It took Britain's Lennox Lewis 5.39 min to defend both his WBC and IBF world heavyweight titles in London Saturday when referee Larry O'Connell stopped his fight with South African challenger Francois Botha in round two.
O'Connell intervened after a clinical Lewis combination had put Botha down and almost out of the ring. The South African regained his feet, but the British official felt he was unable to continue.
Lewis rose to 37-1 with one draw after the knockout at the London Arena.
The 34-year-old London-born Lewis was the holder of all three heavyweight belts but was stripped of his WBA title by a New York judge after refusing to fight their number one contender Henry Akinwande.
Lewis said he knew from the moment he was putting his gloves on that things would work out well in his eighth world title defense.
Lewis told The Associated Press, "I felt good. I felt great in the dressing room. I wanted to come out here and do what comes naturally."
Lewis, (37-1 with one draw) who earned about $6 million for the fight, was unfazed by American former undisputed world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson who made threats to rip out Lewis' heart and feed it to him and eat his children.
Lewis declared that Tyson is his ultimate target before retirement, “tell Tyson to either put up or shut up,” The AP quoted.
Evander Holyfield, who Lewis beat to take the undisputed belt, is preparing to fight with John Ruiz for the vacant WBA crown taken from Lewis by judges.
But as far as the boxing world is concerned Lewis, who is next likely to face New Zealander David Tua, remains the undisputed champion before that matter is resolved, and whoever wins that fight, is clearly still the top dog in the heavyweight division – (Several Sources)
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