Photos: John McDonald (IBO)
Lennox Lewis retires!
Champion says "Let the next era begin."
February 6, 2004
By Keith Holland
World heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis announced his retirement today at a press conference at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, England. Many expected the announcement as Lewis stood to address the assembled press hordes.
"It's a special day in my life - I'd like to announce that June 21 2003 was my last fight as a professional boxer," Lewis stated. "...I will definitely be the third heavyweight boxer to retire as heavyweight champion. I can promise you that. I am proud of being heavyweight champion. It's not easy being heavyweight champion of the world. It's very hard to achieve. It's even harder to keep, to stay at the top. I am a person who believes if you can't give 110% you shouldn't do it. I've given a 110% in my sport. I respect boxing a great deal. It has done so much for me. One of the reasons I am retiring is that I respect the sport so much. It is time for the younger generation of boxers to make their own route to become heavyweight champion. The challenge is there for them to achieve what I have achieved over the last 12 years."
The 38-year-old Lewis thanked his team with a special mention to his mother Violet, whom he said he loved dearly and who had helped drive him to the ultimate prize in boxing. He also thanked trainer Emmanuel Steward who he described as "the best trainer of his era." Other team members to get an honorable mention were Harold Knight and Courtney Shand. Lennox also praised the unsung members of Team Lewis who had done so much work for him behind the scenes.
The champion closed with the words "Let the next era begin."
Lewis ends his career with a record of 41-2-1. He later avenged both losses and the draw.
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