Lennox Lewis, the former heavyweight champion, has admitted he turned down a fight with George Foreman during his career. Lewis shared this revelation in a recent interview with Ring Magazine.
Lewis explained his decision, saying:
"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."
The British boxer's reasoning highlights the complex dynamics of matchmaking in boxing. A win against an older Foreman could have damaged Lewis's public image, while a loss would have hurt his reputation as a top heavyweight.
Lewis's career started with a bang when he won gold at the 1988 Olympics. He became WBC heavyweight champion in 1992 when Riddick Bowe refused to face him. Lewis lost the title to Oliver McCall in 1994 but bounced back in 1997. He avenged his loss to McCall and became the undisputed champion by beating Evander Holyfield.
In 2001, Hasim Rahman stopped Lewis, but the British fighter came back strong. He beat Rahman in a rematch and went on to score big wins over Mike Tyson and Vitali Klitschko before hanging up his gloves.
Foreman's career was just as impressive. He knocked out Joe Frazier to become world champion in 1973. The following year, he lost his titles to Muhammad Ali in the famous 'Rumble in the Jungle'. In 1994, at 45, Foreman shocked the world. He knocked out Michael Moorer to become the oldest heavyweight champion ever.
Foreman passed away in March 2025 at the age of 76, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.
Lewis's admission is surprising given his reputation for not backing down from challenges. But it shows the careful thought that goes into a boxer's career decisions, even for those at the top of their game.
You can read more about Lewis's reflections on his career in the full interview with Ring Magazine.
