Lennox Lewis knocked out in the first round. Lewis retained the WBC world title in 1998 when he knocked out lineal champion Shannon Briggs, who had recently outpointed George Foreman in a controversial fight to win the lineal title in five rounds, and beat formerly-undefeated European champion Željko Mavrović from Croatia in a 12-round unanimous decision. Lewis stated in 2006 that his fight with Mavrovic was the most awkward win of his career. On 13 March 1999, Lewis faced WBA and IBF title holder Evander Holyfield in New York City in what was supposed to be a heavyweight unification bout. Lewis fought
Alex Leapai second in his mind to the political upheaval in his homeland. As the fight Klitschko claimed the spectacle would be ever important to “boost the morale” of his countrymen. Former heavyweight world champion Shannon Briggs interrupted a pre-fight press conference in Germany just days before the anticipated bout only adding to the drama that characterised the title fight. Briggs challenged Klitschko for a fight and accused Leapai of being an unworthy opponent for the Ukrainian before the Queenslander and challenger were both restrained by security. Result Leapai was knocked out by Klitschko in the fifth round of a fight scheduled