Witherspoon had great ability, big power and a good chin. I've just watched his fight against Mercer aged 38 and I thought he won it. I think he would have a great chance of stopping Lewis.
I think he certainly could have stopped pre-Steward Lewis. And possibly survived the distance with the better evolved one.
Prime for prime, Witherspoon at his best, I'd pick him to beat Lewis if I had to choose. Lewis was the more consistent fighter over his career though, and for that reason will be usually remembered as being the greater of the two.
If his cards were played right and he were more disciplined, Witherspoon had the makings of an ATG. I thought he probably deserved the decision over Holmes. And that was with only 15 fights behind him.
I think very highly of Witherspoon. He was an excellent all-around boxer with vicious power in his right hand. Too bad he was a lazy mother****er outside of the ring. Can't really favor him over one of the greatest champions like Lewis though he's on my short list of men that could upset just about anyone on the right night.
Let's not forget Steward trained Lewis went life and death with a similar but lesser talented fighter in Mercer, IMO Witherspoon either knocks him out or wins on points.
That could very well happen too. I think it all depends on how Lennox chooses to fight, weather it be intelligently or foolhardy.. He did the latter against Mercer.
I don't think it's fair to evaluate Lewis' H2H abilites based entirely on the Mercer fight. Lewis beat guys better than Mercer, and some in really impressive fashion.
Lennox could be out jabbed and didn't know how to handle Mercer, Witherspoon was a better boxer than Lewis. His size advantage over most opponents creates the myth that he was a better boxer than he actually was. I could say Lewis getting Rahman'd I really could.
A few things actually. He worked the body better, had better defense and arguably sturdier chin. He was also awkward to fight. Lewis was definitely the better all around heavyweight though. No question.
Common now, that's pretty harsh. Rahman didn't do anything better than Lewis either, and he managed to beat him. A young Spoon was certainly better than Rahman. Quick, athletic, good jab, good defense, good stamina, good movement, great chin, a lot of heart (when he was motivated) and a lethal overhand right. Very complete. Lewis wins but let's not rule out an upset here.