London-born Lewis competed for Canada, where he grew up, at both the 1984 and 1988 Games and is well placed to judge how to make the transition to the paid ranks.

After collecting a super heavyweight bronze in Los Angeles, he was determined to go two rungs better and finally realised his dream when he picked up the gold in Seoul four years later (pictured top) – and was immediately catapulted into the big time.

A huge fan of the Olympics, Lewis carried the Torch in Bexley last month and is eagerly awaiting the final stages of the boxing competition at London 2012, which has brought the memories of Seoul flooding back.

Boxing hero Lennox Lewis carried the Olympic Torch during its journey through Bexley

"It was the gold ticket into the professionals," Lewis told insidethegames, as the boxing competition at London 2012 moved into the knockout stage.

"A lot of managers and promoters are automatically on you – and I'm talking about the top guys so you don't have to fool around with the smaller ones."

As of the end of next year, boxing breaks new ground with the International Boxing Association's (AIBA) most ambitious plan yet, the AIBA Professional Boxing programme that will offer contracts allowing fighters to compete professionally yet still retain their Olympic eligibility.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already backed the idea – too late, of course, for the likes of Lewis, now 46, who stopped fighting almost a decade ago.

For those trying to emulate what he achieved, keep working is Lewis' message because after the prestige of Olympic gold, he said, comes untold affluence.

Lennox Lewis (left) en route to downing Oliver McCall for the WBC heavyweight title in 1997

Unlike many Olympic sports that require funding to maintain high standards, boxers fighting for their country can look ahead to lucrative careers once they branch out on their own.

"If you win a gold medal and turn pro you can pick and choose who you want and create your own future – provided you have the right people around you," he said.

Lewis slowly rose through the professional ranks until being declared World Boxing Council heavyweight champion in 1992 after Riddick Bowe gave up the title.

He defended it three times until he was upset by American Oliver McCall before regaining the belt from the same boxer in 1997 and, two years later, becoming undisputed champion.

The only two defeats he suffered were avenged in rematches; in all he won the heavyweight crown three times until his 2004 retirement.

That was eight years ago and, ever since, there has been constant speculation about whether, like many heavyweights desperate to return to the spotlight, he will come out of retirement.

Retired arch-rivals Mike Tyson (left) and Lennox Lewis are now "good friends"

But speaking after being announced as one of the guests at the Inspire for Sport conference in Qatar later this year, Lewis confirmed he was out of boxing for good.

"Most guys that come back into boxing – and history is my key – do so for the money," he suggested.

"When you come back for the money it's a far more difficult task.

"I boxed for the glory – I wanted to get rid of all the misfits."

However, boxing at all levels, said Lewis, can teach sports like football a lesson when it comes to human relationships – outside the ring at least.

With football constantly plagued by allegations of racism, Lewis remarked: "Mike Tyson and I were arch-enemies in one sense.

"But we got it out of our system and now we are good friends.

"You may be trying to hurt the other guy inside the ring but it's a sport that brings out your human side."

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