Lewis entered the June 21, 2003, contest as the reigning heavyweight champion and one of the most accomplished fighters of his era. Klitschko, meanwhile, accepted the opportunity after Kirk Johnson withdrew from a planned bout with Lewis due to injury. Although respected, the Ukrainian was viewed by many as a heavy underdog against the 37-year-old champion.
From the opening bell, Klitschko exceeded expectations.
Using his size, jab, and right hand, Klitschko took the fight to Lewis and won the first two rounds on all three judges’ scorecards. In the second round, he landed hard right hands that opened a cut under Lewis’ left eye and appeared to briefly shake the champion.
Lewis responded in the third round with a powerful right hand that created a deep cut above Klitschko’s left eye. The wound would ultimately become the defining moment of the fight.
Despite the cut, Klitschko remained in the fight and won the fourth round on all three scorecards. But the injury above his left eye continued to deteriorate as Lewis landed more clean punches.
After the sixth round, ringside physician Dr. Paul Wallace inspected the cut and informed referee Lou Moret that Klitschko could not continue.
After six rounds, the doctor advised that the fight be stopped due to the extent of the damage. Because the injury was caused by legal punches, Lewis was awarded a sixth-round technical knockout victory.
The ending immediately sparked controversy. Klitschko was ahead 58-56 on all three scorecards when the bout was halted, leading many fans to call for a rematch.
Although Lewis initially expressed interest in facing Klitschko again later that year, the rematch never happened. Lewis announced his retirement in February 2004, ending his Hall of Fame career with a record of 41-2-1.
For Klitschko, the performance transformed his reputation. Less than a year later, he captured the WBC heavyweight title by stopping Corrie Sanders and began the championship run that would define his career.
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