Lewis bows out at the top

Lennox Lewis today rang the final bell on one of the greatest careers in boxing history.

Speaking at a packed media conference in a central London hotel, Lewis revealed one of the worst-kept secrets in sport when he said: "This is a special day in my life. I'd like to announce that 21 June was my last fight as a professional boxer."

Fittingly, that was the date of his victory over world heavyweight championship challenger Vitali Klitschko in Los Angeles.

It means the Londoner joins boxing legends Rocky Marciano and Gene Tunney as the only members of the blue ribbon division to quit the ring with their titles intact.

Lewis may be a fearsome giant of a man, standing 6ft 5in in his boxing boots and tipping the scales at nearly 18st, but he remains a mummy's boy at heart. So it was fitting that the first tribute he paid for a record of success, that includes an Olympic gold medal and being the first British heavyweight in over a century to reign as undisputed champion of the world, was to his mother Violet.

Known as "Mum" to the team of 18 trainers, conditioners, sparring partners and bodyguards who Lewis had flown in from around the world for today's announcement, Violet Lewis was visibly moved as her son told her: "I love you." Through a professional career spanning 15 years and 44 fights, Violet was ever-present and Lewis said: "One lesson she taught me is that it is easy to be around when everything is going well, but that true loyalty and love are expressed and revealed during hard times."

Flanked by his championship belts, he added: "I've tried to be a good champion and believe that I've practised my trade in a manner befitting a sport that I call 'the sweet science'. I experienced some wonderful victories. And I learned that defeat, properly handled, makes a person stronger." Lewis has accrued a fortune estimated at £100million from victories such as those against Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield. And he revealed he had been offered millions of dollars to fight on.

However, he insisted there will be no comeback. Lewis said: "In many ways continuing to fight would be the easiest course of action. That said, I am mindful of what happens to fighters in and out of the ring as they age. I believe that, without being able to devote the same energy, passion and desire to boxing that I felt from the start, I should not enter the ring again."