Lennox Lewis, the former three-time world champion, has named Shannon Briggs as the hardest puncher he faced in his career. Lewis made this surprising revelation in a recent interview with Ring Magazine, choosing Briggs over more well-known heavy hitters like Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield.
Lewis, who dominated the heavyweight division from 1989 to 2003, fought 44 times in his professional career. He became a three-time world champion and two-time lineal ruler, cementing his place in boxing history.
During his reign, Lewis faced some of the most formidable opponents in heavyweight boxing. He stepped into the ring with Mike Tyson, Vitali Klitschko, Frank Bruno, David Tua, and Evander Holyfield. Yet, it's Shannon Briggs who left the biggest impression when it came to punching power.
In his interview with Ring Magazine, Lewis explained his choice:
"Shannon Briggs. He lacked endurance but Briggs certainly knew how to put his bodyweight behind a punch."
Lewis went on to describe Briggs' surprising hand speed and ability to close the gap quickly, allowing him to deliver big punches. These attributes, combined with Briggs' raw power, made him stand out in Lewis' memory.
Many fans might have expected Lewis to name Oliver McCall or Hasim Rahman as the hardest punchers. Both fighters scored upset knockout victories against Lewis, though he later avenged both losses with knockout wins of his own.
Lewis and Briggs met in the ring in 1998 in Atlantic City. Despite Briggs' punching power, Lewis won the fight by TKO in the fifth round, knocking Briggs down three times before the stoppage.
Throughout his career, Lewis proved that power alone wasn't enough to beat him. He required opponents to have "the full package" to truly challenge him. This approach helped Lewis become the undisputed champion before his retirement in 2003.
Today, Lewis remains a keen observer of boxing. He recently weighed in on Daniel Dubois's chances against Oleksandr Usyk in their upcoming undisputed contest, showing he's still closely connected to the sport he once dominated.
Lewis's career and the caliber of his opponents have cemented his place as one of the finest heavyweights of his generation. His legacy continues to influence discussions about the greatest boxers of all time.
