How can 3 men of that stature be so wrong?

I think you are right with the Tyson - Jones comparison.

The rest is a matter of opinion, and I don't share yours, whilst respecting your reasons.

I don't think it is all that close either. Lewis was without doubt the best heavyweight of his era, and there were no pretenders - they all got knocked out.

Can Calzaghe say the same thing?

Don't think so IMO.

Being undefeated and making 20 title defences is great, but against what?

Of 18 non-unified defences, only Woodhall and Reid were actually something like world class at the time. Some other defences were well past their peak and did nothing of note afterwards, others were just awful.

Lacy hasn't proved to be anything special and Jones was shot. Kessler will achieve plenty in the future IMO, Hopkins obviously a legend - though I felt Joe lost.

 

For me Lennox is so far ahead it's laughable

I can only think people don't count him as a Brit

McGuingan has a track record for sticking to the party line, and maybe Hatton and Benn are not historians

Hatton in particular is the type of guy who will say what he thinks he SHOULD say in many circumstances

As we see time and again on this board people read far too much into what these fighters say sometimes

 

Its embarrassing trying to make a case against Lewis.... seriously...Its not even like you can get the DVDs out and go look at the class of this guy... because he didn't fight pretty.

 

Hatton is mates with Calzaghe, Barry chats a lot of ****, he raves about Khan but is critical of Haye.

There are brilliant ex footballers who don't have Maradona in their top 3 players of all time, doesn't mean they are right because they played the sport to a high level.

 

Hatton talks ****

McGuigan talks even more ****

Benn is a bit punchy




Lewis >>>>>> Calzaghe

 

They don't know more about the sport in a historical context than some people on this forum. Why would they? We can research just as easily as they can.

 

Being at the top of their game doesn't mean they're a good of judge of these things. A lot of sportsman are given to hyperbole and the three guys you have mentioned are classic examples of this.

As for your "weak era" and "bums" comments, I'll assume you're angry because your favourite fighter has taken something of a shellacking on here today.

 

The same Golota that destroyed Bowe twice and was considered the #2 heavy behind Lewis?

 

Benn and Hatton are both fellow boxers who are friendly with Joe. They are both also over complimentary friendly sorts. A guy retiring after how long Joe has been in the game is bound to result in a wash of affection from fellow guys in the game.

 

Just look at Lewis's career and how the fighters he faced were ranked:

91-92 - mason (no5), Rudduck (no3)
93 - Bruno (5), Tucker (10?)
95 - Morrison (top10),
96 - Mercer (6)
97 - Golota (considered no1 after the Bowe fights), McCall (top10), Akiwande (top10 and WBO belt holder)
98 - Briggs (top5 and linear champ)
99 - Holyfield (top2 and ATG)
00 - Tua (top3), Grant (top5)
01 - Rahman (no1, regains championship)
02 - Tyson (still top4)
03 - Vitali (top3)

Now compare that to Calzaghe who only fought 2 top10 fighters from 2001-2006, both of them losing their previous fights.

 

Actually many considered Golota the best HW on the planet, and Lewis was the first to beat him and in 1roudn at that, Ridicolous isn't it, these kids have been watching boxing for 5miniutes

 

I suppose Golota had the two losses to Bowe...... but both were best described as shallow - he was winning both very easily.

He was never all that cracking in truth, but a worthy win nonetheless, especially taking into account the manner of the victory.

 

People get a bit emotional around this time because its the end of a era

In my lifetime................Lennox Lewis stands out as the greatest fighter of my generation I was in my teens when alot of fights Lewis was fighting and I wacthed them all big American fights

Golota
Briggs

good memorys

Lets not forget also Lewis outstanding Amateur pedigree......and he was a big big puncher which is another stand out attribute that sets him apart

Behind him you got the likes of Calzaghe, Hamed, Eubank, Benn, etc

Just speaking from my time of watching boxing.............1990's growing up..........and beyond

 

I think Lewis will go down as one of the greatest HW's of all time, H2H and resume.

Calzaghe is merely a very good fighter, excellent H2H I'd say, and distinctly average on resume.

Lewis would be right at the top of the tree in ANY era. Calzaghe wouldn't.