Lennox Lewis, the former undisputed heavyweight champion, has admitted he never wanted to fight George Foreman. Lewis made this revelation in a recent interview with The Ring Magazine, citing it as a "lose-lose situation" due to Foreman's age and popularity.
George Foreman's legacy in heavyweight boxing is unparalleled. He holds the record for being the oldest man to win the world heavyweight title, achieving this feat at 45 years old in 1994. Foreman's career has been marked by remarkable comebacks and iconic moments.
In 1994, Foreman shocked the boxing world when he knocked out Michael Moorer in the 10th round to reclaim the heavyweight title. Despite losing the early rounds, Foreman's experience and power prevailed, cementing his place in boxing history.
Foreman's career path was unconventional. He initially retired from boxing in 1977 and stayed away from the sport for a decade. In 1987, he made a surprising return to the ring. Foreman continued fighting until 1997, retiring at almost 49 years old with an impressive record of 76 wins from 81 fights.
Throughout his career, Foreman faced some of the greatest names in boxing. He fought Muhammad Ali in the legendary "Rumble in the Jungle", lost to Evander Holyfield, and secured memorable victories over Ron Lyle and Joe Frazier (twice).
While Foreman's career was winding down, Lennox Lewis was rising to prominence. Lewis became the undisputed champion in 1999 after defeating Evander Holyfield at Madison Square Garden. Despite their careers briefly overlapping, Lewis and Foreman never stepped into the ring together.
Lewis explained his reasoning in an interview with The Ring Magazine:
"No. I never wanted to fight George. It is a lose-lose situation. If you beat him, like I would have, then you beat an old guy and everyone hates you, because they loved George. And if he beats you, you got beaten by an old guy and you are rubbish."
Lewis's admission sheds light on the strategic decisions fighters must make, balancing career advancement with public perception. It's worth noting that Shannon Briggs, a former champion who fought both men, recently praised Lewis's powerful right hand, saying it could hurt anybody.
Foreman's enduring popularity and Lewis's calculated approach to his career highlight the complex dynamics at play in professional boxing. While fans might have enjoyed seeing these two heavyweight legends face off, Lewis's decision to avoid the fight underscores the many factors that influence a boxer's career choices.
