If Lewis had lost Mercer fight in 1996?
 

If Lewis had dropped the Mercer fight decision in 1996 it would have been his second defeat in less then two years, how would this have impacted his career? He took the world title in 1997 and went on to be a fine champion but this fight was crucial. Would it have been the end of Lennox or just a blip?:p

Re: If Lewis had lost Mercer fight in 1996?
 

Kimbo would be having his knob devoured right about now.

Re: If Lewis had lost Mercer fight in 1996?
 

mercer didnt even nearly win that fight

Re: If Lewis had lost Mercer fight in 1996?
 

In my oppinion Lewis DID lose that fight to Mercer.

Re: If Lewis had lost Mercer fight in 1996?
 

I shook my head when I heard the decision. I had Lewis winning something like 8-2.
Oh well, Holyfield got a gift draw also against Lewis.

Woller

Re: If Lewis had lost Mercer fight in 1996?
 

Mike Tyson and Riddick Bowe would have wanted to fight him.

Re: If Lewis had lost Mercer fight in 1996?
 

No major impact. He would have rematched Mercer and won clearer. Lewis wasn't the finished product by that point.

A loss to Mercer in a war would be better received historically than one punch kos to Rahman and McCall.

Who knows, Bowe, Holy and Tyson may have not avoided him and they may have tasted a whooping.

Re: If Lewis had lost Mercer fight in 1996?
 

Well, if Larry Holmes lobbied for a rematch, I'm sure Mercer would have been eager to give him a shot. (Larry winning a rematch is another matter, but it could have been a promotable pairing.)

Re: If Lewis had lost Mercer fight in 1996?
 

lewis would beat mercer in a rematch. maybe. it always struck me that lewis always got his rematches but could not offer mercer or klitsc one! anyway, thanks for the contributions.

Re: If Lewis had lost Mercer fight in 1996?
 

No doubt it was a close fight. I remember how disappointed the UK analysts were afterwards, and how they commented on Lewis having no chance against mid-90s Tyson if he fought to a similar standard.

Manny Stewards comments are also revealing between rounds. As early as the 1st or the 2nd he is telling Lewis that being in tough fights is good for him, that he has to learn to relax and roll with the pressure...

Re: If Lewis had lost Mercer fight in 1996?
 

ref nick hudson, Remeber Manny Stewards remarks to Lennox after round 6'we can't lose any more rounds now' !

Re: If Lewis had lost Mercer fight in 1996?
 

yep, I hear you killerkai1!

Re: If Lewis had lost Mercer fight in 1996?
 

Lewis must be gaining regard in your eyes if you're worried about him encroaching on Ali's spot.

Re: If Lewis had lost Mercer fight in 1996?
 

He did loose the Mercer fight, regardless of what the "judges" thought

Re: If Lewis had lost Mercer fight in 1996?
 

Same here. It wasn't a "Robbery," but Ray should have gotten the decision. At the time, he wasn't really the fighter being pushed by the boxing establishmemt, jhaving already lost to OLd Man Holmes and Journeyman Jesse Ferguson, where he was accused of "bribery." I think that may have affected the judges a bit. I had it 6-4 in rounds.