Last Call for Lennox Lewis

By Steve Trellert

17.08 - Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis' recent announcement that he would not be fighting again in 2003 soured many in the boxing world, not least of which the rabidly partisan fan base of the Klitschko brothers in Vitali and Wladimir. Many in this camp feel Vitali to be the unofficial victor over Lennox in their recent fight and consider the rematch nothing short of an entitlement. Although most tend to sympathize with the latter, it seems much harder to swallow a frequently mentioned secondary claim that Lennox Lewis is a coward and afraid to fight Vitali Klitschko in a rematch.

The secondary claim is being made based on two factors, the first being Vitali's strong performance in a losing effort against Lennox where he wobbled the champion and finished the fight ahead on all the judges scorecards after six rounds. The second is a recent announcement where Lewis declared he would not have enough time to prepare for the suggested rematch that was to occur this coming December.

Now clearly the latter statement exists solely within the realm of the ludicrous. I would even go so far as to say it might very well be the most ridiculous statement ever to come out of the Lewis camp. Clearly four to five month has always been enough time for an uninjured fighter to prepare, and for the self proclaimed "pugilist specialist" this should even be routine. Only the most naïve would accept that explanation as having any legitimacy. So what does all this filibustering mean? Is Lennox avoiding Vitali out of a sense of terror or unmitigated fear? Hardly, this is nothing more than business as usual since Lennox's dominant victory over Mike Tyson.

To state Lennox Lewis as a coward is to be myopic in the extreme, in fact it completely ignores his entire past legacy. Although Vitali's efforts were commendable, it was also highly overrated in comparison to the past achievement of Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman. Yes Vitali caused Lennox some problems and startled him on occasion, but "the Atomic Bull" and "the Rock" inflicted far more damage in comparison and Lewis nevertheless came back to avenge those two defeats without one iota of hesitation whatsoever. Additionally, throughout his career, he fought numerous serious contenders, and anytime he evaded any mandatory and dropped his belts it was due to a lack of challenge and instead went on to substitute an even more threatening opponent before him. This is not a career of cowardice but one of commendation. Lennox Lewis' career has been the very inverse of these recent claims and to not give him the benefit of the doubt seems intolerably biased to the point of hysterical. So what is with all this hesitation on the part of the champion? Quite simply it is a battle within oneself.

This conflict began long before Vitali arrived in the picture. Immediately after Lennox disposed of Mike Tyson he stated retirement to be a major consideration. Many boxing writers and commentators concurred that Lennox Lewis was now at his peak of prestige and that it would be the perfect time to ride off into the sunset. When sole heir apparent Wladimir Klitschko was decapitated by South African upstart Corrie Sanders this conclusion seemed even more relevant as the remaining contenders where an unworthy mixed bag of little distinction. Hesitancy and self-doubt yelled loud and clear as month after month uncharacteristically passed by without Lennox Lewis being scheduled to fight. Clearly no greater non-verbal measure of reluctance could have been made. Now after fighting Vitali Klitschko we do not have a Lennox Lewis who has changed his pattern due to the actions of Vitali in the ring, but a Lennox who has reverted back to the pattern of the previous year. He is once again stalling to fight and humming and hawing about retirement. Are we to conclude that the fight with Dr. Klitschko is having no influence upon Lewis' current actions? Of course not as that would be equally biased in the other direction, but it is clearly not a major factor as Lennox's actions hardly differ from the previous year, they may be a partial influence, but largely a marginal one at best.

Lennox Lewis' recent announcement to not fight for the remainder of this year is a disturbing one as it means the pinnacle of the Heavyweight division continues to be held hostage to Lewis' whims. Most concur, despite the relatively recent re-distribution of the "major belts", that Lennox remains the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World so all other contenders to some extent must await some kind of action from Lennox Lewis before they can be recognized as the 'true' holder of the crown. So how close are we to 'that action'? Probably very close.

Every indicator points to Lennox Lewis being on the very cusp of announcing his retirement. The verbalization to not fight for the remainder of this year is obviously an indicator of reluctance; and once that arises retirement is usually in the offing. His advancing age is clearly another one but that is seemingly becoming less and less of a factor for many a fighter as they continue to march on irrespective of father time. The recent re-announcement pronouncements of 'considering retirement' are more. Of course the previously listed factors are nothing new and this kind of waffling has been going on for months on end. What really stands out of late is not a verbal statement, but an actual action, and not of Lennox Lewis, but of his trainer Emmanuel Steward.

To say that Emmanuel has a busy schedule is redundant, in between training fighters he has also been a exemplary commentator for HBO's "Boxing After Dark". Lennox Lewis has been his primary pupil for years now and it seemed that Emmanuel was becoming more and more restrictive in recent years in terms of allocating his time training new fighters. Naturally, because of his schedule, we began to see less and less of Mr. Steward in the corner of others. Now suddenly he was in the corner of Hector Camacho Jr. in his last fight. Additionally it has recently been announced that he has begun an association with Heavyweight prospect Tye Fields. By all appearances Manny seems to be moving on to other fighters which would indicate an availability of time not evident before. Could it be that the fat lady is already on stage warming up and ready to announce the pending end of a prestigious boxing career in Lennox Lewis? Probably, but then of course this announcement is just as likely to be held up by the historical nemesis of Champion's past, not Vitali Klitschko, but the relinquishment of the mantle and recognition of being the Heavyweight Champion. For many this can be the hardest battle of all, the battle against ones own ego.

Up to this point the boxing world's reaction to this conflict has been similar to Lennox Lewis' tea drinking and chess playing persona, gentlemanly. In fact it is almost shocking just how patient it has been. But alas nerves are wearing thin and many are now beginning to concur with Evander Holyfield's recent public statement that Lewis must demonstrate some decisiveness in regards to his career and either continue onward or call it a day. Though some may criticize Holyfield's decision to continue his career at the age of 40, at least it is far more worthy of respect than Lennox' recent stance of hesitation. It is time for Lennox Lewis to answer the last call and let Heavyweight Boxing move forward with or without him, to not do so will only increase an already growing amount of resentment that can only help to diminish his legacy. If he continues to waver, eventually the boxing world will have to put a boot to the backside of not a heavyweight great, but deadweight.

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