Lennox Lewis Praises Vitali Klitschko: 'The Drive He Still Has Is Amazing'

There have been times in the past when former heavyweight champion, the great Lennox Lewis of the United Kingdom and Canada, has sounded a bit defensive on the topic of the Klitschko brothers, who took over the heavyweight division after Lewis departed the scene.

Lewis for a time seemed obsessed with seeing the Klitschkos lose, even offering to give various Klitschko opponents like Corrie Sanders and Juan Carlos Gomez tips on how to beat them. 

Perhaps this defensiveness was because some in boxing questioned Lewis's ultimate refusal to rematch Vitali after their classic bout in 2003, a fight in which Lewis, trailing on all scorecards, won when cuts to Klitschko's eye forced a stoppage.

Time, however, has vindicated Lewis's decision to quit fighting, as his stature has only grown in retirement. 

Often unfairly derided in the United States as being a jab artist and "boring" when he was still fighting (much as the Klitschkos are today), Lewis is now looked at much more favorably than he was in the past, any flaws real or imagined that he had now largely forgotten.

Perhaps that is the reason that a more confident and relaxed Lewis now feels comfortable giving the Klitschko brothers the kudos they deserve for dominating the heavyweight scene post-Lennox.

Lewis, who will be at ringside calling Vitali's WBC title fight this Saturday against Odlanier Solis from Germany, said in a conference call yesterday that he is very impressed by the elder Klitschko's accomplishments . 

“I think it stacks up very high,” Lewis said of Vitali’s heavyweight legacy. 

“To come back from a layoff like he did, and to have just a tremendous fight winning the championship back again is a tremendous accomplishment.  And even to continue winning at this‒at the age he's at and still have the drive that he does is amazing.”

Lewis also saluted “the Klitschko era” of heavyweight boxing, and gave his opinion on Vitali's and his brother Wladimir's Hall of Fame credentials.

“It is definitely the era of the Klitschkos,” said Lewis.  “The fact is that both of them hold titles and they're really the kings of the heavyweight division right now."

“And as far as the Hall of Fame, that's an automatic question.  You know whenever have we had two heavyweight brothers ever holding titles at the same time?  I mean, that's an award in itself.  So, yes, I would definitely induct them on just that premise alone.”

Vitali Klitschko, also on the conference call, was just as effusive in his praise of Lewis.

“I never met such a strong opponent as Lennox Lewis,” Vitali said.  “I never looked so horrible after a fight like in that fight.  And definitely it was one of the hardest fights in my career.

“And I'm very appreciative as Lennox gave me a chance to prove my skills against the strongest boxer all time.  And I have a lot of experience as amateur, as a professional, and I can definitely say Lennox was (the) hardest fight in my career.”