Lewis was a very good fighter and the last complete heavyweight fighter. As I said he could fight and he could box, but he wasnt particularly great at either in my opinion, just very good. I dont think he would have accomplished as much as he did had he turned pro a bit earlier. As much as he made a big deal out of not fighting Bowe, I think it was blessing in disguise for him. He clearly wasnt ready to face that caliber of fighter in the early 90's.
I think Lewis would have done well vs the whole trio personally. Tyson never beat a fighter with the size, power and greatness level of Lewis. As for Bowe, Lewis would have had the edge on him imo. Lewis was not daunted at all by him, i'm not sure the same can be said the other way.
Lewis was knocked out by Oliver Mcall and was being outboxed by Frank Bruno and out fought by Ray Mercer. Bowe was on a whole different level in the early 90's. He would have exposed all those mistakes Lewis was making. As far as Tyson, Lewis never beat a fighter on Tyson's level either, so you can spin that one both ways. Lewis became a much better fighter by 1996-97 but up until that point he would have had a difficult time with prime versions of Tyson and Bowe. By 97 there wasnt much left in the heavyweight division.
His inside game was not great. It was leagues above vitali's and that's the point. Not arsed what would have happened after the 6th because vitali was in no fit state to continue. In a rematch lewis is too far removed from his prime for it to be a meaningful fight. I predict lewis isn't able to withstand vitali's assault. To be honest, I don't care if it doesn't sit well. I speak with conviction, deal with it. Any prediction is as good as the next imo. I'm saying prime for prime lewis beats vitali on the inside. Had they rematched a year after the first fight I pick vitali to keep lewis on the outside and stop him late on.
Ok, you are matching pre prime Lewis with Tyson and co. That's a tough gig for any fighter. I'd still give Lewis a decent chance tho. Tyson's stock dropped a bit post Douglas, Holyfield was in good form around the time and Bowe too. Lewis was coiming on good in 92 and his size and power would have been awkward for anyone. They sure weren't lining up to fight him.
In 91-92 noone really knew who Lewis was and the heavyweight championship was still running strong through the US. I dont buy the fact that guys were avoiding Lewis only because he was so dangerous. You had Foreman, Bowe, Holmes, Holyfield. These were the big money fights. Lewis was too much risk for too little of a payday and thats just as much of a reason why these guys didnt want to fight him. Ruddock fought him only because it was an instant ticket back into a mandatory spot after losing in two chances against Tyson.
They sure knew who he was at the end of 92 when he axed Rudduck in just two rounds. The Razor was coming off two wins post Tyson at the time and still very much in the picture. My comment still stands under any scenario tho. They very definitely weren't lining up to take him on. They knew he was dangerous too, rest assured. There's a slight contradiction there as you claimed nobody knew him 91-92.
Ok but saying his inside game was'nt great is different to saying he was a "one trick pony" on the inside. That was my point luf, which it looks like you've acknowledged. Because a one trick pony can't be "leagues above" much can it. Seems like a contradiction to me. Deal with it? Yeah alright mate. Your not talking to one of your pupils now you know.
That kind of argument can go both ways, for instance; Lewis never beat a fighter with top end power & phenomenal speed combined, deadly combination punching & superbly elusive defensive skills... So just remember those kind of arguments kind of suck, unless the ATG you're talking about actually defeated other Peak ATG's... which is an extremely rare occurence.
My point was he isn't what i'd call a good inside fighter. But vitali is probably the worst inside fighter in hw history. So lewis's best chance is on the inside. It's easter holidays lol, i've gotta get my kick of dictatorship somehow
Wlad? Is he not equally as bad? :think Both Klit brothers are fantastic (illegally excessive) clinchers & leaners, but can't fight on the inside at all. Unfortunately for Vitali, Lewis turned out to be functionally stronger than him ("By far the strongest fighter i've ever faced."), & vicious with his holding & hitting in the clinches, especially the brutal booming righhook to the kidneys.
No wlad is methodical. Once the fighter's in range the clinch is locked. Vitali is unpredictable and at times will backpedal away or trade (makes him look ridiculously clumsy). Maybe it's to do with mentality and vitali likes to punch his way out of the clinch. Wlad has no such fault. He has his discipline mastered and he doesn't deviate.
Point accepted mate, but i know you're smart enough to understand the "one trick pony" remark is gonna sound provocative to a nuthugger like me. :yep Plus you're saying that whenever it's school hols time we can expect different more aggressive type of posts from yourself? OK Hitler.:good