Lennox Lewis vs. Andrew Golota
Date | October 4, 1997 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Venue | Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey, US | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Title(s) on the line | WBC Heavyweight Championship | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tale of the tape | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Result | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lewis defeated Golota via 1st Round KO |
Lennox Lewis vs. Andrew Golota was a professional boxing match contested on October 4, 1997, for the WBC Heavyweight Championship.[1]
Background
After making the first successful defense in his second reign as WBC Heavyweight champion against the previously undefeated
The fight
Though it was thought that the match would be a back-and-forth contest between two of boxing's top heavyweights, it instead became one of the most lopsided championship fights in the sport's history. As soon as the fight started, Lewis had Golota on the defensive by effectively using his strong left jab and as the first minute of the fight came to close, was able to land a powerful right hook that stunned Golota and sent him into the corner. With Golota's back now against the turnbuckle, Lewis proceeded to land a six-punch combination that sent Golota to the canvas. Golota was able to back up, but was clearly hurt from the exchange and had trouble finding his balance. Nevertheless, referee Joe Cortez allowed Golota to continue the fight but he was quickly met with a furious assault from Lewis, who landed an over 10-punch combination that again sent Golota down. Cortez quickly stopped the fight and Lewis was named the winner by knockout after only 95 seconds of action.[5]
Aftermath
Golota was injected with lidocaine, a powerful painkiller, before the bout in an attempt to stave off knee pain. Golota had a seizure in the locker room about 15 minutes after the bout ended, during which he stopped breathing and was without a pulse for about 30 seconds. After being revived by cardiopulmonary resuscitation and rushed to the hospital, Golota's condition was upgraded to stable and he eventually made a full recovery. Golota was fined $5,000 for allowing the lidocaine injection. Golota filed a $21 million lawsuit against the doctor who administered the shot. The case was settled out of court for around $1 million.[6]
Undercard
Confirmed bouts:[7]
Broadcasting
Country | Broadcaster |
---|---|
Canada | TSN |
France | Canal+ |
United Kingdom | Sky Sports |
United States | HBO |
References
- ^ "Lennox Lewis vs. Shannon Briggs". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ Golota Should Fight Lewis in October, N.Y. Times article, 1997-07-23, Retrieved on 2013-06-08
- ^ Mercer Must Undergo Operation On His Neck, Philadelphia Daily News article, 1997-07–19, Retrieved on 2013-06-08
- ^ Fighting Has Already Begun for Both Lewis and Golota, N.Y. Times article, 1997-09–26, Retrieved on 2013-06-08
- ^ Drawn and Cornered, Sports Illustrated article, 1997-10–13, Retrieved on 2013-06-09
- ^ Golota Is Hospitalized After Lewis's Knockout, N.Y. Times article, 1997-10–05, Retrieved on 2013-06-09
- ^ "BoxRec: Event".