Bluffing Or Lion
Lennox Lewis a.k.a. The Lion is undoubtedly one of the greatest boxers of all time. He is one of only three boxers, alongside Mohammed Ali and Evander Holyfield, to have won the Heavyweight Championship on three separate occasions. Having seen off all comers for the best part of ten years (along with winning an Olympic Gold Medal in 1988), Lewis has turned his attentions to the games of chess and, more recently, poker. He played in this year’s World Series of Poker Main Event representing 888.com.
Having taken up chess during his fighting days as a way of relaxing, Lennox Lewis left the board behind and headed to Las Vegas to play in the World Series of Poker. Going up against the famous and infamous of the poker world may not be as terrifying as taking hits from the likes of Viktor Klitchko and Mike Tyson, but there were still butterflies in The Lion’s stomach. We caught up with Lennox for an exclusive chat about his experience at the WSOP, and to find out about life outside the ring.
You have achieved some great things in your career, both personally and professionally. What do you see as your greatest ever achievement?
Above all, my children.
How important do you think it is to serve a proper apprenticeship with good guidance and mentors? And also, do you think many young British boxing prospects are leaving the amateur ranks too early in their quest to make the professional grade?
Going through the amateur ranks is important because it prepares you for your professional career. It allows you to get numerous fights under your belt so you can experience different fighter’s styles and you get to travel around the world.
Do you think you should have won the fight with Holyfield, and was beating the livin’ daylights out of Tyson your most satisfactory performance?
Yes, I should have won, but I’m glad that the public was behind me; that made the official loss easier to take. As for Tyson, beating him was good. The fact that he bit my leg at the press conference really motivated me to win.
I was wondering what your thinking about the old fighters that came before you were? People like Ali, Fraser, Corbit...
I have true respect for all of the boxers who came before me.
If you could choose to go back in time and fight any great heavyweight from the past, who would you choose and how do you think the bout would turn out?
I get this question a lot. I really don’t play ‘what ifs’, because I have respect for the past and I think each era was unique and shouldn’t be compared. That being said, it would be fun to spar with Jack Johnson.
What’s your favourite Rocky film? Could you take him?
I liked the one with Mr. T in it. I would beat Rocky because I’m a pugilist – an actual artist of the sport.
In the ring when you were unfortunate enough to be knocked out, you always exacted revenge on your opponent. Will you do the same in the poker world?
You can’t prepare for poker the way you prepare for a fight, and in poker you don’t get hurt – although your bankroll might! Because of this, and the amount of luck in the game, I won’t come looking for pugilistic revenge.
Where did you learn your poker skills?
Just playing with my friends, playing online, and watching it on TV.
Is it possible to meet you in tournaments online the future? If so, what will be your nick: ‘The Lion’, ‘LennoxL’, or ‘Pugilist Specialist’?
I should be around on 888.com, but as for my nick, I’m not sure. I may play under tons of different names, so that you may not even know you’re playing me.
2 comments
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Posted by Kempo1987 – 14 Sep 2007, 1:13 PM
Great guy. i hope he's as good at poker as he is at fighting, we'll have a great champion on our tables!
Posted by JoeCollins – 17 Sep 2007, 3:59 PM
I've never liked the guy, but respect him now for settling down to a gentlemans game