Is Lennox Lewis overrated? He was good though,but was he that good?

Then Lewis would have come in. Tyson/Holyfield much sooner in his career.

 

I remember that time. In 1996, Lewis was mainly known for being quickly knocked out by Tyson's underrated sparring partner and failing to beat Mercer. I think if he had knocked out Ray or defeated him more decisively, his market value would have increased significantly and Mike would have won, but things turned out differently. People preferred Tyson-Bowe or Tyson-Holy.
Wake up – boxing is a business. Lewis himself gave up the WBA and IBF belts. I don't blame him – he chose more money over a bigger sport. Just like Tyson.
It's a joke to hear that Tyson was afraid of Lewis in 1996 and stopped being afraid in 2002.

 

Maybe a tad bit overrated, but he was legit. If you were a problem he could get you outta there.

 

He didn't drop the WBA belt and it was explained to you many times. He did drop the WBA tho.

 

Yes, I think sentiment played a role. Lewis was less popular and seemed more dangerous, younger, and his name didn't guarantee the same money as Holyfield's. Very simple, clear, and logical. That's how this business works. Lewis himself did the same thing when he wasn't fighting Ruiz and Byrd. I have no problem with that.

 

People need to remember that Lewis broke the century old stereotype of the horizontal Brit heavyweight. He was almost considered an afterthought to Bowe, Mercer and Moorer as to who would take over once Holyfield's placeholder time at the top was over. He ended up being far greater than any of them and we now celebrate him as the GOAT.

 

He didn't do the same thing because neither were regarded as major threats and were not better than the guys he actually fought.

So not comparable

 

Well, whether Lewis '96 was better than Holyfield '96 is as questionable as whether Grant, Botha, Tua, or Rahman were better than Byrd or Ruiz, right? I understand you have no doubts.

 

I believe he belongs in the top 5 of any Heavyweight list. He was an all time great, and, at his best, could have been very competitive with Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali (or any other Heavyweight) in their primes.