Did Lennox Lewis avoid the Chris Byrd and John Ruiz fights

Impossible to say if Lewis beats Byrd word was he struggled with lefties. How badly I don’t know, but he never mixed it up with Byrd, Moorer, Sanders. That was by design.
He was a better fighter than all of them but if a fighter can’t handle southpaws I can’t confidently just pick him because he was a better fighter overall.

 

He avoided them because he didn't give a **** about fighting them. He was at the point of his career where he was pretty much finished, and only motivated for a few superfights.

The only way could beat him was complancey, but Byrd wasn't a puncher so I think Lewis would be able to find a way to win.

Wasn't Ruiz so dire they got rid of him after seeing him spar?

 

I cannot see Lewis avoiding either or both, unless if it were simply due to the money not being worth it. But I don't foresee that, either.

 

He fought Grant who was a better fight than Ruiz. He also later fought Tua instead which is a million times better.

When it was time for Byrd to start wanting title shots he went for the fight with Tyson instead. Looking back Byrd would have been a better fight but at the time everyone wanted Lewis Tyson it was huge.

But he did eventually face a mandatory when he fought Vitali who was the tougher of the 3 men so I don't really hold it against him.

 

Good to see you're still around.

 

Cheers man, you too

 

I dunno, weren't Lewis suppose to be meeting Larry Donald but when Donald pulled out, Vitali stepped in as a last minute substitute? Lewis went on to win the fight but it's clear he certainly didn't want no part of any rematch against Vitali.

 

It was Kirk Johnson. Klitschko had a fight on the undercard against Cedric Boswell and stepped in. I thought Johnson was a mandatory but am likely wrong

 

I don't think Lewis ducked anyone .. he was the most ducked fighter in the division through out his entire career ..

 

It was Kirk Johnson, he was the mandatory and when he pulled out Vitali took his place.

 

Maybe but y'know I was watching a tape of the first Tyson v Ruddock fight from 1991 not so long ago.It may have been a version with British commentary because Lewis was part of the commentary team as a guest and it sounded like he was in awe of Tyson when describing what he was watching. It was nothing that he said specifically and maybe it was just my imagination but from hearing the way Lewis was talking about Tyson, it seemed like he wanted no part of any possible upcoming fight with Tyson back then in 91.

 

I'm glad someone pointed out that Lewis was scheduled to fight Kirk Johnson, not Vitali Klitschko.
Clearly, the idea that he turned down Byrd and Ruiz "because they weren't worth it" doesn't quite figure when he's quite prepared to face Kirk Johnson.
This was at a time when Byrd, more credible than Johnson and an IBF title holder, was seemingly keen to face Lewis.

I don't hold it against Lewis at all, legacy wise, and his willingness to face Vitali at short notice is commendable, but the double standards from his big supporters is apparent when other champions are bashed quite hard for dumping belts and avoiding mandatories.

 

He avoided Byrd to save himself the embarrassment of sharing the ring with such a non-factor. What credit would have Lewis gotten for that fight? None.. Manny said the guy wasn't good enough to be his sparring partner.

Ruiz had his stock dropped way down after his 3 awful fights with Vander so Lewis had no interest in facing such a stink merchant.
The Grant fight was far more appealing and marketable , but in hindsight , Ruiz would have looked better on his resume.

 

I'd have to revisit it .. I have also read that King and Team Tyson were in no rush to get int w Lewis either, especially after his first big showing when he destroyed Ruddock ..