in full Lennox Claudius Lewis
born Sept. 2, 1965, London, Eng.
British boxer.
His professional career began in 1989 in England. He won the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title in 1992, lost it in 1994, and recaptured it in 1997. In 1999 he faced American Evander Holyfield , who held the heavyweight titles of the World Boxing Association (WBA) and the International Boxing Federation (IBF). In a controversial decision, the fight was called a draw. In the rematch that same year Lewis emerged as the undisputed champion, thereby unifying the heavyweight title. (The IBF and WBA portions of the title were later taken from Lewis because of disputes concerning mandatory fights, but he retained the WBC title and was still considered the undisputed champion by many in boxing.) In his 2002 bout with American Mike Tyson , Lewis knocked Tyson out in the eighth round.