Lennox Lewis was not an ATG

If this was a normal situation I could buy into this arguement, but not when contracts were signed and it was still up in the air as to who the best boxer of that particular time period was.

It was agreed to by all four parties, namely Holyfield, Bowe, Ruddock and Lewis that the winner of each of the these fights would fight each other. Quiting in mid-stream wasn't an option, especially with the winner of the Bowe-Lewis fight would have been universally recognized as the best of that time period. The fans were owed this fight and the contracts were signed for this fight to take place, so this criticism of Bowe is completely justified in this circumstance. And if the goal was to fight Tyson down the road, being universally recognized as the best of the area would have only increased the marketability of this bout because it could have been marketed as a show down of sorts. And this idea that this wasn't a marketable fight, Bowe trying avenge his Olympic loss against a guy who disposed of Ruddock in such devastating fashion, with the winner being recognized as the best of this time period, is a ridiculous agrument. This would have been Bowe's legacy fight and instead, he ducked out on it. His whole standing in terms of where he ranks has been altered by not taking this fight. Think where he'd be if he'd stepped up to the plate and won?

 

Couldn't have said it better myself. As you mentioned, the deal was already in motion and the contracts signed. No excuses whatsoever. The only thing that ruined the deal was that neither Bowe nor Newman anticipated Lewis utterly destroying Ruddock in such decisive fashion.. Had nothing to do with them thinking that more money could be made fighting Ferguson, Dokes, Mercer, etc...

 

Holyfield cemented Bowe's legacy. Oliver Mcall destroyed the myth that Lennox Lewis was some monster (at that time).

 

So you're trying to tell me a win, over that version of Lewis, at that particular time, wouldn't have mattered to Bowe's legacy...that's laughable

 

No Im not saying that, but its not like his legacy wasnt enhanced by his performances with Evander Holyfield, who at the time was a much more popular proven heavyweight. Alot of what you think is such a big deal had more hype than substance behind it.
It was proven in three subsequent performances that Lewis wasnt really ready to be the dominant champ he became later on. Lewis was dispatched in the same fashion he dispatched Ruddock by a worse fighter.

 

Bowe's whole career is essentially based on three fights, all with Holyfield, a win over that version of Lewis would have included him in the debate as to who was the best of that era, and depending on the time frame discussed he likely would have wound up on top.

Even today we may well be talking about the best of four fighters, namely Holyfield, Tyson, Lewis and Bowe, instead of just three, with Bowe generally being eliminated from the discussion. And if Bowe had wins over two of these fighters, he would have had a good shot at the top spot.

Especially true if they had a rematch, as was the case with McCall, and Bowe had won that fight as well.

Instead he eliminated himself from the discussion, so how much more important could a fight have been?

 

Your right his career was based on three fights with Evander, but thats three fights with an ATG. Bowe should have done a lot of things differently, one was fighting Lewis, but I would have liked to seen it after the Gonzalez fight when it was looking like it might happen and Lewis was a little more polished. I truly believe it wouldnt have been that competitive of a fight as so many seem to think early on after Bowe initially won the title. Bowe had become a much better fighter under Futch, while Lewis was still very sloppy raw and amatuer looking.
Unfortunately Bowe will always remain at the tail end of that list, but thats not because he was a chump or overated, just some bad career decisions and poor conditioning is what put him there.

 

And that, my friend, was my whole point.

 

Lewis was not an ATG? The criteria for an ATG must be very very strict indeed if thats the case.

 

I cant believe this argument continues to rattle on hes a stonewall ATG in my book.

 

Whats coming next? Duran wasn't an ATG? Whitaker? Hearns?

 

Lennox Lewis is an all time great.

 

I agree that it was a hugley marketable fight, and Newman and Bowe messed up by avoiding it. But I think the strategy went wrong in hindsight when Bowe lost to Holyfield.

Could you elaborate of this "signed contracts" thing ? Did Lennox Lewis sue for breach of contract ?

 

Yes, but the reason he is mentioned alongside Holyfield Lewis and Tyson is because he has that distinction. Both Tyson and Lewis never faced an ATG in their respective prime for a series of fights. Because Bowe was basically undefeated against everyone else elevates him to a high stature.
In my opinion Lennox Lewis has the least impressive career (not from an accomplishment point), but mostly because he never faced an all time great in their prime, and for the most part always took the cautious road to victory, especially against the biggest threats. Thats just my opinion though.

 

I agree. Thank you.