I just realized how similar my views on this topic are to those of Manny Steward. Therefore, it's no surprise that I enjoyed hearing his list and his reasoning. It was kind of cool seeing him take the question so seriously. I wish this had been a longer interview though--I'd be interested in hearing more about who he has 6-10, and why. This content is protected
Always liked listening to Steward. Very level headed intelligent guy. Would have put Lewis over Foreman though, any day.
Good list. Good reasoning why he doesn't hold others in high regard, too. I've ALWAYS like Emmanuel. Very well spoken, very well knowledgeable, and calls it how he see's it.
All the fighters that Steward mounded and trained from when they were kids at his kronk gym,how much were successful heavyweights?
He also likes sonny liston a lot... One thing i don't agree with him is that he doesn't rank tyson very high. I think tyson is one of the best h2h.
2000, right after Tyson defeated Botha. Mike was 33 for his year 2000 fight with ring contender Lou Savarese. He looked much faster and fresher than the 2002 fight ( Age 35 for Tyson ) with Lewis.
He'd be tarred and feathered by some here as he doesn't think much of Jack Johnson ( Mark 1:20 of the video ). Steward correctly says he fought smaller guys, didn't beat enough quality fighters, dodged the best black fighters as champion, and claimed a dive vs Willard. Hmm, I wonder who else has said that here before . Now the best trainer of the times has said it, others might listen.
From what I've heard and read elsewhere, he doesn't rank Tyson more highly because he didn't have the signature wins, was somewhat of a front runner, and Manny felt that Tyson's size (height and reach) disadvantages would hinder him against the cream of the heavyweight crop. I'm not fully convinced but I get his logic.
I'd think a prime Joe Frazier would beat Lennox Lewis up, Lewis would win a lot of rounds but he'd run out of gas and Joe would stop him anywhere from 12 to 15. I respect his opinion but can't put Wladimer in the top 10