Lennox Lewis: The Untold Story doesn’t quite live up to the promise of its title – for die-hard boxing and Lewis fans there aren’t any spectacular revelations contained herein – nevertheless directors Rick Lazes and Seth Koch’s new documentary about the former heavyweight king is highly entertaining and skilfully constructed.
Narrated with an appropriate mixture of gravity and effortless cool by Dr Dre, the film traces Lewis’ diverse affiliations to Jamaica, Britain and Canada with sensitivity and respect. Lewis himself speaks movingly about his experience of dealing with an absent father and the sense of abandonment he felt when his mother left to forge a new life in Canada while he initially stayed behind in the UK.
Indeed, so candid and compelling is Lewis during this section of the film that one wishes more time was devoted to his reflections throughout the rest of the film – all too often the most telling insights into the big man come from other sources rather than from Lewis himself, including long-time friends and camp members Courtney Shand, Harold Knight, Egerton Marcus and Kellie (formerly Frank) Moloney, all of whom supply fascinating insights.
For example, Shand talks about a time that Lewis was driving a car and closed his eyes, asking his friend to guide him as a way of demonstrating the trust Lewis placed in him, while Moloney speaks movingly of Lewis’ supportive words when he revealed he was transitioning to become a woman. Moloney also speaks of how Lewis was at times uncomfortable with being marketed as a wholly British commodity, rather than the citizen of the world that he sees himself as.
Lewis’ perspective on these events would have been invaluable, but it is absent. Similarly, Lewis’ wife Violet provides invaluable insight into Lewis the family man, but Lewis himself does not. Whether this is a reflection of reticence on Lewis’ part or whether it was an editorial decision and unused Lewis interview footage exists on these topics is unclear, but as a result the balance of the film, at times, seems off kilter and favours the testimonies of those around Lewis, rather than the man himself. As a consequence, Lewis remains – as he was been for much of his public life and career – something of an enigma.
On the other hand, the film’s use of archival material is surefooted and impressive. Shots from the Lewis dressing room after the contentious draw against Evander Holyfield are revealing and the choice of fights from his 44-fight career from which to use footage is almost perfect, although I would argue that a mention of Lewis’ key fight for the European and British heavyweight titles against Gary Mason in 1991 was merited.
In its determination to honour the massive contribution of the late trainer Arnie Boehm to Lewis’ career, as well as the influence of his formative years in Canada, the film is also spot on. And if the broad-strokes of its comparison between British and Canadian race relations is somewhat simplistic, then this can be forgiven such is the overall excellence on display.
By highlighting Lewis’ determination and ability to bounce back from defeat, this film reminds us of just what an exceptional athlete and heavyweight champion he was, as well as what an admirable and fascinating man he is outside of the ring. The final stages of the film, in which we see Lewis becoming the sort of supportive, stable and present father that he never had as a child, are particularly moving, as are shots of Mike Tyson speaking about Lewis at a Friar’s Club roast event in January 2016.
All in all, Lennox Lewis: The Untold Story will delight Lewis fans and – hopefully – win around any remaining sceptics who are unconvinced of the man’s greatness.
Lewis was a champion of style, substance and quality, but more important than that, is a man of class and integrity. The sport of boxing was blessed to have him.
Photo: John Walton/PA Images