Lennox Lewis - Still the King in the Game

Lennox Lewis - Still the King in the Game

By Media (June 29, 2006)

Lennox Lewis is enjoying his retirement from Boxing these days. One of his favorite past times is playing the game of chess. So much in fact that Lewis has taken his love for the game of chess and used it to help promote kids to start playing. Lewis supports "American Way Middle School's Chess team. The Lennox Lewis Chess Team of American Way Middle in Memphis is amazed at the help and motivation Lennox has given to the children. Each year Lennox leaves a healthy donation of cash to help pay for the teams expenses.

Lennox is quoted by the LA Times : "If you start something, it's important you stay with it. I knew from the beginning what I wanted to do. I wanted to help these kids with their chess and I wanted to help them develop as people."

Back in his boxing days, Lewis used chess to help him focus and further develop his skills in the ring.

Lewis would play chess often in training camp. SO much that it ticked off his trainer, Emanuel Steward. Steward wanted Lewis to concentrate on boxing, not the chessboard

Lewis explains why he used chess in his training: "I saw it as a way to plan my moves in the ring. I saw it as a way to relieve stress before a fight and a way to remain focused. If you are not focused in the ring, you can get knocked out. If you are not focused in chess, you can get checkmated."

Source of quotes and Information: Steve Springer, LA Times.