CBS SportsLine wire reports
Oct. 30, 1998
LONDON -- WBC heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis went to Buckingham Palace on Friday to pick up a new title -- Member of the Order of the British Empire.
Lewis, in top hat and tails, received his MBE from Prince Charles and said his next goal is to unify the world heavyweight crown.
"He asked me about my next fight and I told him I would be bringing the two other world heavyweight titles back to Britain," Lewis said.
Lewis is expected to fight Evander Holyfield, who holds the IBF and WBA titles, on March 13.
"I've got an MBE now and I am the WBC champion, so now I just need the IBF and WBA," Lewis said. "And it's just as well I know my ABCs.''
The MBE is an honorary title bestowed by Queen Elizabeth II for distinguished achievement. It ranks below knighthood, as well as the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).