly was in the bar downstairs
Always loved Lennox Lewis, from the moment that I first saw him in action in the Olympics.
I have never been so annoyed at a fighter as I was when he lost to Rahmann, he was so clearly a superior fighter to Rahman, but had taken his foot off the gas in his preparation, and paid the ultimate price for it. Very similar to the Oliver McCall debacle that came before it.
That was the only real flaw that LL had, a tendency to be a little complacent and lazy if he wasn’t really ‘Up’ for a fight. However when he was switched on and fully motivated, he could be a right nasty SOB and would definitely be in my top five heavyweights of all time.
Funny enough it is the fights that he had before he won the title, that I remember most fondly, particularly when he had a right old tear up with Gary Mason (RIP), and then knocking out Glen McCrory a few months later.
Lewis Mason was one of the first fights I really remember. Saw all the posters up in town, and reckoned it'll be good. Lewis was classy and mashed mason's eye... got me into boxing
His jab was extraordinary it was a devastating weapon in its own right , I used to watch is fights over and over just watching the jab of Lewis render most folk into a daze and allow the openings to just unfold in front of him
His power and balance were great also when you put all three components together and alongside such a natural frame of a super heavy weight you had a devastating boxer
He was cold when he needed to be his finishing was relentless if he smelt blood he took advantage
He was quick for a heavyweight but never moved quickly around the ring saving his energy
Joshua wouldn’t last 5 rds with him
Lennox is the best heavyweight I have seen live imo
A thing about Lewis that upset my uncle (who used to talk to me about boxing) was how he held up Bruno's head to him. Now... My uncle knows Bruno (and furnished me with a signed photo) so is biased... You need to be a cold bastard. AJ is, make no mistake.
Always a good starter and worked well behind his solid jab, but come rounds 8 or 9 he would start to run out of gas, and would slowly succumb to the inevitable.
How he survived that last couple of rounds against Oliver McCall I will never ever know.
Always a good starter and worked well behind his solid jab, but come rounds 8 or 9 he would start to run out of gas, and would slowly succumb to the inevitable.
How he survived that last couple of rounds against Oliver McCall I will never ever know.
His jab was extraordinary it was a devastating weapon in its own right , I used to watch is fights over and over just watching the jab of Lewis render most folk into a daze and allow the openings to just unfold in front of him
His power and balance were great also when you put all three components together and alongside such a natural frame of a super heavy weight you had a devastating boxer
He was cold when he needed to be his finishing was relentless if he smelt blood he took advantage
He was quick for a heavyweight but never moved quickly around the ring saving his energy
Joshua wouldn’t last 5 rds with him
Lennox is the best heavyweight I have seen live imo
When Lennox Lewis was up for a fight he was unbeatable
He will always be a favourite of mine and whilst he was responsible for some good memories of loads of us desperately trying to stay awake round a mates house as a lot of his fights were in Vegas and at about 5 in the morning.
The 2 Holyfield fights stand out as does the Shannon Briggs fight which was easily one of the best heavyweight shoot outs I've ever seen
Just out of interest, have you read the book Black Ajax by George MacDonald Fraser? It's a historical novel absed on the real African American boxer Tom Molineaux. He was around during the Georgian bareknuckle era. A good read.
No, I haven't. I'll have a look for it though. Sounds interesting.
Tom Molineaux was the former slave who came to England and fought Tom Cribb (over 35 rounds!) for the world title, back in the bare knuckle era. And Tom Cribb is buried in Woolwich.
Always loved Lennox Lewis, from the moment that I first saw him in action in the Olympics.
I have never been so annoyed at a fighter as I was when he lost to Rahmann, he was so clearly a superior fighter to Rahman, but had taken his foot off the gas in his preparation, and paid the ultimate price for it. Very similar to the Oliver McCall debacle that came before it.
That was the only real flaw that LL had, a tendency to be a little complacent and lazy if he wasn’t really ‘Up’ for a fight. However when he was switched on and fully motivated, he could be a right nasty SOB and would definitely be in my top five heavyweights of all time.
