Lennox Lewis - Was He Really The Most Skilled...

Larry was kind of borderline superheavyweight. He was champion at the time when they started getting bigger. Wasn't Joe Frazier 205 pounds when he was champ? That would be a small guy now. Larry in 1982 or so was like 214 or so, yet when he fought Spinks wasn't he near 224 I think? When he fought Butterbean he was about 250. As for Lennox, he was the first really good skilled "superheavyweight". And I think that helped him with his legacy. Since then the big guys have started to dominate. I always thought they should have a superheavyweight division. The Klitchko's success is helped a lot by them being bigger and outsizing guys. If they were the size of Larry Holmes we would not know who they were.

 

The "Super Heavyweight" really came about in the 90's, a time in sport (most notably baseball) where steroids became mainstream. I am sure that at some point in their careers that Lewis as well as the Klitschko's have used them. (Check ESPN magazine spring of 2003 interview with Tommy Morrison) This doesn't enhance their SKILLS as much as give a size and weight advantage. Put either Klit in with a top of his game Larry Holmes (even at 214) and I feel they would be soundly beaten. Gerry Cooney also was 6'6 1/2" but only weighed around 225 at the time he fought for the title. George Foreman at 6'4" weighed in before he retired at 221-225. When he came out of retirement he was a true Super Heavyweight!

 

I agree with the Holmes fight. The size helps the Klitchko's a lot. Lennox I think was a great fighter regardless of size.

 

Holmes at 253 looked like the Pillsbury Doughboy. Lennox Lewis and the Klitschko's can carry near that weight and still be pretty lean. They are true superheavyweights!

 

Yes.

 

Lennox didn't look that lean at 253. The Klitchkos yes, which tells you that they are just big guys who are natural at that weight. The only question I have about Holmes vs. Lennox is what happens if Lennox lands the right on Holmes chin. Something tells me it would not land clean.It would be an interesting fight. Holmes never had a Lennox to contend with that is for sure. Larry was an ATG. He could have been in the Ali/Frazier/Foreman era easily. I am not sure how a Larry Holmes of 1982 deals with a Foreman of 1973, but I think he was greater than Foreman.

 

Yes ofcourse he is, its not close and 6'3/215 isn't a SHW

 

Holmes had super heavy dimensions in height and reach, but not in weight. If Holmes were fighting today, I think he would be at least 220-225.

There is not set definition of a modern day super heavyweight with skills, but I think anyone who is 6’4”, 230+ pounds and has a 79+” reach pretty much qualifies.

The skills part is different. That has to be show in the ring. For the past 20 years, the heavyweight divison's #1 guy has been a super heavy for perhaps 15 of those 20 years. I do not see the trend changing anytime soon.

 

Riddick Bowe?

 

Couldn't outjab a guy if his life depended on it, nor throw a straight right hand. His defence was also very weak; journeymen had 50% connect rates on him.


I'm not sure if Lennox is the most skilled of all, though, but certainly by far the most complete package as a superheavyweight.

 

I'd say he's one of the most skilled of all the biggest men in the history of heavyweight boxing.

I will admit that he hasn't been one of my favourites as a fighter over the years but since his retirement and revisiting his career, I've gained much respect for him as both a person and a fighter. People I've talked to who've bumped into him in Jamaica always have positive things to say about Lewis. The man does make time for his fans without arrogance.

However, I still don't believe he deserved the nod against Holyfield in the rematch even though the first fight was a clear robbery. He didn't look impressive against Frank Bruno, and Shannon Briggs might have taken him out if he had paced himself better. Although he vindicated himself against Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman, Lewis should have been better prepared for the climate in Africa against Rahman, no excuses. He also escaped with a questionable win against Ray Mercer.

I do like how he handled Mike Tyson after having a second look at that fight. Lewis probably could have finished Tyson earlier, but I appreciate the fact that he didn't try to bomb him out early, winging punches wildly at risk of getting caught by one of Tyson's big shots. He stayed on the outside, boxed him and landed his signature right hand, making Tyson quit.

He calls himself a "Pugilistic Specialist" which is reasonable for a big man that could move.

 

Lennox Lewis athletic ability was underrated. There has been no heavyweight his size with his speed or agility. That's what made it so difficult to out box him, he had all the advantages and Share size. No one in the history of Lennox Lewis's career had ever out boxed him or dominated him, even when he was beaten, it was because he made mistakes.

No one ever! ever! dominated him. 99.9% of the time, his oponents only had a punchers chance, or could only hope to beat him on volume.

A very bad man..!

Lennox Lewis.

Even in his last fight against VK, Lennox Lewis was in terrible shape. And just thought to himself, i will man handle VK, Lennox Lewis throw Evander Holyfield around the ring like a rag doll. And Evander Holyfield knew how to handle himself against big superheavyweights..............................................

 

Unfortunately it rather blunts the debate, but I think the short answer is the right answer: yes, Lewis is the most skilled superheavy ever. I don't really understand how anyone could even suggest Holmes was a superheavy considering his weight at his peak. The only real challenger to Lewis that I can think of is Bowe, but despite Bowe's superior infighting ability, I still think Lewis was a more complete package and a more skilled fighter.

Also (slight digression), I'd back peak Lewis to beat peak Holmes.

 

I certainly think he is. In terms of what a superheavyeight is, I think anyone over 230, that's taller than 6'3 and has a reach close to 80" would qualify. Holmes. Ali and Foreman were close to this, but not quite there. Interesting to note however, they were all big for their era, which no doubt helped.