Lennox Lewis says former heavyweight champion should retire before ‘suffering any more damage’

Lennox Lewis knows better than most when it is the perfect time to retire from the sport.

The heavyweight legend rose to the top of his division during the 1990s, most notably claiming a win over Evander Holyfield to become undisputed champion.

Lewis ended his career in the early 2000s after victories over Mike Tyson and Vitali Klitschko, finishing up with 41 wins from his 44 fights, and having beaten every man he ever stepped in the ring with.

He now feels it is time for another former world heavyweight champion to retire, with hard-hitting American Deontay Wilder the man in question.

Posting on social media after Wilder suffered a knockout defeat to Zhilei Zhang, Lewis said ‘The Bronze Bomber’ needs to hang up the gloves.

“The Bronze Bomber told us before the fight that he would retire if he didn’t win. I think that’s a wise decision. He’s more than carved out a life in which he can take care or his daughter, so before he suffers any more damage, it’s best to leave the game with your faculties intact because there’s a LOT more life to live after boxing.”

Wilder was once the long-time WBC heavyweight champion, holding the belt for five years and making 10 successful defences before he was eventually dethroned by Tyson Fury.

‘The Bronze Bomber’ suffered two stoppage defeats to Fury, before being beaten on points by Joseph Parker and then the aforementioned knockout loss to Zhang in June 2024.

Wilder has since returned with a win over the unheralded Tyrrell Herndon earlier this year, but it is clear to see exactly why Lewis thinks it is time for the American to retire.