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Boxing

17th Nov 2020

Lennox Lewis vs Mike Tyson: the story behind the infamous press conference brawl

Wil Jones

“I want to eat his children”

The 2002 world title fight between Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson was one of the most anticipated matches in modern boxing history.

The run-up to the bout was littered with bad blood between the two fighters – most memorably Mike Tyson’s infamous comments that he wanted to eat Lennox Lewis’ children.

Thankfully Tyson didn’t get to do that, but tensions did erupt before the two boxers even stepped in the ring, when a mass brawl kicked off at a press conference in New York.

Lennox: The Untold Story is a new documentary that covers the career of the legendary British heavyweight. We’ve got a clip for you from, detailing the first meeting between Lewis and Tyson, and that infamous press conference brawl.

The official synopsis for the film reads:

Born into humble beginnings in the east end of London, abandoned by his father and raised by a single mother, Lennox Lewis’s rise to the pinnacle of boxing, and his place as one of the greatest heavyweight fighters of the modern era, defied all odds.  Though an Olympic gold medallist and a three-time heavyweight champion of the world, many boxing fans are unaware of the challenges that Lewis faced in his pursuit of greatness.

LENNOX: THE UNTOLD STORY is the official Lennox Lewis documentary chronicling an incredible life and sporting career.  The film gives unprecedented insight into Lewis’ journey from a troubled youth in West Ham, to uprooting to  Canada and discovering a natural ability in the boxing ring before going on to fulfil his destiny by reaching the top of heavyweight boxing.

Narrated by Lewis’ friend, and legendary hip-hop artist and producer, Dr. Dre, the film features unseen archive footage and interviews with Lewis, his family, closest friends, colleagues and boxing adversaries including Mike Tyson, Kellie Maloney, Emanuel Steward, Jim Lampley, Evander Holyfield and George Foreman.  LENNOX: THE UNTOLD STORY is directed by Rick Lazes and Seth Koch.

LENNOX: THE UNTOLD STORY is available on digital and DVD now