Why did Lewis Retire and not Rematch Vitali?

[Vadrigar.]

From what i remember, that was one close competitive heavyweight fight that ended up being stopped on a cut.

The cut on Vitali's eye was gruesome,and the fight probably should have been stopped at the time, but why Lennox Lewis decided to retire other than give Vitali a rematch he clearly deserved is beyond me.

The heavyweight divison was on a steady decline at the time and was in need for a rematch such as this one after one hell of a first fight.

IMO Lennox deciding to retire rather than go for the rematch with Vitali, was the final blow to what was once an exciting big man division.

[- v e t -]

lewis, from what i remember, was pretty far shot by then... it was a good fight, but their primes didnt match up so to say...

[Beater_of_ass]

He would have lost.

[GoogleMe]

From what i remember, that was one close competitive heavyweight fight that ended up being stopped on a cut.

The cut on Vitali's eye was gruesome,and the fight probably should have been stopped at the time, but why Lennox Lewis decided to retire other than give Vitali a rematch he clearly deserved is beyond me.

The heavyweight divison was on a steady decline at the time and was in need for a rematch such as this one after one hell of a first fight.

IMO Lennox deciding to retire rather than go for the rematch with Vitali, was the final blow to what was once an exciting big man division.

Cause Lewis were way past prime. He fougt everyone, and beat everyone worth mentioning in his era. Why defeat the same opponent twice? Though it's mostly cause Lewis just werent commited to fighting anymore. Worst shape I saw him in....

[Vadrigar.]

lewis, from what i remember, was pretty far shot by then... it was a good fight, but their primes didnt match up so to say...

I don't know the exact details, but I've heard Lewis wasn't prepared very well for that fight.

If it's true than Lewis could have dedicated himself to give one last great performance.

[bojangles1987]

Lewis was done fighting. Vitali is lucky he got to fight Lennox at all, Lennox was ready to retire before that fight.

[D-MiZe]

Lewis was done fighting. Vitali is lucky he got to fight Lennox at all, Lennox was ready to retire before that fight.

He also came in out of shape and disinterested.

If only Vitali had shown up a few years earlier.

[-PANDA-]

lewis was old, cmon the guy was a champion in the early nineties and beat everyone he ever faced in a loaded division, he fought everyone around and took the vitali fight last minute when johnson pulled out

rahman had more of his prime left than lewis and we all know what happened to his career

the guy deserved to retire

[Vadrigar.]

lewis was old, cmon the guy was a champion in the early nineties and beat everyone he ever faced in a loaded division, he fought everyone around and took the vitali fight last minute when johnson pulled out

rahman had more of his prime left than lewis and we all know what happened to his career

the guy deserved to retire

I agree, he did deserve to retire, but that doesn't mean he should have.

Were there any health concerns?

That could have been a reason.

[Tyson.]

The cut was no fluke, Lewis landed a big shot that bust Vitali up. If the fight had continued Vitali would have lost his eyesight. Vitali was not unlucky, he should have avoided getting hit with such a big shot. In boxing one punch can KO some one so I dont see how this is any diferent.

Lewis was the champion and it isnt usual practice for a champion to give a rematch to someone they have just stopped. Lewis had been contemplating retirement for a while as he wasnt that dedicated to boxing anymore and was past prime so its not as if he reitred to duck a rematch.

Had lewis rematched him and then stopped him again, he would have gained no credit, people would discredit the win as he had alredy beaten him before.