And Lewis refuses to fight Chris Byrd. Byrd was the mandatory for the IBF title. Lewis dropped the belt. In his whole career Lewis never fought a southpaw.
Yes so big in fact that Lewis was salivating for a rematch of this apparent mismatch for a $30 million purse. When presented with the *SAME* potential purse for a Vitali rematch Lewis suddenly had doubts about his "hunger" and "motivation" and called it quits after hiding for 12 months with his WBC belt :deal
No doubt about it that Lewis is a more complete fighter. Lewis was like Hearns in that he fought smarter but he wasn't a safety fighter. Like Lewis said he could box, brawl, move, cut off the ring, go to the body, work in close etc
Lewis was not a particularly fast heavyweight and probaby never wanted anything do with a slick southpaw like Byrd.
-Your personal opinion is irrelevant as Byrd/McCline has made several "best of" lists and is generally recoginzed as an exciting fight. -Your analysis of Byrd's "lucky breaks" is also irrelevant. Unless you are now arguing that Lewis denied Byrd his earned title shot because he would have close fights against Golota and Oquendo in the future? Is Lennox now a forturne teller? Who gives a **** how Byrd beat Vitali? Byrd earned his title shot by beating Lewis' previous opponent Tua in an elimantor. Byrd waited a long time for his title and never got it, as a working man or boxer, I'm sure we can all relate to that. Surprised, so many would justify a hard working man getting the shaft.
I still don't get this arguement. The fight wasn't stopped because of a head clash or freak injury, Lewis smashed his face in and they had to stop it. That counts as a win in my book.
:happy:happy:happy Great post. Lewis is an ATG and a real champ, but he WAS a sneaky **** who liked to chose his battles.