W Klitschko v Lennox Lewis

Lewis is the one HW I would be absolutely confident would beat Wlad if both are at their best. Wlad's defense when really pressed is probably the worst of any HW champion since at least the '30s. Besides holding on for dear life, it's actually nonexistent. And when Lewis went all out he was one of the most destructive HWs ever on the front foot. Pretty simple maths really.

 

I still may lean with Lewis but not an easy fight and we still don't know how the improved Vlad would react when shook because he has avoided it, 20 fights ago he was legally dropped once by Sam Peter but came back and shook Peter badly in the 11th. Vlad has more of a cautious style preserving his energy and being defensive and fighting tall (Manny's touch) but Lennox also has to adapt to Manny's touch.

I think Vlad will be tested in his next few fights, Pulev, then the winner of Stiverne and Wilder (both can punch very hard) and if he gets past them one at a time we may or may not see some questions answered.

As far as Lennox Lewis what were his best wins (Rudduck) but this was one sided and Rudduck really known for his loses. Botha,Golota,Grant,Rahman II impressive but limited and perfect for Lennox's aggressive offense

Tyson,Holyfield,Mercer were slightly past it and only Tyson was impressive, nothing special shown from Lewis with Mercer and Evander

Lewis was KO'd 2 X by good punchers Rahman and McCall but was hurt badly both times and was unable to continue so while I think his great offense was enough to back up most guys, he would be at risk against someone with a aggressively engineered offense but that person would have to take some risk at some point in time and while Lewis was KO'd early both times rd 2 and rd 4 I think someone that could take him to later rds would have a good chance.

At first look I would think Lewis gets Vlad early but the memories of the pre-Stewart Vlad, did not know how to hold, did not warm up proper, too aggressive to exchange when it was not necessary for his talent.

I rate Lewis high but with a total of 42 wins am I forgetting the right hand from Rahman and McCall

Lewis also did not want to fight Byrd, southpaw runner and I dont blame him because it was not a great money fight but he also turned down BIG money rematch with a mentally improved Vitali at the same age Vlad is now

I am a big fan of Waldo because he has improved and has good wins over many different styles and have always rated Lewis high because of his offense and I feel there is another level of Big man in Lewis,Vlad and Vitali but of the 3 only Vitali has shown the super-heavyweight chin

I can see Lewis winning by KO but I can also see Vlad blast of an aggressive Lewis if he is too aggressive but Lewis did not fight that way vs Evander,Tua, and Tyson he fought for the win so I think this fight may play out with caution until one man was rocked and it has a good chance to go either way. I am not sure I would bet

 

Ruddock, Golota, Botha, Grant etc weren't ATG fighters but they all had better chin and/or defense than Wlad. On the other hand Wlad has never met, much less defeated, anyone with anything close to Lewis's offense.

And the KO's that Lewis suffered wasn't because of reckless aggression, but rather being reckless in defensive positions. He could have lapses in concentration, sure, but this is supposed to be both on their best nights, right? And as Lewis showed in the rematches against both men, he was not reckless when fully focussed.

Lewis will come at him hard and fast knowing this is his achilles heel, and I can't see Wlad holding him off for the full fight with just holding on. The help he usually gets from semi-corrupt refs on his home turf would help, but not save him in the end I think. Lewis was too big, strong and savvy to be neutralized so easily.

 

Agree

 

This is an absolute load of ****. All the above were stuck in the mud, slow footed oafs. Waldo has the best and quickest footwork of any superheavy we have had. His feet are the basis of his defense. Ask any of his opponents or trainers or opponents' trainers.

None of the above ever even got a piece of the crown. Wlad has controlled the division for 8 years. That this fact is not grasped by some is either willful bias or stunning ignorance.

 

As much as I think Lewis is overrated. He still beats Wlad.

 

I don't agree with this assessment.

There is no super heavy weight division. He's a heavy weight. Calling him the best super heavy at this and that is just a way to give him extra credit for doing things that were done a lot better by other heavy weights.

Which guys was he so good at creating space against? It wasn't Haye or Povekin. The only two half decent fighters he has ever faced.

The only guy he was able to control distance against without excessive clinching was Leapai.

His Wlad really worthy of praise for using his long legs to step around a tiny, pig bellied, truck driver who walked in baby steps around the ring?

The Povetkin fight showed he was absolute atrocious at creating distance.

Tyson Fury was pressured by Maddalone and displayed much better footwork and spacing without the need of any holding. Wlad had to constantly hold Mormeks, a far lesser opponent than Maddalone at that period of his career.

 

Have to agree with the 'super heavyweight' tag. He's just a regular heavyweight. There is no 'super heavyweight' division, nor is there an evolutionary basis for one.

 

Over what 20 year period previous to 1993-2013 have had so many champion level heavyweights over 6-4 and 230 pounds?

 

Ridiculous statement. Wlad has exceptional defense. THE GUY BARELY GETS HIT!

 

There's a super heavyweight division in amateur boxing and I think if someone is that big it's not wrong to call them that. Super heavy in mma and kickboxing and wrestling generally fit the bill. Should we call Dempsey a d Marciano cruiserweight because that's technically the correct terminology.