Lennox Lewis is a retired British-Canadian professional boxer who competed from 1989 to 2003. He is a three-time world heavyweight champion and the last undisputed heavyweight champion.
Lewis is regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers in history due to his dominance, technique, and ability to defeat some of the top fighters of his era.
Here we take a look at Lennox Lewis’s net worth, career overview, boxing record, and more.
Lennox Lewis’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lennox Claudius Lewis |
| Date of Birth | September 2, 1965 |
| Place of Birth | West Ham, London, England |
| Nationality | British-Canadian |
| Division | Heavyweight |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) |
| Reach | 84 in (213 cm) |
| Professional Debut | June 27, 1989 |
Lennox Claudius Lewis was born on September 2, 1965, in West Ham, London, England. Raised in Canada from the age of 12, Lewis represented Canada as an amateur boxer and won a gold medal at the 1988 Olympic Games.
Known for his towering height, long reach, and powerful jab, Lewis transitioned into the professional ranks in 1989, where he built a legendary career that saw him defeat several boxing legends.
Wife
Lennox Lewis’s wife, Violet Chang, is a former Miss Jamaica. The couple married in 2005 after Lewis retired from professional boxing. They have four children together.
Professional Career Overview
Lewis turned professional in 1989 after winning an Olympic gold medal. Early in his career, he fought mostly in England and Canada.
His breakthrough came in 1992 when he won the WBC heavyweight title after the retirement of Riddick Bowe, who refused to fight him. Lewis defended the title multiple times, including notable victories over Frank Bruno and Tony Tucker.
In 1999, Lewis fought Evander Holyfield in a highly anticipated unification bout, which controversially ended in a draw. However, in their rematch later that year, Lewis decisively won, becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion by holding the WBC, IBF, and WBA titles simultaneously.
His most famous victory came in 2002 when he knocked out Mike Tyson in the eighth round, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.
Lewis retired in 2003 after defeating Vitali Klitschko in a dramatic fight where Lewis won by TKO due to cuts, retaining his WBC and IBO titles. He finished his career with a record of 41 wins (32 KOs), 2 losses, and 1 draw.
Achievements
- Three-Time World Heavyweight Champion
- Undisputed Heavyweight Champion
- Olympic Gold Medalist (1988)
- Notable victories over Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, and Vitali Klitschko
Beyond Boxing
In 2000, Lennox Lewis appeared on Reflection Eternal’s debut album Train of Thought, giving a shoutout on the track “Down for the Count.” The following year, Lewis made a cameo in the film Ocean’s Eleven, where he staged a “boxing” match with Wladimir Klitschko.
In 2002, Vince McMahon of WWE reportedly offered Lewis £5 million to step into the wrestling world. Talks were held regarding a possible match with Brock Lesnar at the No Way Out pay-per-view in February 2003.
Lewis was already familiar with wrestling, having accompanied The British Bulldog to the ring at SummerSlam 1992, where Bulldog competed against Bret “The Hitman” Hart for the Intercontinental Championship.
Lewis also made an appearance in 2002 on an episode of the Disney Channel series The Jersey, playing himself in the episode titled “It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad Jersey.” In 2003, he had a brief cameo in Jennifer Lopez and LL Cool J’s music video “All I Have.” He ventured into acting in 2006, starring in Johnny Was alongside Vinnie Jones.
He competed in the World Series of Poker in 2006 and 2007 but was eliminated without winning any prize money. In 2008, Lewis participated in NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice, finishing in fourth place.
In addition to entertainment, Lewis has been involved in charitable work. He made a public service announcement against domestic violence for the organization Do Something.
In 2011, Lewis was awarded an honorary Doctorate from Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, Canada. He also established the Lennox Lewis Foundation, which supports disadvantaged children across Canada, Jamaica, the UK, and the US.
Lewis is also a lifelong supporter of West Ham United, his hometown football club. On May 24, 2018, he participated in an Oval Office ceremony to announce the posthumous pardon of boxer Jack Johnson.
Lennox Lewis’s Net Worth Details
Lennox Lewis’s net worth is estimated to be $140 million as of 2025. Lewis earned some of the highest fight purses of his era, including a reported $35 million for his bout against Mike Tyson.
