Briggs, Holyfield, Klitschko, McCall: Lennox Lewis reveals best opponents he faced

Boxing legend Lennox Lewis revealed the best opponents he faced during his fighting career - but left out Mike Tyson.

The former undisputed heavyweight king, 56, retired from the sport in 2004 after beating Vitali Klitschko at the Staples Center in California, as he felt that he had nothing left to prove to anyone.

During an interview with The Ring Magazine back in 2015, Lewis was asked by the esteemed fight magazine to reveal the best heavyweights he competed against at amateur level and in the professional ranks.

And he was quick to name Klitschko along with Shannon Briggs, Evander Holyfield, Zeljko Mavrovic, Oliver McCall, Hasim Rahman, and Razor Ruddock - with Holyfield deemed the best overall.

However, there was no mention of American rival 'Iron Mike', who he knocked out after eight rounds in a heavyweight world title fight in 2002.

Check out his full breakdown of the best fighters he faced in 10 different categories below...

Best skills - Evander Holyfield

"Evander was very talented, although I was disappointed that he used his head as a punch in those fights.

"The word was that he was the greatest heavyweight of our era but nobody could say that until he fought Lennox Lewis.

"In the first fight he was overconfident, singing during his ring walk, so I went after him and he was shocked to get that draw.

"Second time around he knew what to expect so it was a tougher fight but I still won comfortably."

Best jab - Razor Ruddock

"Ruddock had a good jab before he hit the canvas."

lennox-lewis-mike-tyson-evander-holyfield

Lennox Lewis pictured with Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield

Best defence - Holyfield (again)

"Holyfield had excellent variety to his defence.

"He could cross his arms like George Foreman but he was also well schooled in the traditional type of defence you get taught in the amateurs.

"Evander presented a real challenge and I had to put in a lot of effort to break through.

"I couldn’t just land one or two shots and be content; it had to be threes, fours and fives."

Best chin - Oliver McCall

"There is no doubt. He was Mike Tyson’s sparring partner for years and had ‘cracking’ reflexes."

lennox-lewis-shannon-briggs — LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Shannon Briggs celebrates victory over Emilio Ezequiel Zarate during a Heavyweight contest at The O2 Arena on May 21, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Lennox Lewis called Shannon Briggs one of his toughest-ever opponents

Best puncher - Shannon Briggs

"He lacked endurance but Briggs certainly knew how to put his bodyweight behind a punch.

"Unfortunately for him you need the full package when you face me so power isn’t enough.

"Fans may expect me to say McCall or Hasim Rahman for punching power but I basically set myself up against both of them."

Fastest hands - Briggs (again)

"I was surprised by Briggs’ handspeed. He was able to close the gap very quickly and that allowed him to get off the big punches. Sometimes you don’t realize how quick someone is until you’re in there.