Lennox refused to fight Ruiz?

[-Swizzy-]

In 2000 after his 2nd match with Holyfield, Lewis had to drop the WBA and IBF titles because he refused to fight the WBA's number 1 challenger, John Ruiz. WHY?

[T-97]

'Cause Ruiz is awkward and boring..

[Jupiter Maximus]

Lewis had to drop the WBA and IBF titles because he refused to fight the WBA's number 1 challenger, John Ruiz. WHY?

Because Lewis cared about Boxing

[joseph5620]

Lewis had to drop the WBA and IBF titles because he refused to fight the WBA's number 1 challenger, John Ruiz. WHY?

Because Lewis had a better deal to fight Michael Grant who was unbeaten and highly regarded at the time.. From what I remember, Lewis only dropped the WBA belt for that. Not the IBF.

[starjammer]

and probably because Lewis knew people would disregard the win as nothing special when they looked back on his career.

[-Swizzy-]

Because Lewis cared about Boxing

that would be the honorable thing to do but I have a hard time believing that Lewis refused to take on an easy contender like Ruiz to keep his belts. He could have beaten Ruiz and fought Grant anyway. Lewis took step-aside money so that tyson could fight Holyfield instead so I doubt he cares about boxing as much as he cares about money.

[AntonTheMeh]

because he was all ready married and did not want to recuprecate ruiz's feelings.

[JAB5239]

Because Lewis had a better deal to fight Michael Grant who was unbeaten and highly regarded at the time.. From what I remember, Lewis only dropped the WBA belt for that. Not the IBF.

Grant was highly regarded at the time and undefeated. As it turns out though, Ruiz was the more credible fighter. Still, can't blame Lennox. I never thought Grant could beat Lewis, but he did look like he could have been a top contender for awhile only to fold up mentally after the loss to Lennox.

[Zocalo]

Well Ruiz was/is a joke. He is biggest refection of how far the heavyweight division has fallen off.

[KnockoutTheFat]

It would look like the Akinwande "fight"