How Many Previous Champs Does Wlad Beat?

VA,


LENNOX JONES-ING FOR BOUT WITH ROY

[url]http://nypost.com/2003/06/20/lennox-jones-ing-for-bout-with-roy/[/url]


After Lewis escaped defeat against Klitshko there were reported talks between Lewis and Jones at heavyweight.

If the fight would have happened straight after Jones beat Ruiz, who would have won?

I like Jones by decision.

[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A34284350[/url]

Do you think there were Jones vs Lewis talks post Klitschko? It is obvious Lewis wasn't read to retire. He acted and talked like an active fighter.

 

Well two things. One is considering other fights doesn't necessarily mean you're avoiding a rematch, he could very well have planned on having two fights.

But regardless, the first sentence pretty much seals the deal in terms of this being completely meaningless, because this article was written BEFORE Lewis and Vitali even fought.

Read this again

"Although heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis faces one of the biggest opponents of his career in Vitali Klitschko on Saturday night (HBO, 10 ET), a victory sets up a potential fall blockbuster with one of the smallest, Roy Jones Jr."

So this article was based on speculation that Lewis was going to win the fight against Vitali, which he did, but because Vitali deserved a rematch, this fight never took place.

If anything it's and indication that Lewis was considering a rematch, otherwise he very well could have considered this option if he wasn't.

 

Again the first article was written before they had their first fight, so the relevancy of it is a mystery to me and the second link is basically a blog about posters opinions as to who would have won between Lewis and Jones had the fight happened right after Jones beat Ruiz. I certainly think Lewis would have won, but since they never fought who knows.

As to whether or not there was talks between Lewis and Jones after the Vitali fight I'm sure there were, if for no other reason then for Jones camp to know where he stood.

But whether or not there was any negotiations to make a fight happen, I have no idea.

 

I remember Jones mentioning years later and while commentating at one of Wlad's fights that he had no desire to face any of the super heavyweight champions like Lews, Wlad, Vitali, etc..

 

That would have been a surreal matchup. I think Lewis would have knocked him out. He was way too big and strong for the blown up Jones.

 

and his reach would have negated a lot of Jones speed as well

 

My guess is that after looking at Vitali's face after the fight, Jones really would't have relished the idea of getting hit by Lewis.

 

A champion is under no obligation to remain active, if he does not wish to do so.

In this situation, retiring and vacating his title is an entirely honourable course of action.

 

The only think that wasn't honourable was the amount of time he took to make the decision. It would have been nice if it was 4-5 months sooner, but regardless, it was his choice to make and I guess he took as much time as he felt he needed.

 

Not sure how this turned into a Vitali thread, but anyway the only past champs with a 50/50 chance or better of beating Wladimir are Bowe, Lewis and Vitali, imo

 

I'd probably add Foreman to the list and think about adding Liston, and Tyson. (at the very least Tyson would be dangerous early)

 

Manny Stewart mentioned a while before the fight that Lennox was planning to come in heavier than usual on account of being matched with Vitali, one of the few opponents he would face who was bigger than Lennox.

And in regards to prime, Lennox was a late bloomer of sorts in that he spent an extra four years in the amateurs chasing a medal. He was still prime for Tyson, and not very much past it, if any, for Klitschko.

If anything, the layoff was more significant than the stage of his career.

It was, IMO, his best win in that he defeated a good, prime, top-notch in the head-to-head department, heavyweight who would go on to be his immediate successor as 'the man' at HW.

A passing of the torch without letting go of the thing.:yep