Best five wins thread. Lineal / Ring Magazine heavyweight champions.

Vitaly
Holy
Ruddock
Rahman (more because he'd been KO'd by him and brutally returned the favour than because of Rahman's quality)
Tyson

 

I think both would have had a good case.

 

Well Smith, Dokes and Jackson are reasonable wins but Razor like Cleveland Williams-and indeed Golota- was famous for his two big losses. I mean you were championing Mavorick, who did he beat?

 

I think Mendoza was impressed by Marovic's effort vs Lewis, as was I. Obviously Marovic's resume isn't great but he wasn't even 30 and was forced to retire early.

 

So was I but I was replying to the criticism of the placings of Golota and Rudduck on the grounds that they hadn't beaten anybody.

 

Ruddock and Golota were quality contenders but truth be told they were both in 2 tremendous wars before Lewis faced them. Golota vs Bowe was savage and Tyson vs Ruddock was savage. They were both ripe to be picked off by Lennox.

 

good point.

 

Ruddock was the betting favorite, and he was very highly regarded at the time.

Ruddock and Golota were both men expected to give Lewis a good fight, for good reasons, and they got annihilated!

 

1. Holyfield - It is hard to argue against this. He was the best fighter Lennox beat, although it was a close fight from memory and not as dominant as it coudl have been.
2. Tyson - Most People (casual viewers) didnt really rate Lennox as highly as Holyfield and Tyson, despite the Holyfield losses was still considered the favourite in many people's eyes. His victory was decisive and dominant even if Tyson was further gone than most at the time realised.
3. Rahman - He was the World Champion. And winning back the title is a big deal historically speaking. Rahman was young and prime and he did comprehensively and thoroughly outclass him.
4. Vitali - Considered a decent prospect at the time, and a stepping stone to his brother (who was KOd around this time from memory), Vitali got his main rub from this losing performance. He also went on to prove he was a lot better than thought at this time. The fact that Lennox showed up old and out of shape, but still found a way to win makes this a good win.
5. Golota - I know he was later KOd by others, but at the time he was considered a classy opponent. Undefeated outside the Bowe fights and even though he lost those fights, he did dominate and most considered him as good or better than Bowe at this time. Lennox didnt just win, he obliterated him. I think this stands out from several other fights that were also very good wins. Lewis does have an excellent resume, as good as anyones. the Second five would still be pretty solid and head to head dangerous for anyone.

 

Vitali was not lineal champion.

 

Vitali

1. Sanders. Sanders was coming off his best win vs Wlad, but he might have been slightly past his prime, still good win.
2. Peter. Peter was crude but a good puncher.
3. Adamek.
4. Kirk Johnson
5. Gomez