His total career earnings, including endorsements and pay-per-view shares, are estimated to be over $150 million.
Fight Purse Breakdown
| Fight | Purse |
|---|---|
| vs. Mike Tyson (2002) | $35 million |
| vs. Evander Holyfield (1999) | $10 million |
| vs. Vitali Klitschko (2003) | $15 million |
Pay-per-view Bouts
United States
| Date | Fight | Billing | Buys | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 October 1997 | Lewis vs. Golota | Lewis-Golota | 300,000 | — |
| 13 March 1999 | Holyfield vs. Lewis | Undisputed | 1,200,000 | $54,000,000 |
| 13 November 1999 | Holyfield vs. Lewis II | Unfinished Business | 850,000 | $12,800,000 |
| 29 April 2000 | Lewis vs. Grant | Two Big | 340,000 | — |
| 11 November 2000 | Lewis vs. Tua | Royal Rampage | 420,000 | — |
| 17 November 2001 | Rahman vs. Lewis II | Final Judgement | 460,000 | $23,000,000 |
| 8 June 2002 | Lewis vs. Tyson | Lewis-Tyson: Is On | 1,970,000 | $106,900,000 |
| Total | 7 pay-per-view fights | 5,540,000 | ||
United Kingdom
| Date | Fight | Network | Buys | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 March 1999 | Evander Holyfield vs. Lennox Lewis | Sky Box Office | 400,000 | |
| 8 June 2002 | Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson | Sky Box Office | 750,000 | |
| Total UK sales | Sky Box Office | 1,150,000 |
Endorsements
Lennox Lewis has had several endorsement deals throughout his career, including with brands like Adidas and EA Sports. Post-retirement, he has remained in the public eye as a boxing analyst, further contributing to his income through media engagements.
Professional Boxing Records
| Record | Wins | Losses | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 44 | 41 | 2 |
FAQs
1. Who is Lennox Lewis?
Lennox Lewis is a retired professional boxer and commentator, widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. Born on September 2, 1965, in London to Jamaican parents, he held the undisputed heavyweight championship and won Olympic gold for Canada in 1988.
2. What is Lennox Lewis’s boxing record?
Lennox Lewis had a professional record of 44 fights: 41 wins (32 by knockout), 2 losses, and 1 draw. He defeated notable opponents like Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, and Vitali Klitschko during his career.
3. What were Lennox Lewis’s major achievements?
Lewis was a three-time world heavyweight champion, a two-time lineal champion, and the last undisputed heavyweight champion. He also won an Olympic gold medal in the super-heavyweight division at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
4. Why is Lennox Lewis considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxers?
Lewis is celebrated for his technical skill, size, and ability to adapt in the ring. He defeated every opponent he faced in his career, avenging his two losses, and unified the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles to become undisputed champion.
5. When did Lennox Lewis retire from boxing?
Lennox Lewis retired on February 6, 2004, after defeating Vitali Klitschko in his final fight on June 21, 2003. He became the first reigning heavyweight champion to retire since Rocky Marciano in 1956.
6. Did Lennox Lewis represent Canada or Britain?
Lewis represented Canada as an amateur, winning Olympic gold in 1988. However, he turned professional under the British flag and became the first British boxer to hold the undisputed heavyweight title since Bob Fitzsimmons in 1899.
7. What awards has Lennox Lewis received?
Lewis was awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 1999 and CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2002 for his contributions to boxing. He was inducted into both Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (2008) and the International Boxing Hall of Fame (2009).
8. What are some of Lennox Lewis’s most famous fights?
Some iconic fights include his victories over Mike Tyson (2002), Evander Holyfield (1999), Hasim Rahman (2001 rematch), and Vitali Klitschko (2003). His fight against Tyson was one of the most anticipated bouts in boxing history.
9. How did Lennox Lewis avenge his losses?
Lewis lost to Oliver McCall in 1994 but regained the WBC title by defeating McCall in a rematch in 1997. Similarly, after losing to Hasim Rahman in 2001, he reclaimed his titles by knocking Rahman out later that year.
10. What is Lennox Lewis doing now?
Since retiring, Lewis has worked as a boxing commentator and remained active in promoting youth sports programs. He is also an avid chess player and has funded after-school chess initiatives for disadvantaged children.