Funny enough it is the fights that he had before he won the title, that I remember most fondly, particularly when he had a right old tear up with Gary Mason (RIP), and then knocking out Glen McCrory a few months later.
Top 5 of all time is a big call - top 5 in my lifetime certainly.
Always loved Lennox Lewis, from the moment that I first saw him in action in the Olympics.
I have never been so annoyed at a fighter as I was when he lost to Rahmann, he was so clearly a superior fighter to Rahman, but had taken his foot off the gas in his preparation, and paid the ultimate price for it. Very similar to the Oliver McCall debacle that came before it.
That was the only real flaw that LL had, a tendency to be a little complacent and lazy if he wasn’t really ‘Up’ for a fight. However when he was switched on and fully motivated, he could be a right nasty SOB and would definitely be in my top five heavyweights of all time.
Funny enough it is the fights that he had before he won the title, that I remember most fondly, particularly when he had a right old tear up with Gary Mason (RIP), and then knocking out Glen McCrory a few months later.
Top 5 of all time is a big call - top 5 in my lifetime certainly.
So who would you choose?
I get the impression we are not too far apart in age.
My top 5 heavy weights from my lifetime so far would be, in no particular order other than the first, Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Lewis, Vitali Klitschko.
A few like Liston, Norton, Tyson and Vladamir Klitschko knocking on the door but not sure who would replace who. Tyson for Foreman maybe but then I remember how he (Foreman) made Frazier look like a little rag doll.
Always loved Lennox Lewis, from the moment that I first saw him in action in the Olympics.
I have never been so annoyed at a fighter as I was when he lost to Rahmann, he was so clearly a superior fighter to Rahman, but had taken his foot off the gas in his preparation, and paid the ultimate price for it. Very similar to the Oliver McCall debacle that came before it.
That was the only real flaw that LL had, a tendency to be a little complacent and lazy if he wasn’t really ‘Up’ for a fight. However when he was switched on and fully motivated, he could be a right nasty SOB and would definitely be in my top five heavyweights of all time.
Funny enough it is the fights that he had before he won the title, that I remember most fondly, particularly when he had a right old tear up with Gary Mason (RIP), and then knocking out Glen McCrory a few months later.
Top 5 of all time is a big call - top 5 in my lifetime certainly.
So who would you choose?
I get the impression we are not too far apart in age.
My top 5 heavy weights from my lifetime so far would be, in no particular order other than the first, Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Lewis, Vitali Klitschko.
A few like Liston, Norton, Tyson and Vladamir Klitschko knocking on the door but not sure who would replace who. Tyson for Foreman maybe but then I remember how he (Foreman) made Frazier look like a little rag doll.
Larry Holmes would not look out of place in this company imo.
Always loved Lennox Lewis, from the moment that I first saw him in action in the Olympics.
I have never been so annoyed at a fighter as I was when he lost to Rahmann, he was so clearly a superior fighter to Rahman, but had taken his foot off the gas in his preparation, and paid the ultimate price for it. Very similar to the Oliver McCall debacle that came before it.
That was the only real flaw that LL had, a tendency to be a little complacent and lazy if he wasn’t really ‘Up’ for a fight. However when he was switched on and fully motivated, he could be a right nasty SOB and would definitely be in my top five heavyweights of all time.
Funny enough it is the fights that he had before he won the title, that I remember most fondly, particularly when he had a right old tear up with Gary Mason (RIP), and then knocking out Glen McCrory a few months later.
Top 5 of all time is a big call - top 5 in my lifetime certainly.
So who would you choose?
I get the impression we are not too far apart in age.
My top 5 heavy weights from my lifetime so far would be, in no particular order other than the first, Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Lewis, Vitali Klitschko.
A few like Liston, Norton, Tyson and Vladamir Klitschko knocking on the door but not sure who would replace who. Tyson for Foreman maybe but then I remember how he (Foreman) made Frazier look like a little rag doll.
In my lifetime - Ali, Holmes, Foreman, Lewis and then Holyfield or Frazier - in that order.
All time I would put Lewis around 7 or 8 and would have Joe Louis, Jack Johnson and Rocky Marciano above him.
