Though at the time of the win I doubt many thought the Vitali win would do too much for Lennox's legacy, things change. The fact that Vitali came back at such a late age and has hardly lost a round since makes me think more and more that he is Lennox's standout victory. Not to mention Lennox has the distinction of being the ONLY person to go up against someone named Klitschko and not have his victory avenged by the same fighter or his brother. What are your thoughts?
Certainly it doesn't hurt that Vitali has gone on to not lose another fight after that, but I don't think its his best win, mainly because he was losing the fight on all cards at the time of the stoppage, but it was a win nonetheless.
as a tyson fan, i probably rate the klit win as a better result over a near great hw considering that tyson was in horrible form (tho u it gets a little closer seeing that lewis nearly dominated tyson whereas the klit lewis was a back and forth afair)
Yes he was but it was still a mega-event and historically more important, and we should consider the backstory and the fashion in which he beat him down too. Lewis was clearly past prime and in bad shape vs Vitali who came in as late replacement and was seen by many as heartless euro-bum at that time. And it was a very close fight, Vitali even won more rounds. If anything that fight was important for Vitalis legacy, with all the controversy to this day about ducking a rematch etc. it almost hurt Lewis legacy more than it added to it imo.
No. While the Vitali win was a good win, had Lewis not fought Vitali, I don't think Lewis' legacy would be much if any worse. Lewis' wins over Holyfield and Tyson were much more career defining, and while they may arguably not have been as dangerous as prime Vitali, these wins were more significant.
Probably since Tyson was past it, and Holyfield was faded... I think a prime Holyfield is the tougher matchup, but although the one Lewis fought wasnt at his best he was still pretty good, especially the one in the second fight.. He gave Lewis 12 of all he wanted not 5 or 6 rouds. The Mercer that Lewis edged was also right there.... After those 3 id say Ruddock, that version of Razor was the favorite and in his prime, not his toughest test.. But i would say the best foe that he blew out.