Lennox Lewis reveals what it takes to become a great heavweight

Michael Grant on Lennox Lewis

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO is still straight ahead of the competition; no one is boxing anyone to prepare for him, they are just taking fights for the money and they lack great coaching.

To beat a great champion, you need a great trainer. These guys have great trainers but heavyweight trainers need to be different. You donโ€™t tell a small guy to push their opponent, but heavyweights lean and push, there are a lot of things to learn. Deontay Wilder started boxing a bit late and still has a lot to learn.

In my 15th fight I was boxing for the British title against Gary Mason. People were saying it was too early but I picked my fights as a straight build-up in the quality of opposition.

Like David Haye, he goes in against Klitschko and what did he do to prepare? Boxing Audley Harrison? Alright. Klitschko has a great jab and you have to work out how to counter that jab. Hayeโ€™s way was to wait for Wladimir to commit then go for one big shot. Heโ€™s the best in the world so to try a one-two against him is impossible, you need to break him down first. then disguise the one-two so he feels it.

Bermane Stiverne and Wilder are upcoming future stars with a lot still to learn, they are missing the old-time teaching. Emanuel Steward was a great teacher, a trainer not a coach. These guys have coaches.

When I was fighting I would try to train with the best guys possible but that means guys you may fight down the road, so youโ€™re both checking each other out. Wladimir is smart. He invites these upcoming guys in, flatters their ego โ€“ says they โ€˜did a good jobโ€™ โ€“ but he still shows he can hurt you.

Then Wladimir remembers he used to beat you and the other fighter remembers that too. Itโ€™s how you react to that. I trained with Razor Ruddock who later, when we were about to fight, said, โ€˜Iโ€™ve still got your blood on my boots.โ€™ Itโ€™s the worst thing he could have said to me. I thought, โ€˜Now Iโ€™m older and more mature, Iโ€™m gonna take you out.โ€™
Klitschko is waiting for guys to get a little experience then taking them out. Everybody is waiting for him to leave but heโ€™s not leaving because heโ€™s having an easy time. I think HBO only re-signed him because they think heโ€™s coming to the end of his rope and one of these young guys is going to knock him out. But I donโ€™t think thatโ€™s going to happen.

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