On April 22, 2001, 20–1 underdog Hasim Rahman pulled off one of the biggest upsets in boxing history after he was able to knock out the heavily favored champion Lennox Lewis in the fifth round of their fight.

Rahman, however, turned down both offers and instead opted to take a less lucrative fight against fringe contender David Izon that would net him $5 million.

[3] While promoting the fight, both Rahman and Lewis made an appearance on ESPN's interview show Up Close hosted by Gary Miller.

When this was brought up during the interview with Miller, Lewis defended himself stating that he was "100 percent a woman's man" and that if Rahman had any worries to "bring his sister."

After one more fight in 2003, a victory over a then up-and-coming Vitali Klitschko, Lewis retired in 2004 as the reigning WBC, IBO and lineal heavyweight champion.

He would lose his next fight against an aging Evander Holyfield by technical decision after developing a severe hematoma that caused massive swelling over his left eye.