Larry Holmes Boxing News March 2002 on Lewis Vs Tyson

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by DS Phil Hunter, May 11, 2026.

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  1. DS Phil Hunter

    DS Phil Hunter Active Member Full Member

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    " Tyson is not the fighter he used to be and he'll never deserve to be called great. But he'll beat Lewis for one simple reason-Lewis doesn't have heart"

    Boxing News March 2002 on Lewis Vs Tyson
     
    DS Phil Hunter, May 11, 2026
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  2. Dynamicpuncher

    Dynamicpuncher Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I'm a Holmes fan but he did often sound quite bitter about some fighters IMO especially Tyson.

    I guess he questioned Lewis's heart because he got 1 shotted twice and didn't recover ?

    But I wouldn't say Lewis lacked heart at all the Mercer fight alone should end any debate on that.
     
    Dynamicpuncher, May 11, 2026
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  3. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Lewis didn't lack heart, and Larry certainly picked the wrong un here.
     
    Fergy, May 11, 2026
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  4. Sangria

    Sangria You bleed like Mylee Full Member

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    I remember this. Larry also went on a sports radio show closer to the actual date of the fight and said the same thing. I believe Jim Lampley was also a guest and argued that Tyson had never beaten a really big and powerful heavyweight outside of Razor Ruddock.

    24 years ago! Goodness. Gracious.
     
    Sangria, May 11, 2026
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  5. 2piece

    2piece Well-Known Member Full Member

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    This and I think he's said that he lacked aggression at times when he had the fight already won.
     
    2piece, May 11, 2026
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  6. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Larry didn't have much of anything nice to say about fellow fighters, unless he beat them.
     
    JohnThomas1, May 11, 2026
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  7. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    He’d fit in just fine on this forum tbf.
     
    NoNeck, May 11, 2026
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  8. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I love the clip where he sits with Ali, Norton and Frazier and says they'd all beat the brakes off Tyson, and the others look at him in different degrees of disbelief. Frazier then politely says he disagrees.
     
    Bokaj, May 12, 2026
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  9. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Yeah i remember that. It's been talked in here over the years as well. He had Cooney and Shavers beating Tyson as well in one interview.
     
    JohnThomas1, May 12, 2026
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  10. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    The rest of those guys were very pleasant in interviews, Foreman perhaps a bit too much so during his second career, but Holmes never let go of that chip on his shoulder. Certainly not towards Tyson.
     
    Bokaj, May 12, 2026
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  11. DS Phil Hunter

    DS Phil Hunter Active Member Full Member

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    He did accurately predict Tyson would go to prison back when they fought.
     
    DS Phil Hunter, May 12, 2026
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  12. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Yeah he was certainly butt hurt. I was actually surprised he picked Tyson to beat Lewis in this thread. Maybe it was an if he beat me he'd beat Lewis moment.
     
    JohnThomas1, May 12, 2026
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  13. jeevacation

    jeevacation My fav active fighter is Ebonie Cotton. banned Full Member

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    Larry being Larry.
     
    jeevacation, May 13, 2026
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  14. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    It wasn't that rare of opinion about Lewis at that time.
     
    MaccaveliMacc, May 13, 2026
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  15. Sangria

    Sangria You bleed like Mylee Full Member

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    That's exactly what I got from him immediately after he said it. If prime Tyson beat Holmes when Holmes was old, and an old Tyson beats a near prime Lewis, then Holmes can say he's greater than Lewis.

    The world according to Larry
     
    Sangria, May 13, 2026
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