How'd we see Lennox, rather than fighting Tua, Golota, Brigg's,Grant etc, meeting Ali's opponents after Foreman? I don't really see anyone beating him, but then again I didn't see Rahman coming either!
Well Ali did fight a peak Holmes after Foreman so that's a fight I see Lewis losing. But the rest of the fighters Lewis should win if he's 100 percent. But if Lewis takes one of the big punchers lightly like Lyle or Shavers maybe 1 of them could have there Rahman moment.
I think Shavers is far too fragile chinned to beat any version of Lewis. Shavers will have to take some huge shots just to get close and i don't see it personally. If Lewis gets very complacent, there is a chance but i do not see it. Maybe a 10% chance of a Shavers upset. Lyle has a shot. He was durable, long armed and could crack. I rate Lyle as a bigger hitter than either Rahman or McCall or even Briggs who unofficially knocked Lewis down. Lewis should win but Lyle has a real punchers chance. Bugner had the physical tools but was too passive. I do think Bugner could go the distance and have a bit more success than Marovic. Hell, if Marovic could win 3 rounds in 12, Bugner could probably win 4. In a 15 rounder, Bugner could give him a harder time. I do not know how well Lewis's stamina would hold up in the championship rounds (13-15) but obviously i still favour Lewis. Young does not have the offensive tools but could go the distance. Frazier in Manilla was just not as quick as the younger version and would not be able to do to well. I see Lewis stopping this Frazier, Wepner, Dunn and Spinks would all be wiped out in 2 rounds or less.
Holmes is the one fight he is most likely to lose. Both Norton and Lyle are danger men, too - even though I'd lean heavily towards Lewis winning those bouts.
I think it's a guy like Lyle or Shaver's that stand the best chance of scoring an upset, guys with power in their gloves. I see Lennox against those two as similar to Briggs v Lewis, short but exciting Norton, sorry but he's going by way of ko. Bugner maybe last the distance. Frazier by then, well we know the score. Lennox stops the brave warrior. A young Larry Holmes is the danger point, he's got to be.
Yeah i reckon Holmes beats him. Holmes was quicker than anything Lewis ever faced and could sustain a high work rate. Holmes was open to the right hand but still, i think he could outwork Lewis in a hard fight.
The jab would be the key. Mercer out jabbed Lewis as did Bruno. Holmes would beat Lewis to the jab with his quicker snappier jab. The handspeed and better stamina of Holmes would also be the difference over the distance IMO. Holmes may have to get off the floor to do it but I think he would outpoint Lewis. Quicker hands, better mobility, better jab, more stamina.
True. And while Holmes was offensively not great, he had above average power and quick hands. If Holmes lands a right that Lewis doesn't see coming, Lewis could easily end up on the floor. I think both guys probably taste the canvas but i see Holmes out jabbing him as you said.
Lewis wouldn't "eat" Shavers' punch like Ali did; however, I'm not sure Lewis would even take such a punch. Holmes is a different story. Holmes has a better chin than almost all (or all) of Lewis' opponents and here the chances are imho 50:50; it also depends on which version of Lewis it is. Mostly people are confused whether it is Holmes or Lewis ATG HW No.3.
I mean thats assuming that Lewis allows Shavers to hit him that hard, we must remember that it was an old Ali that would lean on the ropes consistently. Also Lewis could take a punch when he could see it coming and Shavers was very predictable. Also bit of class cannon and if Quarry a good puncher but not on the level Lewis could make him face plant in round 1, Lewis can.
It was Lewis's arrogance that cost him vs Rahman. Lewis put his arms down offered Rahman a free shot and Rahman said thank you very much and got Lewis out of there. Lewis on paper should take Shavers seriously and blast him out of there but sometimes Lewis wasn't always 100 percent in all his fights. On paper Lewis should've outboxed Mercer via a wide decision but found himself in a life and death struggle. 9 times out of 10 Lewis should beat Shavers but it only takes one good right hand from Shavers so if Lewis does get complacent then Shavers has a chance.