As a huge Holmes fan I may not be deemed as impartial on this subject, but I've done resume comparisons between him and Lewis before and always thought they faced a fairly similar comp in terms of level.
Of course it would. I saw someone banging on about it around 12 months ago in here. They couldn't get past it. Many a boxing fan (there are plenty of homophobes and he-men among us) shudders at the mere rumour.
All the shuddering in the world won't change the record book, Lennox's record really stands up what ever side of the team he bats for. homophobes and he men are much more wary these days. Perhaps not privately. But I think the momentum those rumours gained would be crushed earlier now. There was no substation to them anyway.
Fact is Lennox wasnt gay, he had a string of girlfriends,he just kept boxing and his private life seperate. He said he wanted a wife and family AFTER boxing, which is what he's done. The fact that his life isn't a car crash played out in the public eye credits him further. He always conducted himself with class and got out on his terms.Just a good guy. I think some people prefer the Tyson-esque drama and profile. People saying Lennox was chinny are really saying they weren't fans of his.
Surely though a flash knockdown is what it states, you barely touch the canvas and you're back on your feet. Larry went down then stumbled into the ring post when he tried to get up.
Why care if he is gay or straight? It should never enter ones thought process the same as race or nationality. It does not matter.
Not sure I agree John. Twenty seven years after the Douglas loss and people still aren't letting him live it down.
You're right that he scored wins over all of them, but it's worth mentioning that he got the rematches he needed to while not giving them to his closest wins. I don't subscribe to the theory that he owed it to anyone to stay in boxing instead of retiring, but that still doesn't undo that Vitali and Mercer gave him tough fights and didn't get their second shot.