On June 8, 2002, Lennox Lewis was a part of what would become the highest grossing fight of all time against Iron Mike Tyson, a bout that Lewis dominated in Memphis, Tennessee, knocking Tyson out in the eighth round to retain his IBF, IBO and WBC heavyweight titles. Ironically, one of the fighters on the undercard of that fight, Manny Pacquiao, will take on Floyd Mayweather on Saturday, May 2 in what will undoubtedly become the highest-grossing fight of all time. Lewis spoke exclusively to rolling out at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to get his assessment of this historic fight.
“I think that Floyd has an advantage because he hasn’t lost yet, he’s a lot taller, and he wants it,” Lewis said of the undefeated Mayweather. “I think that Pacquiao has got a great style, he’s got great quickness. I think it’s a great match-up between both fighters.”
As fate would have it, I spoke with Lennox at an event in New York City five years ago as Mayweather vs Pacquiao was first talked about. In that conversation, Lewis simply said “Mayweather” in response to who he thought would win.
Five years later, I asked Lewis how excited he was for this fight to finally have come to fruition.
“I’m here, aren’t I? I came here because I said I couldn’t miss it,” Lewis said. “HBO said I couldn’t miss it, so they called me in as well so I’m here working and enjoying the time.”
Lewis is one of dozens of former boxing champions who couldn’t miss this fight. The eyes of not only the boxing world and the sports world, but the entertainment world will be on the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas to finally see who will be victorious in the ring battle between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
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