I'm not sure where people are getting the idea that Lewis fought in a stronger era. I think Furys era probably has better depth given it had Tyson Fury Wladimir Klitschko Filip Hrgovic Joe Joyce Oleksandr Usyk Tony Yoka Vitali Klitschko Deontay Wilder Luis Ortiz Kubrat Pulev Arslanbek Makhmudov Daniel Dubois Alexander Povetkin etc
Ostensibly, Fury's better "recuperative powers" - from a single shot - might well be the case. Then again, Fury is going to be hit hard and more often with Lewis, than anyone else he has been in with. So, we would see how he holds up under a more sustained attack. Lewis isn't just going to fade into an easy target, like Wilder, to be bullied around the ring until eventually succumbing. Nor is he going to be bewildered by Fury, unable to pull the trigger, as was Wlad. As far as Fury being more versatile than Lewis, I've not yet seen Fury tested in a way which would confirm that. This fantasy match-up carries some intrigue, but I think I'd want to see Fury battle-tested against a few other of the top-end opponents, before making assured claims about versatility, accuracy and speed, compared with Lewis. This is a hard fight, whichever side of the fence one stands - but Lewis, for my money, is more proven at the top level.
Lewis. I think he would just go straight to it like he did Golata. Fury can be hit and hurt, and LL could really bang, and was a good finisher.
Lewis is far more proven in the ring than Fury. Beating a 39yo Wlad who was 67 fights and 19 pro years deep and Wilder x 3 who is clearly a one trick pony without stamina or solidity (and hasn't exactly done much in the way of whupping top contenders) doesn't necessarily make someone an absolute H2H monster. Tho well on the down Wlad was a fine win as he was still getting it done. Wilder is a good win too as he has that right hand rocket but getting knocked down 4 times is a bit of a double edged sword. I'd heavily favor the likes of peak Lewis and Holmes to get the job done with less fuss. It's quite probable a number of heavyweights would to be frank. Sure Lewis lost a couple not at his best but he also outlasted Vitali when over the hill and way too heavy. Fury is still 9 fights short of where Lewis lost to Rahman and Lewis certainly proved he took him lightly in the rematch. I'm still open to Fury. He's a talented big man but i look forward to seeing him against Usyk for one. If Usyk rolls him impressively Fury's stock will drop tho plenty of modernists will proclaim Usyk the best H2H heavyweight in history or thereabouts.
I think people are over-emphasising that Fury was "knocked down 4 times in 3 fights" by Wilder. It's not such a bad mark, considering Wilder is a long-armed power-puncher who has knocked down or out almost everyone he's faced (regardless of quality of opposition, it's notable). But mainly, the two Wilder fights where Fury was KD'd were clearly fights where he wasn't at his best. The 1st fight he was just 6 months back from a 2 1/2 hiatus where he was ballooned to 400 pounds and completely untrained, with just two meaningless exhibition-type outings under his belt, with a complete novice in his corner. And the 3rd fight he clearly was contemptuous of Wilder, probably not fully motivated, neglected his defensive skills throughout, and coming straight off a 20 month layoff (as was Wilder, to be fair) and visibly not in the same shape as in the 2nd fight. I know people hate me banging out the same tune constantly, but seriously Lennox Lewis LOST a couple fights due to no more baggage than what Fury carried into those Wilder fights. The "reasons" (or "excuses") for Lewis's defeats hold true for Fury too .... but Fury won. To be fair, let's match them at their bests. So if we are going to talk about Fury against Wilder, the 2nd fight should be the one that gets the most focus. Lewis is still the more proven fighter, that's true. And a pretty good reason to pick him over Fury, to be fair.
I too have an open mind about Fury. That said, he already strikes me as being quite probably the best heavyweight to arrive on the scene, since Lewis. Fury's story has been quite remarkable and I do tend to favor those fighters, who have shown that they can overcome adversity. Just the fact he was in at the deep-end against Wlad, despite where the latter was in his career, demonstrated how Fury coped with a massive challenge. How many of the other Top-10 Rated Heavyweights would one have backed to beat Wlad? As it was, Fury hadn't faced a single one of them and had earned his rating on the eye-test alone, it would seem. Against Wilder, each match has rendered some new insight about Fury too. It's just that, as you suggest, there are other heavyweights of the past that would likely have been more efficient about achieving similar results. Then again, I don't worry too much about the manner of victory, where Fury is concerned. He tends to have, execute and stick to a plan, which might have observers wondering, but it does work and get the job done, despite the odd, apparent mistake, which he recovers from almost immediately. Fury is special; of that I am certain. But continued top-level results, results, results are the key to demonstrating this in all weathers. I agree that a bout with Usyk would clarify matters.
Yes this is a strong era. Definitely enough talent for somebody to attain greatness if they will take on all comers.
Lewis hit too hard, boxed too good, and finished well. Fury didn't have enough firepower to stop him, and let's face it, didn't have his level of skill as a boxer. Fury pulverized in 9 at the outside.