I think you have to evaluate these fighters in their respective eras. Ali was just barely 200 pounds or under during his prime. How do you compare that to a guy who is 250 in the similar type of physical condition? Its hard to do that. Then you have to look at the competition in their respective eras and at which time the fights took place. How can you say Lewis was the greatest? 95% of the contenders he fought never became champion or did anything in the sport. He fought Tyson and Holyfield well past their primes. Some of the better contenders he did fight in his prime, Mcall, Mercer, Bruno, Rahman, he struggled a bit. The only way you could say something like that is speculation as to how his career would have turned out had he fought better guys in his career, and thats not to say it was Lewis' fault, he was a late bloomer. Had he fought Bowe, Tyson, and Holyfield at their respective peaks and beaten them, then you could make an arguement for GOAT.
Sub-average fighters have contested and won world titles/ lost the contest for world titles... One single win is often the difference between CHAMP and JOURNEYMAN.
Bowe refused to fight Lewis in his prime, was obviously not confident enough. Tyson paid Lewis $4million in stepaside with promise he'd fight Lewis next after Seldon - or be stripped. He renegged on that agreement and vacated thebelt rather than fight Lewis in 96. Can't blame Lewis if he was too good that he frightened away his most formidable threats. Did Ali ever scare anyone away like that? Listen, they both greats of their time. I prefer Lewis's career, you prefer Ali's.
To answer the question - H2H yes maybe lewis is #1 Hw of all time. But in achievements he is long behind Ali and Luis and even Mike. Mike did very hard thing he collected all belts one by one in less than 2 years and defended titles 6 times in two next years.
Good question. Ali didnt. Louis didnt. Obviously no fighter who was curently the lineal champion got avoided. This content is protected Sam Lanbgford and Harry Wills were equaly avoided. The only fighter who held a title who got avoided by challengers, to my knowledge is Jack Johnson.
Maybe it's just me but it seems to me that Lewis' win over Vitali is looming larger and larger in terms significance the more Vitali continues to dominate the division (albeit his age is showing). In addition to that, I think it also blows your post out of the water about fighting champions past their respective primes. Having said that you're the type of anti-Lewis poster I fully expect to question the victory. BTW, you probably don't remember but we had a back and forth discussion on Lewis about 2 years ago in the general forum. Glad you're still posting here.