June 21, 2003. Staples Center, California was witness to one of the most exhilarating heavyweight bouts of the century so far.Undisputed champion Lennox Lewis, weighing in at a career high 116kgs, was brought to the brink of defeat by a Ukrainian known as 'Dr Ironfist', who stunned his British opponent with a series of heavy blows before succumbing to a controversial TKO.Lewis had dominated the heavyweight scene for many years, and at 36 years of age, he was beginning to contemplate retirement before he was given the task of defending his belt against the hard-hitting Vitali Klitschko.An epic battle ensued before severe cuts above the Ukranian's left eye convinced the ringside doctor to call a halt to proceedings.The giant Klitschko was ahead on all three scorecards at the time of the seventh-round stoppage, and there was an instant demand from boxing fans for Dr Ironfist to be allowed another shot at Lewis' heavyweight crown.Negotiations ensued and Lewis, despite his increasing years, seemed keen on the idea of entering the ring again with the powerful Ukrainian, who needed 60 stitches in his face after their first meeting.The British hero, however, was to have second thoughts and pulled the plug on any rematch and later announced his retirement from the ring, denying fans the chance to see if his ageing limbs could stave off Klitschko a second time.To this day, boxing fans debate whether Lewis was saved by the controversial stoppage and wonder if he would have been able to withstand another Klitschko barrage in a second fight.

All these years later, Lewis took to Twitter and explained his reasons for not taking a rematch against the man who would go on to become the heavyweight world champion.

Responding to a tweet arguing that he was saved by the clash of heads that caused the cut and stoppage, the 52-year-old Lewis answered with a succinct explanation for his retirement.

Lennox Lewis was one of the greatest heavyweights to ever grace the ring and it's clear he has retained his class and dignity in well earned retirement.