Interesting quote from Lennox Lewis

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by bonds, Mar 21, 2011.

  1. bonds

    bonds Active Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2006
    Messages:
    828
    Likes Received:
    0
    on why he never rematched Vitali.

    “You know, I beat him on my worst day,” Lewis said. “If he couldn’t beat me on my worst day, how was he going to deal with me at my best? There was nothing left for me out there, honestly, and it didn’t make sense to go on.”

    Is he right?
     
  2. victor879

    victor879 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2007
    Messages:
    11,017
    Likes Received:
    42
    I don't think Lewis had anymore to prove honestly. It was clear his best days were behind him and it was a good time to step down, as a champion.

    He made the right choice and the evidence is in the fact that he still has all the marbles in his head. Guy can still talk, and seems to be physically ok from his career as a boxer. No sense hanging on too long like most boxers do.
     
  3. CYoungblood95

    CYoungblood95 Well-Known Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Messages:
    2,969
    Likes Received:
    0
    no qualms here...I agree
     
  4. shenmue

    shenmue Boxing Junkie Full Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2010
    Messages:
    7,524
    Likes Received:
    2
    He also know he would have lost the rematch so why bother having another loss on his record?.

    Lewis goes down as one of the best HW champions in history, much respect to him.
     
  5. bonds

    bonds Active Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2006
    Messages:
    828
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yes he does seem to have a good point.
     
  6. Delroc

    Delroc Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2009
    Messages:
    6,324
    Likes Received:
    7
    he would have lost the rematch so why would he have took it?.
     
  7. MrMagic

    MrMagic Loyal Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2004
    Messages:
    39,534
    Likes Received:
    72
    I love Lennox, but thats just rubbish.

    If Vitali was so easy and all, why didn't he just dust off the boots and get in shape one last time for a $25m payday and an "easy" win?
     
  8. victor879

    victor879 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2007
    Messages:
    11,017
    Likes Received:
    42
    Did you read his quote? Nowhere does he say it was an "easy" win. He just said Vitali could not beat him when he was not at his best.

    Big difference.

    I agree with Lewis: If you can't be at your best, retire. It's over. Too many boxers hang on and get damaged when they do not need to. i.e Roy Jones Jr.
     
  9. Jobo1878

    Jobo1878 Active Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2011
    Messages:
    584
    Likes Received:
    163
    Agree.
    Beat the best of his era, and beat 1 of the top 2 of the next generation,
    Im not a fan of Lewis (more to with the fact he beat my man MT)
    Its hard to argue against him
     
  10. Vitor Belfort

    Vitor Belfort Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2008
    Messages:
    18,334
    Likes Received:
    3
    He should have showed the world he was the better boxer and gave vitali a rematch. Vitali only became the best heavyweight boxer since lewis. Vitali was whooping lewis ass that night. If it wasn't for that nasty cut he would have won the fight.
     
  11. vonBanditos

    vonBanditos Mσderator Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2004
    Messages:
    2,577
    Likes Received:
    4
    Not really. He had every right to retire and I don't blame him for it or think of him as a lesser person, but he was adamant before the fight was ever signed that he was going to eat one of them for breakfast and one of them for lunch. So what changed?

    It doesn't take hindsight to see how important the rematch would have been. He didn't want it and that sucks, but I'm not buying that a rematch made no sense.
     
  12. Steenalized

    Steenalized Boxing Junkie Full Member

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2010
    Messages:
    9,337
    Likes Received:
    1
    Lewis was ducking him, he knew Vitali would give him absolute hell in the rematch. Vitali will always be that guy who people wonder about if he gave him a rematch.
     
  13. nahkis

    nahkis Robbed Full Member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2009
    Messages:
    0
    Likes Received:
    1
    He's full of ****.
     
  14. Ivo

    Ivo Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2004
    Messages:
    6,351
    Likes Received:
    81
    Just excuses from him. He should have rematched Vitali.
     
  15. H .

    H . Boxing Junkie banned

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2007
    Messages:
    12,826
    Likes Received:
    3
    Any unbiased fan agrees with the above.

    Highly unfortunate that Lennox denied boxings biggest fans this highly demanded rematch.

    :verysad