20 things you never knew about Lewis

Mum's cooking keeps him happy

1) Like many footballers, Lennox owns a horse, named Friendly Warning, which is bred from the Aga Khan's stables.

2) In March of this year, he was featured in a special edition of stamps sold by the Jamaica Post Office.

3) He is a supporter of West Ham United .

4) Although he won a gold medal at the Seoul Olympics in 1988, Lewis also competed at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, where he reached the quarter-finals.

5)He was offered £500,000 to turn professional after the LA games, but elected to continue his amateur career.

6)Despite having failed to beat Lennox in two fights, Evander Holyfield says Lewis is the fighter he most enjoys watching in the ring.

7) His favourite food is West Indian cooking preferably jerk chicken, made by his mother Violet.

8) While a part of the Canadian boxing team for the 1988 Olympics, he earned a reputation as a serial practical joker.

9) Despite his close associations with promoters Frank Maloney and Panos Eliades, Lennox now manages himself.

10) Lewis was involved in the largest title fight ever when he knocked out Michael Grant in April of this year. Both men stood above six foot five and weighed in excess of 240 pounds.

11) Lennox's only public appearance at Wembley Stadium was to lead out the British Bulldog at the World Wrestling Federation's Summerslam in 1992.

12) Apart from chess, Lennox enjoys playing basketball, tennis, football and video games.

13) His childhood ambition was to become a fireman.

14) He hopes to enter the movie business after he finishes with boxing.

15) His ideal woman is one who is 'beautiful on the inside as well as on the outside'.

16) Like many boxers, his boxing idol is Muhammad Ali.

17) He could have fought Mike Tyson in 1996.

18) His plans for 2001 revolve around one fighter - Mr Tyson. He wants to fight the 34-year-old in the Spring and is prepared for a rematch as well.

19) Despite having changed trainers a couple of times during his career, Lewis has remained faithful to conditioner Courtney Shand.

20) Of fighters still active, only American Bernard Hopkins and Mexican Ricardo Lopez have held their world titles longer than Lewis.