To answer this I think prime needs to be clarified, is it his prime years or his absolute peak night? I believe there is a big difference as many fighters have had poor performances but ground out wins and have had career best performances but still ended up losing. Because on Lennox’s absolute peak night no heavyweight in history can beat Lennox on that night. However if he shows up any less than perfect, he is capable of getting knocked out by any serious puncher. Worst thing for Lennox would be a shorter swarmer with a strong chin and high activity rate. I’m not saying he’s not tough but even if he was in his prime years I feel like Lennox isn’t the guy to come back to win after a couple early knocks downs and getting dragged through the trenches against someone like Frazier or Norton but for them I think size would hold them back. So I’m struggling to think of some one who could do what I described and be big enough to withstand Lennox. TLDR I guess nobody.
I have 1959_1960 sonny liston, 1967 Muhammad Ali, 1973 George Foreman and a 1979 Larry Holmes. Lewis might have a chance against anyone, but in one fight, i think he handily loses to them. As for the fighters i believe would have a very good chance at beating the lion, but would not be favored to do so, i think a 1988 Mike Tyson, a 1971 Joe Frazier, 1938 Joe Louis and a 1992 Bowe. Also have another answer that may not be as fact filled as the others, and you might as well howl a lot about it, but any other sledgehammer puncher would have a chance. But i will end it by saying that NONE of them (except for Foreman and Liston) would be favored over the lion.
Yes...they all COULD. But do i highly favor them? Not really! Young Tyson could also. Also Dempsey could slay him like he did to Willard. He was so explosive and vicious. For me much depends on the referee. Lewis often fouled against shorter men. Stiff arm, pushing down etc.
Lennox for me is arguably H2H the greatest HW of all time. On his very best night, I'd give the below 5 fighters the best chance; Bowe 88 Tyson Vitali Larry Holmes Ali
Agreed he was a monster at his best .. that said, and none are locks .. Ali Holmes Tyson Louis Holyfield .. surprised not mentioned ..at 37 he did fight Lewis competitive .. he had the chin, the speed, the strength and will ... I think the version that beat Douglas has a hell of a chance ..
Ali Tyson (slightly leaning towards him) Holmes Liston Holyfield Foreman Fury is a very live underdog.
Ali, Prime Mike Tyson, maybe prime Holyfield (from judging the second fight). Head to head he is a nightmare because of his size, power, jab, reach etc
Lennox could bang but he was a safety first fighter. He would use his size advantage to smother a prime Tyson to survive the early rounds and then go to work.
Nobody since. Joe Louis, '64-67 and '70-74 Ali, 1987-1988 Tyson, FOTC Frazier, 79-81 Holmes, '92 Bowe, quite possibly Liston.
