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since turning 38, the same age Lennox Lewis was "too old" to honor a rematch with him.
For those who don't know, Klitschko and Lewis fought June of 2003 at the Los Angeles Staples Center, and Lewis won by a controversial stoppage after the 6th round.
During the fight, Klitschko had Lewis in serious trouble in both the 2nd and 3rd rounds, and was leading on all three judges scorecards 4 rounds to 2. Further more, Klitschko had a decisive edge in punch stats, landing significantly more jabs, power punches, and total punches.
Further more, the general perception of analysts and ringside observers was that Lewis was lucky to avoid defeat in this contest:
"Vitali was winning the fight, Lewis got lucky. There has to a rematch!" -- George Foreman
"A lucky escape for Lennox Lewis, who was clearly losing the fight." -- Jim Lampley
After the fight, both fighters, analysts, and the fans in general started clamouring for, and even demanding, a rematch:
"I'm happy to give him a rematch because I will bust up the other side of his face as well." -- Lennox Lewis
"I proved tonight that I can beat Lennox Lewis. I want a rematch." -- Vitali Klitschko
With his own verbal commitment to a rematch, and all the pressure from the media and fans to provide one, Lennox Lewis, who had designs on fighting for several more years, was faced with a dilemma:
Rematch or retire.
Despite Lewis earlier indications that he intended on continuing his career for some time, his tune now changed and he was leaning more toward retirement.
Even with all the negative publicity that Lewis suffered as a result of this fight, and the significant amount of money he stood to make in a rematch (reportedly as much as 40 million dollars), Lewis opted to retire and not risk another tough fight with the physically superior Klitschko.
Lennox Lewis was 38 years old at the time.
Vitali Klitschko has now fought 4 years past that age, has over 10 title defenses of a major world title, and has become one of boxing's most envied, loved, hated, and richest fighters in the world.
Life is good for Vitali Klitschko, even if he couldn't get Lewis back in the ring to settle the score.
For those who don't know, Klitschko and Lewis fought June of 2003 at the Los Angeles Staples Center, and Lewis won by a controversial stoppage after the 6th round.
During the fight, Klitschko had Lewis in serious trouble in both the 2nd and 3rd rounds, and was leading on all three judges scorecards 4 rounds to 2. Further more, Klitschko had a decisive edge in punch stats, landing significantly more jabs, power punches, and total punches.
Further more, the general perception of analysts and ringside observers was that Lewis was lucky to avoid defeat in this contest:
"Vitali was winning the fight, Lewis got lucky. There has to a rematch!" -- George Foreman
"A lucky escape for Lennox Lewis, who was clearly losing the fight." -- Jim Lampley
After the fight, both fighters, analysts, and the fans in general started clamouring for, and even demanding, a rematch:
"I'm happy to give him a rematch because I will bust up the other side of his face as well." -- Lennox Lewis
"I proved tonight that I can beat Lennox Lewis. I want a rematch." -- Vitali Klitschko
With his own verbal commitment to a rematch, and all the pressure from the media and fans to provide one, Lennox Lewis, who had designs on fighting for several more years, was faced with a dilemma:
Rematch or retire.
Despite Lewis earlier indications that he intended on continuing his career for some time, his tune now changed and he was leaning more toward retirement.
Even with all the negative publicity that Lewis suffered as a result of this fight, and the significant amount of money he stood to make in a rematch (reportedly as much as 40 million dollars), Lewis opted to retire and not risk another tough fight with the physically superior Klitschko.
Lennox Lewis was 38 years old at the time.
Vitali Klitschko has now fought 4 years past that age, has over 10 title defenses of a major world title, and has become one of boxing's most envied, loved, hated, and richest fighters in the world.
Life is good for Vitali Klitschko, even if he couldn't get Lewis back in the ring to settle the score.
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