After winning Olympic gold in 1988, Lewis embarked on a professional journey that included numerous marquee fights against some of the sport’s biggest names. 

In his lengthy career that stretched over numerous eras, Lewis was able to register major wins over the likes of Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, and Vitali Klitschko. 

After defeating Klitschko in the summer of 2003, Lewis walked away from the sport as an active fighter, but he has made multiple returns in training and punditry capacities.  

Holyfield could cross his arms like George Foreman

During his career, Lewis had to overcome many defensive fighters due to the explosive power he possessed, especially in his huge right hand. 

In 44 fights, the majority coming at the business end of the heavyweight division, who does Lewis consider the most technically sound defensive fighter he ever faced? 

In 1999, Lewis fought Holyfield twice, a controversial draw before securing victory in the rematch, and it is the man from Atlanta who he credits as having the best defence 

“Holyfield had excellent variety to his defence. He could cross his arms like George Foreman, but he was also well schooled in the traditional type of defence you get taught in the amateurs,” said Lewis when speaking to The Ring . 

“Evander presented a real challenge, and I had to put in a lot of effort to break through. I couldn’t just land one or two shots and be content; it had to be threes, fours and fives.”

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