Why exactly did Roy Jones Jr not fight Lennox Lewis after defeating Ruiz?

[thesenuts]

This fight actually almost happened. Does anyone know why it didn't? At the time, Roy was just coming off a nice win against Ruiz and looked great and fighting Lewis was the next big fight. But instead he moved back down. Why?

[The Big Dunn]

He was lining up for a Tyson fight. He was never going to fight lennox.

[LacedUp]

It was talked about a little at the time, but I recall Jones jr saying he only went up to HW once. And in reality, he's a SMW or a LHW at best. Wouldn't be human to let him fight a super heavyweight.

[The Surgeon]

Roy chose life....

[Barn]

lennox lewis by skull explosion

[Public_Enemy]

Roy didn't want to die in the ring. He made history winning the heavyweight title but that didn't really make him a heavyweight. Roy had to pick the right opponent to get the strap and then got the hell out of that division. The only fights he could've stood a chance were against small heavyweights like Ruiz, Tyson and Holyfield. Lennox was far too big/skilled and had too much reach. That fight would've ended ugly.

Look what happened to Steve Cunningham...

[ma51f]

Looooool!!!

[King Jaffe Joffer]

Because he didnt want to die?

[Furn]

He enjoyed living too much probably.

[NChristo]

WasnŽt Vitali his mandatory ?, heŽd of lost before even getting too think about the Lewis fight.