1. He lost because of a cut over his eye. The referee called it in.
The cut was caused by Lewis ' punches

2. Vitali was leading on all score cards and beating Lewis
.Many fighters have been ahead on the before losing . Look at Byrd -Vitali

3. Lewis was tiring.
Vitali was tiring more . The 6th round showed Vitali was spent but Lewis was getting better

4. When the fight was stopped, it was Vitali who was coming on, after taking a solid uppercut from Lewis and shook it off.
Lewis won the 6th and was one round away from stopping Vitali but the dr saved him

5. General perception is that if Vitali did not suffer the cut, he would have beaten Lewis.
Thats life , he got beat fair and square . People who know their boxing knew that Lewis would have gone onto win

6. This general perception lead to an overwhelming demand for a rematch.
Lewis didnt need one cuz he won . Nothing to gain

7. Lewis in reaction to this demand for a rematch, RETIRED.
He beat everyone he ever fought . Why rematch a guy hed beaten when he was at his worst . Vitali retired at the prospect of fighting a Lewis victim .