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You are in: Boxing: Lewis v Tyson fight |
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Sunday, 9 June, 2002, 16:07 GMT 17:07 UK
Lewis revels in 'defining' fight
Tyson had no answer to Lewis' reach advantage
Lennox Lewis believes that knocking out Mike Tyson in eight rounds is his "defining" victory. The heavyweight champion battered Tyson for the majority of the contest and the fight ended when the former champion failed to rise from a second knockdown.
"This was my defining fight," Lewis said at the post-fight news conference.
"People had to see me against Mike Tyson before they believed that I was the best fighter on the planet. "It's been a great, long road and I've finally completed what I wanted to do. I'm just glad I was able to come through. "I'd like to thank the team of people behind me - they've made me the man that I am." Tyson was generous in his tribute for Lewis. "He was splendid, a masterful boxer," Tyson said. "He's a magnificent, prolific fighter." Lewis said that experience was one of the factors that allowed him to dominate Tyson. "I've been in this game for such a long time - I'm a seasoned professional. "I realised he wasn't able to get out of the way of my jab. In this fight, my jab definitely paid off. "Basically, it's difficult to be aggressive against me."
Lewis also admitted there was a "possibility" he may retire now, but he said that he just wanted to enjoy the victory and rest for a few weeks. He also revealed that he had broken his hand during the fight.
Tyson's trainer Ronnie Shields spoke on the behalf of the beaten fighter, who was unsurprisingly absent from the press conference.
"Mike Tyson fought a very courageous fight tonight - he gave the best he could. "I don't know what he is going to do now." And then addressing the champion, Shields said: "Lennox, you are a great champion."
Emanuel Steward, Lewis' trainer, was full of praise for his fighter. "I am very proud of Lennox - I thought he fought the perfect fight. "People will now realise that Lennox is the best heavyweight since Muhammad Ali."
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