Lennox Lewis at least took out Rahman

fair point that might have been the wrong way to put it. but at the time many people felt he was going to beat Lewis again, when in reality he wasnt in the same class. The overall point is he was probably easier to beat that Ruiz would have been.

 

Don't compare Joshua to Lewis.

 

Lewis McCall was a mandatory, no rematch clause. McCall was bound to fight Bruno. Then Tyson was moved up which Lewis contested in court after he had regained number one contender position by beating Butler in an eliminater. Don King then steered Tyson away from facing his mandatory which was Lewis. Tyson then vacated rather than face Lewis resulting in the Lewis McCall rematch.

 

I've heard that " one punch knock out " Lewis Rahman from many and don't really subscribe. Lewis was distracted making a forgettable appearance in Oceans Eleven iirc and flew to South Africa late, maybe a week before, not long enough to acclimatize, because hey, who needs to, it's Rahman after all. Rahman meanwhile was in SA in time to properly acclimatize and he gave himself his best chance at victory, Lewis did not. I haven't seen the fight in years, but I recall Rahman hitting Lewis flush several times in the rounds leading up to the KO punch. Lewis underestimated Rahman and paid for it, just like Joshua.

The rematch showed the gulf in talent between Rahman and Lewis.

The difference in talent between Joshua and Ruiz is closer. I agree that it was a boring fight, but it was the best, safest game plan Joshua could execute. I didn't pay to see the first fight, I wasn't going to pay to see him fight Miller either, I didn't pay to see the rematch on Saturday either but I will probably buy Joshua Wilder / Fury or any of the three. I won't pay for what are in my eyes exhibition bouts.

 

Indeed, Lennox is the greatest of all time according to George Foreman

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Watch the Chris Areolla Vs vitali Klitschko fight for comparison. At least Chris tried to catch up to his opponent, Ruiz did nothing he would of been better waiting on the ropes to make Joshua come towards him than just to follow him like that.

 

Even if AJ knocked him out it still can't change the fact that he got knocked out by Ruiz. That should never have happened but it did, and you can't erase a loss no matter what you do. It's all about risk and reward, he had absolutely everything to lose. His whole career would have been up in flames had he lost yesterday. So he takes a little stick from some corners for not knocking ruiz out, no one will care. It was a commanding performance all the same and made people realise Ruiz stands little to chance in the trilogy fight if that were ever to happen. Job fking done.

 

It's the nature of the beast and what keeps us coming back for more even though we know better! I've bought my share of stinkers in the past for sure!

 

I am saying the post I replied to argues that AJ (at age 30) is not destined for greatness because he was knocked out by Ruiz. Then he lists Lewis is his prime example but he fails to register that Lewis himself was knocked out by McCall at age 30 and was completely written off at the time.

Lewis redeemed himself at a later stage. AJ still has the chance to cement a solid legacy in the coming 5-6 years. Or he fails and gets knocked out again, the future will show. It's too early to say and write him off.

 

Key point you make is "when the opportunity came". It never really came against Ruiz.