LAS VEGAS, NV. — Superstar heavyweight LENNOX LEWIS, the last undisputed heavyweight champion and who won an Olympic gold medal with a victory over Riddick Bowe and scored professional victories over boxing legends such as Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Vitali Klitschko, confirmed Wednesday that he will return to Las Vegas this weekend to attend the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame’s third annual induction gala at Caesars Palace on Saturday, August 8.
Lewis is the latest in a gaggle of stars who have announced they’ll attend the popular gala induction ceremony. In addition to Lewis the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame has confirmed that Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Felix Trinidad, Marco Antonio Barrera, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad and Roger Mayweather will also attend the high-profile event as the newest members of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.
Lewis, who was 41-2-1 with 32 knockouts and had a win over every man he ever faced in the ring, is one of the headliners of the NVBHOF’s 2015 class of inductees, chosen in the non-Nevada boxer category.
Lewis avenged the only two losses of his career, stopping both Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman after losing to them earlier.
Lewis was a classic boxer with a powerful punch. He’s probably best known for his 2002 win over Tyson, where he won every round before stopping him in the eighth round.
He held all, or a version of, the heavyweight title from 1993 until 1994 and then again from 1997 through the end of his career in 2003
Lewis had great success in Nevada and avenged both of his losses in Las Vegas. He was 8-0 in his Nevada career and won fights at both Caesars Palace and Caesars Tahoe.
In the latter part of his fighting career, Lewis joined HBO Sports as an expert analyst and was a familiar figure at ringside for many of the biggest bouts of the late 20th and early 21st century in Las Vegas.
The Hall was founded by noted boxing broadcaster Rich Marotta. Its chief operating officer is Michelle Corrales-Lewis, whose late husband, Diego Corrales, was an inaugural inductee into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. For more information, phone 702-3-NVBHOF, or 702-368-2463.
Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), in association with Global Legacy Boxing (GLB) and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), made an official announcement this week, along with Lennox Lewis, that Light Heavyweight World Champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson will defend his titles against Tommy “Kryptonite” Karpency on Sept. 11 at Toronto’ Ricoh Coliseum in “The Revival: “KO in TO”.
The upcoming World Championship title fight card will also see Canadian Heavyweight Champ Dillon “Big Country” Carman defend his title against legendary Donovan “Razor” Ruddock.
Global Legacy President Les Woods s, :”I am so pleased to see The Champ, Lennox Lewis, recognized by the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. It’s a privilege and honor to call him my friend and to be a partner teamed with him in Toronto to promote Boxing in Canada.”
Jessie Reid: “We’re Coming Well-Prepared and Ready to Bust Washington’s Heart.”
Hall of Fame Trainer Jessie Reid has some surprising words about Al Haymon-managed heavyweight prospect Gerald “El Gallo Negro” Washington (11-0, 8 KOs).
Reid is serving as co-trainer (along with Aaron Navarro) for 6′ 8″ heavyweight Skipp “Strictly Business” Scott (16-1, 10 KOs) in his upcoming fight against Washington in the 10-round co-main event on Thursday, April 3, when Golden Boy Live! presents “Night Of The Heavyweights,” a tripleheader of heavyweight action on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes, from the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.
“I think he can be outhustled and is somebody we can bang around. He tries to be cute, but he’s not a cutie. Honestly, he strikes me as more of a sparring partner,” said Reid. “If you come in not properly prepared, he can outfight you, but we’re coming in very well-prepared and ready to take it to him and bust his heart.”
Reid, who has handled the careers of such greats as Roger Mayweather, Lamon Brewster, Johnny Tapia, Orlando Canizales, Reggie Johnson and Bruce Curry among the 23 World Champions and over 40 world-rated boxers, says he likes what he sees from Scott.
“I’ve been watching Skipp Scott and he hasn’t lost a fight in seven years. He’s a very big, tough guy. He’s intimidating and he can back it up. You knock him down, he gets back up and I like that. He’s a guy with tons of desire and heart.”
Reid says Scott’s style is perfect for his legendary style of coaching.
“Skipp is a fighter, not a boxer. I can help him with his boxing skills when he needs them, but fighters win by fighting. Boxers use their abilities for defensive moves and they’re very boring at times. I’d rather see somebody who has the boxing skills when they need them, but also be a real finisher with killer instinct. When I look at Skipp Scott, that’s what I see he could be. I’ve worked with plenty of great boxers, but I’m the kind of guy who is a motivator for punchers. I’m excited. Skipp is a real fighter with real heart and I know I can help him.”
In the 10-round main event that night, unbeaten Cuban Luis Ortiz will take on long-time top contender and world-title challenger Monte Barrett and, in the televised opener, 2012 U.S. Olympian Dominic “Trouble” Breazeale will face veteran Nagy Aguilera.