Mike Tyson is an enigma - at his very best (when he was around 21!!) he would be in the mix (but not number 1 - we both agree on that!).
Always loved Lennox Lewis, from the moment that I first saw him in action in the Olympics.
I have never been so annoyed at a fighter as I was when he lost to Rahmann, he was so clearly a superior fighter to Rahman, but had taken his foot off the gas in his preparation, and paid the ultimate price for it. Very similar to the Oliver McCall debacle that came before it.
That was the only real flaw that LL had, a tendency to be a little complacent and lazy if he wasn’t really ‘Up’ for a fight. However when he was switched on and fully motivated, he could be a right nasty SOB and would definitely be in my top five heavyweights of all time.
Funny enough it is the fights that he had before he won the title, that I remember most fondly, particularly when he had a right old tear up with Gary Mason (RIP), and then knocking out Glen McCrory a few months later.
Top 5 of all time is a big call - top 5 in my lifetime certainly.
So who would you choose?
I get the impression we are not too far apart in age.
My top 5 heavy weights from my lifetime so far would be, in no particular order other than the first, Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Lewis, Vitali Klitschko.
A few like Liston, Norton, Tyson and Vladamir Klitschko knocking on the door but not sure who would replace who. Tyson for Foreman maybe but then I remember how he (Foreman) made Frazier look like a little rag doll.
Larry Holmes would not look out of place in this company imo.
Obviously way before my time, but Jack Dempsey is also regarded as a great.
In my short time, I'd pick maybe Tyson, Lewis, Vitali Klitschko, Riddick Bowe... and there's a space for who comes on top between Fury, Joshua and Wilder
In my lifetime, and that I was old enough to have seen fight in their era
1) Lennox Lewis 2) Mike Tyson 3) Evander Holyfield 4) Vitali Klitschko 5) Larry Holmes
If Tyson and Lewis had fought both in their prime it would have been something to behold. Head says Lewis would have had the intelligence to box him long, tie him up, spoil him and knock him out. Heart says Tyson would have ripped his head off and shat on the stump
Lewis v Vitali was a bad fight for Lennox as he was expecting to fight Byrd and was totally under prepared and underestimated Vitali. Anyone says Lewis didn't have a chin should watch that fight. He took some massive punches
A good highlight reel KO is what he did to Rahman in the rematch too, he hit him so hard and clean I bet Rahman was being tweety birds for months after
The bloke was 48-0 from 1974 to 1985! Unreal record and fought some top fighters.
He's second to Ali in my lifetime - a true great.
I hated his fight against an ageing and already ill Ali, and so did Holmes. But an incredible career, power, technique and a granite chin - I'll never forget that punch from Shavers in their second fight that he got up from!
The bloke was 48-0 from 1974 to 1985! Unreal record and fought some top fighters.
He's second to Ali in my lifetime - a true great.
I hated his fight against an ageing and already ill Ali, and so did Holmes. But an incredible career, power, technique and a granite chin - I'll never forget that punch from Shavers in their second fight that he got up from!
And then Tyson did similar to Holmes........I remember (I think) Holmes getting his glove caught on the ropes as he was trying to throw a hook which left him wide open to a free shot from Tyson....all over!
The bloke was 48-0 from 1974 to 1985! Unreal record and fought some top fighters.
He's second to Ali in my lifetime - a true great.
I hated his fight against an ageing and already ill Ali, and so did Holmes. But an incredible career, power, technique and a granite chin - I'll never forget that punch from Shavers in their second fight that he got up from!
And then Tyson did similar to Holmes........I remember (I think) Holmes getting his glove caught on the ropes as he was trying to throw a hook which left him wide open to a free shot from Tyson....all over!
Yes he put him down three times. Tyson at his peak, Holmes an old man lured out of retirement.
What’s all this seen live nonsense. Unless you’re in the first ten rows it’s one of those sports you can follow better on screen surely? Both from a definition perspective and also from a various angle perspective
What’s all this seen live nonsense. Unless you’re in the first ten rows it’s one of those sports you can follow better on screen surely? Both from a definition perspective and also from a various angle perspective
I agree after watching the last Joshua fight at Wembley. The Olympics were good when we were perhaps 20 rows back.
