Lennox Lewis stopped completely outclassed Phil Jackson at 1:35 of the eighth round Friday night, easily retaining his World Boxing Council heavyweight championship.
Lewis had won every round when he knocked down Jackson for the third time midway through the eighth. A sharp right followed by a left uppercut did the damage and referee Arthur Mercante stepped in to end the bout.Lewis also knocked down Jackson 20 seconds into the fight and again in a wild fifth round. That round ended with Jackson on the canvas, knocked down after the bell. Mercante deducted a point from Lewis for hitting after the bell.
Lewis, 28, of England, scored his 25th straight victory and 21st knockout. It was the third defense of the WBC belt he acquired when then-undisputed champion Riddick Bowe dumped it in a garbage can two years ago.
Jackson, 29, of Miami, showed nothing in the biggest fight of his seven-year pro career. His theme was "Man on a Mission." But that mission never had a chance of succeeding.
Lewis, the 1988 Olympic champion, earned $4 million for the victory. As he left the ring, he was serenaded by some countrymen, who were waving Union Jacks and chanting, "Lennox is a champion!"
Lewis' victory sets up a possible unification bout with Michael Moorer who beat Evander Holyfield last month for the WBA and IBF portions of the heavyweight title.
"I don't think Michael Moorer is going to get the respect of the world until he fights Lennox Lewis," Lewis said after beating Jackson.
Moorer, who was seated at ringside, had shown little inclination to unify the title, but Lewis probably didn't scare him on Friday night.