Quote:
Originally Posted by Earl-Hickey
What "Route" did he take? being ducked by Riddick Bowe, and Tyson paying him untold millions not to have to fight him?
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Lewis took this route:
1992 - deliberately priced himself out of a fight with undisputed heavyweight champion of the world Riddick Bowe.
1993 - Lewis fights Class C fighters rather than the best in the division.
1994 - Lewis gets poleaxed in less than 2rds by Mike Tyson sparring partner/journeyman Oliver McCall..
1995 - Lewis turns down $10 million to fight Riddick Bowe.
1996 - Lewis turns down career highest payday of $15 million and gauranteed shot at the title by accepting meagre $3 million step-a-side money from Mike Tyson so that Tyson can win 2nd belt from Bruce Seldon.
1997 - Lewis wins vacant WBC title in farsical rematch with McCall who is only days out of Drug-Rehab...
1998 - Lewis wins liner title from Shannon Briggs.
1999 - Lewis agrees to face a Class A opponent for 1st time in his career by fighting Evander Holyfield who many feel is past his best.. Fight declared a draw with most feeling Lewis was the worthy winner, immediate rematch ordered..
1999 - Lewis vs Holyfield rematch goes the full 12rds with Lewis declared the winner yet most at ringside feeling Holyfield was the clear winner..
2000 - Lewis refuses to fight the No1 contender John Ruiz so is stripped of the WBA Title.. Lewis continues to fight Class C opponents.
2001 - Lewis gets poleaxed by mediocre journeyman Hasim Rahman and takes Rahman to court for immediate rematch..Lewis wins titles back in return fight.
2002 - Lewis stripped of IBF Title for refusing to fight No1 contender..Lewis fights Mike Tyson for career highest purse, Tyson only shell of the fighter he was a decade or more ago.
2003 - Lewis looks overweight and lethargic in fortunately beating late substitute Vitali Klitschko in epic battle..Klitschko demands rematch.
2004 - Lewis announces retirement days before he is to be stripped of final belt for refusing to fight rematch with Vitali Klitschko.