Lewis in decline, says trainer Steward
Wednesday, 13 June 2001 10:54Time is running out for Lennox Lewis to regain his place at the top of boxing, according to his trainer Emanuel Steward. The former world heavyweight champion's trainer told a court in New York that the 35-year-old former champion was "beginning to slip a little bit" and had suffered "more wear and tear than most boxers".
Steward was appearing in a United States District Court as a witness for Lewis, who is suing Hasim Rahman, the WBC and IBF world heavyweight champion. He is attempting to force Rahman to honour a rematch clause in the contract for their original fight which Lewis lost in South Africa.
"Everything is a little more different when you're 35," Steward told the court. "At his age, he's beginning to slip a little bit. We'll probably see a little more of the decline in the coming years. Losing weight becomes a problem now because he's a big man. That's why he has to stay active," said Steward.
Mike Tyson's manager Shelly Finkel and Rahman's former promoter Cedric Kushner also testified. Tyson is also suing Rahman, claiming that he should be the next mandatory opponent under WBC rules while Kushner is suing for breach of contract.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
