Ananova:

Audley Harrison led the tributes to Britain's outgoing heavyweight champion of the world by claiming Lennox Lewis should be knighted.

Lewis, 38, retired today, and Olympic super heavyweight champion Harrison said: "He has been a great ambassador for boxing, sport in general and this country. They should give him a knighthood. It is Sir Lennox for me.

"He has reigned supreme over everyone else for a decade and he is a hero and great inspiration. I don't think he had anything left to prove, he walks away with his head held high."

Harrison hopes to follow Lewis' footsteps as Britain's number one boxer, often turning to him during his fledgling professional career.

"He has given me some great advice and if I can emulate just half of what he achieved I will be very happy," Harrison added.

"I think we should celebrate what is gone and look forward to the future - and that future definitely includes Audley Harrison."

Lewis' achievements have often been downgraded, given the current dearth of talent on the world scene.

But Harrison insisted: "You are only as good as what is put in front of you and he would have given people in any era trouble.

"The 90s was a great era which included four top fighters in Riddick Bowe, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis.

"The win over Tyson secured his legacy and people should not belittle his achievements because of the era he was in.

"He won every title going and won when he had to, he became the rematch king."

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	Check for more on: Heavyweight Audley Harrison Lennox Lewis Boxing

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