Lennox Lewis is a coward. Nevermind the 41-1-2 record over a 14-year career, nor the title as reigning heavyweight champion of the world. Lewis’ decision not to agree to a rematch against Vitali Klitschko indicates that he is afraid to respectfully pass on the title.
Lewis is breaking unwritten rules of athletic competition: the champ cannot quit at the last moment before being defeated. He is like that kid playing tag on the playground who always calls timeout right before he gets tagged, then later brags about how he never gets tagged. I hate that kid.
On June 21, 2003, Lewis and Klitschko battled at the Staples Center in Los Angeles for six complete rounds, after which the referee declared Lewis the champion, despite the fact that he was losing to Klitschko by points. The massive gash above Klitschko’s eye could not be mended, and the ref was forced to call a technical knockout.
Under such controversial conditions, it only seems fair that there would be a rematch to determine which fighter deserved the title. This perspective has been shared by the World Boxing Council, which gave Lewis until March 1 of this year to agree to a rematch or be stripped of the title.
This is a painfully lenient stance for the WBC to take in this case. Because it is an issue of the heavyweight title of the world, it seems that the champion should have to earn it or at least be given the chance to earn it.
It’s like Lewis was just testing the water in June and has now decided that it’s not the right temperature for him. This fight should not be a matter of agreeing to fight or not, but rather when to fight.
No other current heavyweight champion of the world has retired since Rocky Marciano did so in 1956, and before that since Gene Tunney did in 1928.
So does this move mean that Lewis is smart or a sissy?
He’s smart because there is nothing binding him to this fight. He has nothing to gain (that he doesn’t already have) and everything to lose to Klitschko. Retiring would have been a viable solution should Lewis have been leading by points last June. But he wasn’t.
That is why he is a sissy. Lewis may be a great fighter, but he refuses to fight anyone who he is not guaranteed a win against. His last career-defining match versus Mike Tyson may have been a milestone, but there is more to being a heavyweight champ than beating the last title-bearer; it means staying on top of the new competition, too.
I would have a greater respect for Lewis if he were to declare his retirement effective after a deciding match against Klitschko. Until then, Lewis is just telling the world that he knows Klitschko is better, but wants to retain his title. Coward.
