It was an impressive 14-year career to say the least for former heavyweight star Lennox Lewis.

After turning professional in 1989, the 52-year-old went on to become a three-time world heavyweight champion and a two-time lineal champion, winning 41 out of a total of 44 bouts.

Undoubtedly, his finest achievement came in 1999 where he became undisputed champion after defeating Evander Holyfield to maintain his titles whilst clinching the vacant IBO belt.

Despite being stripped of the label in 2000, Lewis remains the most recent undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

However, with the likes of Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois aiming to see their name under the prestigious title in the near future, there could be a new successor on the horizon.

The former is currently one belt off succeeding Lewis’ crown and very much remains the likely candidate to complete the quadruple, but the most recent undisputed champion has issued a caution to those chasing his title.

Speaking to the SunSport, Lewis highlighted that antics outside of the ring can affect performances, whether that’s bad management or personal problems such as relationships.

He also went on to say that he always made sure he never made the mistakes other champions made when he was trying to reach the top:

“A huge part of my life was watching past champions and not making the same mistakes they made,” he said.

“There are so many possible pitfalls, a girl problem can interrupt a career, bad management was often a problem, as is signing the wrong contract with the wrong promoter.

“All these things have happened to boxers across history and I have looked at them and made sure they did not happen to me. I learned from their mistakes.

“It was a battle to focus on my sport because lots of situations arise to take you off the right path.”

Lewis also revealed that he is helping young, aspiring boxers and world-wide fighters.

“When I speak to kids I tell them to set their mind on what they want to be and prepare to make the sacrifices needed,” he added.

“I mentor all the time, it’s not just British fighters but guys from all over the world.

“I get emailed from all different guys with very different questions.

"That is part of what I do now, as the last undisputed heavyweight champion, they want to know the secrets. And I am happy to help them because I managed to do it.”