BoxRec

Former undisputed champion Lennox Lewis rages over 're-written history' regarding title status

Lennox Lewis has gone public with his grievance with what he calls, 're-written history' over the tag of undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

Lewis believes a recent statement by network Showtime that 'there hasn't been an undisputed king since Mike Tyson in 1999' is a considerable slur on his record.

In 1999, Lewis fought Evander Holyfield for four recognised versions of the crown, with the IBO more revered than the lesser-known WBO in those days. This meant the winner of Lewis v Holyfield was at that time known as the number one and undisputed, something which has only now been altered with the further emergence of the World Boxing Organisation.

"So apparently Showtime thinks they can re-write history by writing champions like myself, Bowe, Douglas and Holyfield out of it and by saying there hasn’t been an undisputed champion since Mike Tyson in 1999. I personally recall facing Holyfield for that honour TWICE," said Lewis.

"As a fighter, being the undisputed champion was my ONLY goal. Fight the best to be the best. That was the legacy I fought my whole career for. So don’t think I’ll take it lightly when Showtime tries to take that away from me or anyone else who deserves that honour!

"And for Showtime to try to defend their error instead of admitting their mistake, only goes to show the lack of knowledge and willingness to do their homework. It’s almost as if there is some other agenda going on here".

http://www.worldboxingnews.net/2018/03/ ... tle-status

Mike Tyson in 1999?

The only belt Tyson held in 1999 was the one he used to keep his trousers up.

You wrote HBO instead of Showtime.

What do HBO have to do with this ?

I can see why he's unhappy, this is revisionist nonsense. You could count the number of people who considered the WBO heavyweight title legit in the 90's on the fingers of a snake.

Mercer and Bowe gave the title up because it was hampering their career while a china chinned fringe contender like Herbie Hide could win the belt twice.

Hang about: if we're unhappy about people re-writing history........... then let's not pretend that crap about the IBO being more important and recognised than the WBO ever happened.

The whole "not in my day" thing is rubbish. Lewis had the chance to be WBO champion but Akinwande vacated the belt before they fought, plus he said in an interview that if Hide had beaten Bowe he'd be interested in facing Hide for the WBO title. And when on earth was John Ruiz ever WBO champion anyway?

I am on his side about not re-writing history, but this is a rubbish argument to get his point across.



Also, in regards to someone being totally undisputed Heavyweight champion: it's true - the last guy was Mike Tyson in 1988/1989 before the WBO brought their title into play.

Col / T.M.K

To not recognize Lennox as the last undisputed champion is pure folly.

Mike Tyson in 99?
Surely a typo. If they truly said since Tyson in 99, they meant Lewis in 99. That was the last year he had all 4 titles. And Tyson had none.

T.M.K wrote: ↑20 Mar 2018, 17:07 Hang about: if we're unhappy about people re-writing history........... then let's not pretend that crap about the IBO being more important and recognised than the WBO ever happened.

The whole "not in my day" thing is rubbish. Lewis had the chance to be WBO champion but Akinwande vacated the belt before they fought, plus he said in an interview that if Hide had beaten Bowe he'd be interested in facing Hide for the WBO title. And when on earth was John Ruiz ever WBO champion anyway?

I am on his side about not re-writing history, but this is a rubbish argument to get his point across.



Also, in regards to someone being totally undisputed Heavyweight champion: it's true - the last guy was Mike Tyson in 1988/1989 before the WBO brought their title into play.

Col / T.M.K

I agree with you about the IBO, it's not a real belt, it's another organisation that nobody needs formed to give a few people some free ringside seats, sanctioning fees and perceived power. Much like when the WBO formed, created by a bunch of self interested nonentities who had thrown a hissy fit when with the WBA.

They got a few names and gullible TV companies interested in their titles but like most other boxing fans who watched boxing before they existed, I never considered them legit for a long time, more an alternate reality. And particularly in the heavyweight division.

Just because a bunch of legalised gangsters form a group, it doesn't make them immediately legitimate.

Like a Boss wrote: ↑20 Mar 2018, 15:31 Former undisputed champion Lennox Lewis rages over 're-written history' regarding title status



Lewis believes a recent statement by network Showtime that 'there hasn't been an undisputed king since Mike Tyson in 1999' is a considerable slur on his record.

If they are saying Tyson was undisputed in 99, that's more than a slur on Lewis' record. It's pure ignoramus.

I'm sure it was a mistake and they meant Lewis.

Dude's still insecure. Can't see Tyson nor hardly anyone bothering to care. Surely he and Malignaggi share a rocking chair together, griping about how hard done by they've been.

ElJefe wrote: ↑20 Mar 2018, 16:13 You wrote HBO instead of Showtime.

Posted the thread at 6.30am my time. Still half asleep, obviously

Have corrected. Cheers

T.M.K wrote: ↑20 Mar 2018, 17:07 Hang about: if we're unhappy about people re-writing history...........

Unfortunately, people are attempting to rewrite boxing history all the time.

Brazen distortion of facts by this article or perhaps Lewis himself:

In 1999, Lewis fought Evander Holyfield for four recognised versions of the crown, with the IBO more revered than the lesser-known WBO in those days.

The IBO has NEVER been more revered than the WBO...it started as the ultimate fringe-belt and continues to be!!

Lewis recently tweeted that Henry Akinwande gave up his WBO belt to fight him, and Lewis beat him easily; so there's little doubt Lewis was without question the undisputed champion of the world, and there's zero doubt he'd of defeated John Ruiz and Chris Byrd who held the WBA and IBF titles at different times.