Lennox Lewis Makes Stunning Admission About Brutal Sparring Session With A Young Mike Tyson

Lennox Lewis has discussed having to spar with a young Mike Tyson as they were too good for others in their age group.

Lewis and Tyson would eventually fight in 2002 in the twilight of their careers but they did interact early on in their careers.

Lewis also discussed the infamous sparring session with Joe Rogan back in 2020.

Speaking on Rogan's podcast, the former world champion said: "I remember going to the Catskills. I won the World Junior Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and I remember the American team were like, 'Oh you have not fought the best.'"

"I said 'I thought the Americans sent the best team?'

"They said 'Yeah but there is one guy who don't like taking planes and his manager don't like taking planes either.'

"The first time Tyson actually met me he was a really nice guy, he took me to his room and showed me some old flicks I have never seen before."

But Lewis said all that changed when they stepped into the ring.

He continued: "First day in the gym and when the bell went he came across and he was trying to kill me.

"I tried the Muhammad Ali thing obviously and stayed away from his power but the first day was really hectic, the second day was hectic but actually on the last day I got the better of him."

Lewis also said he thought the young Tyson was coming to 'knock his head off'.

Per Daily Star, he said: "When he comes out, he's trying to knock my head off. I was just trying to protect myself but he was coming out like a whirlwind.

The 57-year-old also discussed the first day he met Tyson and the intensity that he showed.

"We sparred for a couple of days and it got easier after a while.

"Then there was one time Mike Tyson didn't want me to run around so he put his hands down and I gave him a one, two.

"All I could hear is 'Mike don't do that, you're going to fight that guy one day'.

"I turn around - Cus d'Amato (Tyson's trainer) said that."And that always echoed in my mind, we will ever fight? We will ever fight? 'Cause Cus D'Amato said we are gonna fight."

D'Amato ended up being correct over 20 years later. Lewis won their fight after an eighth round knockout.

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Topics: Mike Tyson, Boxing News, Boxing, Lennox Lewis

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a journalist for SPORTbible and he has previous experience with Manchester United. He has spoken to some of the biggest names in sport including Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch, WWE COO Triple H and WWE legend The Undertaker. May or may not do a decent impression of Jamie Carragher.

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