Why did Lennox retire after telling Vitali he would give him a rematch?

[boxing880]

I don't understand....... He repeatedly told Vitali he would give him a rematch. He also stated before the fight that he wouldn't retire anytime soon as he aged like wine since he got better with age.

So what happened?

[famicommander]

He was done.

[Get em up]

He had nothing left to prove

[boxing880]

He had nothing left to prove

You didn't answer the question........

[NoConcoms]

So what happened?

It's quite possible age and time caught up with him. He probably knew he couldn't pull it off again.

I recall he got offered $40 million USD to fight Vitali again in 2004 or 2005.

I'd fight any man on the planet in a boxing match for that kinda money.

[Redd Foxx]

He knew Vitali had his number. I can't blame Lewis though because a guy has to retire at some point.

[Get em up]

You didn't answer the question........

Yeah I was pretty clear with my answer...

He had nothing left to prove. Maybe he was aware that he was going down in his history as a atg and felt like the time was right

[boliodogs]

I think Vitali would have beat him if he had not been cut and would have won a rematch. Lewis was old and rich and smart to retire rather than take the rematch in my opinion.

[boliodogs]

I don't understand....... He repeatedly told Vitali he would give him a rematch. He also stated before the fight that he wouldn't retire anytime soon as he aged like wine since he got better with age.

So what happened?

He thought it over and changed his mind which was the right call. Only fine wine gets better with age not old boxers. I think a rematch with young prime Vitali would have put an L on his record. He did not need the money at that time. He is very wealthy and considered an all time great and one of the best heavyweights ever.,

[deathofaclown]

Lewis was done anyway. He looked faded in that fight and not in good shape.

Also, it was Lewis and his punches that caved Vitali’s face in, so the win can’t be taken away from him.