Comments
Frank Maloney before he bacame Kelly was in the bar downstairs
I have never been so annoyed at a fighter as I was when he lost to Rahmann, he was so clearly a superior fighter to Rahman, but had taken his foot off the gas in his preparation, and paid the ultimate price for it. Very similar to the Oliver McCall debacle that came before it.
That was the only real flaw that LL had, a tendency to be a little complacent and lazy if he wasn’t really ‘Up’ for a fight. However when he was switched on and fully motivated, he could be a right nasty SOB and would definitely be in my top five heavyweights of all time.
Funny enough it is the fights that he had before he won the title, that I remember most fondly, particularly when he had a right old tear up with Gary Mason (RIP), and then knocking out Glen McCrory a few months later.
His power and balance were great also when you put all three components together and alongside such a natural frame of a super heavy weight you had a devastating boxer
He was cold when he needed to be his finishing was relentless if he smelt blood he took advantage
He was quick for a heavyweight but never moved quickly around the ring saving his energy
Joshua wouldn’t last 5 rds with him
Lennox is the best heavyweight I have seen live imo
Always a good starter and worked well behind his solid jab, but come rounds 8 or 9 he would start to run out of gas, and would slowly succumb to the inevitable.
How he survived that last couple of rounds against Oliver McCall I will never ever know.
I was so pleased for him when he won the title.
He had absolutely everything.
He will always be a favourite of mine and whilst he was responsible for some good memories of loads of us desperately trying to stay awake round a mates house as a lot of his fights were in Vegas and at about 5 in the morning.
The 2 Holyfield fights stand out as does the Shannon Briggs fight which was easily one of the best heavyweight shoot outs I've ever seen
I get the impression we are not too far apart in age.
My top 5 heavy weights from my lifetime so far would be, in no particular order other than the first, Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Lewis, Vitali Klitschko.
A few like Liston, Norton, Tyson and Vladamir Klitschko knocking on the door but not sure who would replace who. Tyson for Foreman maybe but then I remember how he (Foreman) made Frazier look like a little rag doll.
All time I would put Lewis around 7 or 8 and would have Joe Louis, Jack Johnson and Rocky Marciano above him.
Mike Tyson is an enigma - at his very best (when he was around 21!!) he would be in the mix (but not number 1 - we both agree on that!).
1) Ali
2) Larry Holmes
3) Lewis
4) Tyson
5) Holyfield
How did I manage to forget him?
In my short time, I'd pick maybe Tyson, Lewis, Vitali Klitschko, Riddick Bowe... and there's a space for who comes on top between Fury, Joshua and Wilder
1) Lennox Lewis
2) Mike Tyson
3) Evander Holyfield
4) Vitali Klitschko
5) Larry Holmes
If Tyson and Lewis had fought both in their prime it would have been something to behold. Head says Lewis would have had the intelligence to box him long, tie him up, spoil him and knock him out. Heart says Tyson would have ripped his head off and shat on the stump
Lewis v Vitali was a bad fight for Lennox as he was expecting to fight Byrd and was totally under prepared and underestimated Vitali. Anyone says Lewis didn't have a chin should watch that fight. He took some massive punches
A good highlight reel KO is what he did to Rahman in the rematch too, he hit him so hard and clean I bet Rahman was being tweety birds for months after
1) Lennox Lewis
2) Evander Holyfield
3) Larry Holmes
4) Mike Tyson
5) Vitali Klitschko
The bloke was 48-0 from 1974 to 1985! Unreal record and fought some top fighters.
I hated his fight against an ageing and already ill Ali, and so did Holmes. But an incredible career, power, technique and a granite chin - I'll never forget that punch from Shavers in their second fight that he got up from!
Also really glad he retired at the right time and seems like a happy, chilled guy. So many boxers struggle away from the ring, but not Lennox.
Not that he struggled in it either. What a fighter.
The Olympics were good when we were perhaps 20 rows back.