It’s ok I don’t mind being insulted! As it happens I wouldn’t have said that when Lewis retired, not least because of his opponents. I’d add that Fury’s roster of opponents will not change in 1,5,10 or 20 years. It’s the lack of meaningful tests that can’t be accounted for in any analysis, imo.
"As it happens I wouldn’t have said that when Lewis retired" Even if you wouldn't, champions rarely get their due in their time. It's just a historical fact. "I’d add that Fury’s roster of opponents will not change in 1,5,10 or 20 years." "1" is probably wrong unless Fury retires now. A major reason why Lewis's resume was described as "thin" going into Holyfield 2 for instance was because his opponents hadn't fought the guys they were going to fight before the end of their careers. For instance, let's say Ngannou beats Joshua in his next fight (this won't happen as Joshua will fight Charr/Kabayel next but let's pretend). Suddenly Fury's resume gets a boost without him doing anything. "It’s the lack of meaningful tests" This is absurd. Fury's had more wars than any other active heavyweight barring Chisora and he's been the underdog more times than any top heavyweight since Holyfield. He also would have been a clear underdog against Haye had Haye not pulled out a week removed from their scheduled fight. He's fought and beat several styles that didn't exist in previous eras, the 272 lbs MMA hulk being the latest. Fury is unbeaten but this is because he's better/less vulnerable/more adaptable than other heavyweights, past or present, not because he "hasn't been tested".
Lewis resume Biggs, Weaver, Mason, Ruddock, Bruno, Mercer, Morrison, Tucker, McCall, Tua, Briggs, Golota, Holyfield, Tyson, Klitschko Fury’s resume Chisora, Whyte, Wilder, Wallin, Schwartz, Pianeta, Klitschko, Hammer, Abell, Rogan, McDermott, Cunningham, Johnson, Maddalone, Firtha That’s 15 fighters from both guys resumes,if you think Lewis resume is overrated then you must know Fury’s is f-ckin diabolical, they’re not even comparable loll
Agreed. Red beard makes a good case on this thread, most of which I would agree with (champions not getting their due etc), but these names really do represent a tough ask for anyone making an argument Fury could be GOAT. Not sure even beating Usyk changes this too much.
Lewis's top wins: Vitali (controversial doctor's stoppage), Holyfield (6'1.5, former 190 pounder, KO'd by Bowe 4 years prior, about to go 1-1-1 with J. Ruiz) Lewis's draw: Holyfield (robbery) Lewis's losses: 24-5 crackhead McCall, 8 years boxing experience Rahman 2-2-1 Fury's top wins: Wlad (clear UD, broke an all time defensive record), Wilder x2 Fury's draw: Wilder (highly controversial) 3-0-1 Wlad and Wilder are both 6'5+, athletic, one-punch KO artists, Olympic medallists and long-reigning champions. Lewis has no one like that on his record and ducked a pre-prison Tyson by staying in the amateurs until he was 23 and fighting bums for a while after that. Fury beat a good southpaw in Wallin, Lewis beat low level journeyman blown-up LHW southpaw Greg Gorrell and ducked Byrd. Fury may fight GOAT cruiser and southpaw heavyweight Usyk next. Lewis's heaviest opponent was 5'11, 261 lbs obese journeyman Lionel Butler, Fury's is the 6'4, 272 lbs world's hardest punch record lineal UFC heavyweight champion. Even second raters on Fury's resume like Chisora and Whyte are arguably the best wins of fighters like Vitali, Haye and Povetkin.
Hes a very average heavy weight that relies on his reach and holding. Big one two a swipe then lunge forfward and hold on for dear life , and the suckers that fall for this blagger know little about boxing .His legacy is he has draged boxing through the mud . Hes had very few title fights with very few top opponents yet he seems to think he is in the top 5 greatest..... What utter crap
He was terrible against Ngannou but I don't think he was mentally switched on for it whatsoever... no fear factor, thought all he had to do was turn up etc , not in the right head space whatsoever. Shane Fury's interview spoke volumes and made complete sense. Expect him to be fully firing for Usyk.
Lewis an all time British great who fought everyone in that tough era without hesitation. Gut feeling is that I think Lewis, Prime Tyson and Holyfield wipe out current era.
Don't think the dosser can turn it round myself. He's going to mess around Usyk and quit. February is another fake date.
Holyfield went 1-1 with a weak chinned blown-up LHW in southpaw Moorer, even he admitted he'd probably lose to Usyk "in this era" (and Steward described Holyfield as "the most egotistical of all fighters"). Coming off outhustling Rahman he said that he didn't want to fight blown-up LHW southpaw Byrd but fought him anyway and got schooled. Holyfield had great heart though, more than Lewis (who wasn't even considered British at the time, whether he was Canadian, Jamaican or American) or Tyson for sure.
First time I've seen fury look off in his ring walk. Not in a wilder fan 'he was drugged' conspiracy way but he just looked off.
Once you have earned £100m plus , it takes an exceptionally dedicated person to have the same heart, hunger and desire for any combat sport. I fear Fury has lost his desire.