Maloney: 'Lennox has gone on too long'

Lennox Lewis was set to quit as world heavyweight champion at a press conference in London today.

The 38-year-old would become only the third title holder in the division’s history to walk away with his belt intact.

Lewis has turned his back on a multi-million dollar rematch against Ukrainian Vitali Klitschko, whom he beat controversially in his last fight in June.

Instead he has heeded the advice of his mother Violet and will join the illustrious company of Rocky Marciano and Gene Tunney as men who retired while on top.

But Lewis’ former manager Frank Maloney said he believed Lewis had gone on too long.

Maloney said Lewis should have retired having finally clinched the undisputed title against Evander Holyfield in 1999.

And he had another chance after comprehensively dismantling Mike Tyson in Memphis.

But instead his desire to fight on almost cost him his place in history as he edged past Klitschko when his opponent was controversially stopped on cuts.

Maloney told BBC Radio Four: “He should have gone after the Tyson fight because there was nothing left to prove.

“I would have liked to have seen him go after he defeated Evander Holyfield, but there were a few more pay days and the unfortunate fight with Hasim Rahman in South Africa.”

Lewis had been ordered by the World Boxing Council to announce his future intentions before March 1 or face being stripped of his title.

Now he will leave the belt to be contested between Klitschko and most likely the South African veteran Corrie Sanders.

Lewis’ departure will leave a gaping hole in the heavyweight division which has struggled even under the rule of such a flagship champion.

Soon there will be four different champions again – and not one of them boasts the credentials to take control and justify the so-called ’richest prize in sport’.

Awkward and unknown Chris Byrd holds the IBF crown but hisnext defence has stalled because the mandatory contender battle between James Toney and Jameel McCline was recently postponed.

Roy Jones is showing little inclination to defend his WBA title – not surprisingly as the man he beat last time, John Ruiz, has worked himself back into the top contender’s position.

And the WBO title is currently vacant with Wladimir Klitschko – still smarting from his shocking loss to Sanders last year – set to meet American Lamon Brewster.