Who won the fight between Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson? This is a question that has sparked debates and discussions among boxing enthusiasts for years. The fight, which took place on June 8, 2002, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, was a highly anticipated event that pitted two of the greatest heavyweight champions against each other.
The fight was a rematch of their previous encounter in 1999, where Lewis emerged as the winner. However, the 2002 bout was different in many aspects. For one, it was the first time that Tyson, who was then 35 years old, faced a fighter who was younger and in better physical condition. Additionally, Lewis had been preparing for this fight for over a year, while Tyson had been inactive for several years.
The fight was a highly competitive one, with both fighters showcasing their respective strengths. Lewis, known for his power and boxing skills, dominated the early rounds with his superior boxing ability. However, Tyson, who had a reputation for his knockout power, managed to land several powerful punches that had Lewis reeling in pain.
As the fight progressed, Lewis began to tire, and Tyson capitalized on this opportunity. In the 8th round, Tyson landed a powerful left hook that sent Lewis crashing to the canvas. Although Lewis managed to get up, the referee, who had already deducted a point from Lewis for a previous knockdown, waved off the fight, declaring Tyson the winner by technical knockout (TKO).
The decision was met with mixed reactions from fans and boxing experts. Some believed that Lewis had been dominated by Tyson and that the referee had made the right call, while others argued that Lewis had been robbed of a victory. Regardless of the outcome, the fight between Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson will always be remembered as one of the greatest heavyweight showdowns in boxing history.
