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| | Monday, 10 June, 2002, 15:52 GMT 16:52 UK Foreman rates Lewis as best ever Frazier, Foreman and Ali are three of the greatest Former heavyweight champion George Foreman has claimed Lennox Lewis is the best heavyweight of all-time after beating Mike Tyson. Before the Memphis clash Foreman claimed the Briton was the best heavyweight since Muhammad Ali. But after his thrilling demolition of Iron Mike, Foreman, who was beaten by Muhammad Ali in the 'Rumble in the Jungle' in 1974, believes Lewis is the undisputed king of the ring.
"Lennox is beyond doubt the greatest heavyweight of all-time," Foreman said on Monday. "He is not second any more, he is there at the top of the tree. It reminded me of a young George Foreman and an elusive Muhammad Ali - everything you want in a fighter." Lewis' ranking alongside the heavyweight greats was also backed up by another fight legend - 'Smoking' Joe Frazier. "Lennox is right up there with George Foreman and Muhammad Ali and he has proved himself the best heavyweight out there," Frazier said. Lewis' trainer Emanuel Steward has often claimed that his fighter is the finest heavyweight to step into the ring since Ali dominated the division in the 1960s and 70s. "I have known for a long time now that Lennox is the best heavyweight since Ali and the world should now acknowledge that," he said. Anything's possible Meanwhile, Lewis has said he will consider Tyson's calls for a rematch. The former champion asked Lewis for another shot at the title following Saturday's bout, and the 36-year-old Briton said it is not out of the question despite his comfortable win.
Lewis said: "I will definitely consider a rematch. It's possible. Anything is possible." However, Tyson has still not decided whether he will carry on fighting after finding himself second best in Memphis. "I might just fade into oblivion," Tyson said. "I'm just fortunate Lewis didn't kill me in there. I don't know if I can ever beat him if he fights like that. "I might just to go New York and feed my pigeons on the roof." Steward sees no reason for the two fighters to come face-to-face for a second time after Lewis left no doubt who was the better fighter. "For Lennox it was like a man playing with a boy," he said. "He just did what he wanted. It was one of the most systematic beatings I've ever seen a heavyweight take." Tyson's manager Shelly Finkel is believed to be keen for Tyson to hang up his gloves after admitting he knew the 35-year-old was a beaten man early on. "I knew from the fourth round onwards that Mike would get knocked out," Finkel said. Should Lewis continue he will have to meet American Chris Byrd next or face losing his IBF version of the world heavyweight title. | |
See also:  08 Jun 02 | Lewis v Tyson fight Top Lewis v Tyson fight stories now: Links to more Lewis v Tyson fight stories are at the foot of the page. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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