Lennox Lewis

DOB: 2/9/1965 Event: Boxing Medals: 1 gold, 1 silver Flag: CAN

The last undisputed world heavyweight champion, Lennox Lewis delayed his professional career for four years in his quest for Olympic glory. Aged 18, the British Canadian boxer had to settle for the silver medal after he was beaten by American Tyrell Biggs in the super-heavyweight final at the 1984 Los Angeles games. Lewis turned his back on a lucrative professional career, choosing instead to fight on as an amateur for Team Canada in the hope he would get a second shot at the gold. And four years later in Seoul he realised his Olympic dream, defeating future world champion Riddick Bowe with a second round technical knockout. Born in West Ham, London, the 45-year-old began boxing after his family moved to Canada in 1977 and in 1983 he won the world amateur junior title. He turned professional after winning gold at the 1988 Olympics leaving behind a remarkable amateur record of 75 wins, 58 of which were by knockout, and just seven defeats. Lewis went on to become one of the greatest heavyweights in the history of the sport and remains, along with Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield, one of only three fighters ever to have won the heavyweight championship three times. He retired from boxing in 2004 with a professional record of 43 fights, 41 wins, 32 knockouts and two defeats - both of which he subsequently avenged. In 2002 he was awarded a CBE by the Queen and in 2009 was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.