Lennox Lewis was one of the most dominant heavyweights of the modern era.
A physically imposing boxer with refined skills, a powerful jab, and ring IQ, Lewis became undisputed champion and beat nearly every top contender of his time. But even the best can be vulnerable – especially when they underestimate their opponent.
In April 2001, Lewis faced Hasim Rahman in a title defence held in South Africa. The bout was seen as a tune-up before a big-money showdown with Mike Tyson.
Rahman, while a good fighter, had never fought for a world title and entered the ring a 15-to-1 underdog. Most observers expected Lewis to win with ease.
However, ‘The Lion’ had spent much of training camp filming a movie and arrived in Johannesburg late, ill-prepared for the altitude and environment.
Rahman, in contrast, was fully acclimatised and determined. As the fight unfolded, Lewis looked sluggish and flat. In Round 5, Rahman landed a clean overhand right that caught the champion flush. He went down hard and couldn’t beat the count.
The result was one of the biggest upsets in heavyweight history. Rahman was crowned the new champion, albeit briefly – Lewis won the rematch later that year with a brutal knockout. Still, Rahman’s upset win remains a cautionary tale of complacency and a reminder that in boxing, one punch can change everything.
On the two-fight saga, Lewis later said:
“When Hasim Rahman knocked me out in 2001, it was the lowest point of my career. I’d been champion, undefeated for years, and I got careless. People said I was done, that I’d never get the title back. I took it personal, he talked about my mom, my life, and I couldn’t let that stand.
“Training for the rematch was hell, I had to prove I wasn’t a fluke. When I knocked him out in the fourth round, it wasn’t just about the belt, it was about showing the world I could come back from a loss and still be the best. That’s what boxing is: you fall, you rise.”
