Lennox Lewis retires!
Champion says "Let the next era begin."
<!-- #BeginDate format:Am1 -->February 6, 2004<!-- #EndDate -->
By Keith Holland
World heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis announced his retirement today at a press conference at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, England. Many expected the announcement as Lewis stood to address the assembled press hordes.
"It's a special day in my life - I'd like to announce that June 21 2003 was my last fight as a professional boxer," Lewis stated. "...I will definitely be the third heavyweight boxer to retire as heavyweight champion. I can promise you that. I am proud of being heavyweight champion. It's not easy being heavyweight champion of the world. It's very hard to achieve. It's even harder to keep, to stay at the top. I am a person who believes if you can't give 110% you shouldn't do it. I've given a 110% in my sport. I respect boxing a great deal. It has done so much for me. One of the reasons I am retiring is that I respect the sport so much. It is time for the younger generation of boxers to make their own route to become heavyweight champion.