If Vitali or Wlad beats Pulev/Povetkin/Fury, will he rank above Lennox Lewis?

To say the 80's was a weaker era, defies belief. Today - Anyone (tinker, tailor, soldier, butcher, plumber, chef, milkman, dogwalker) could fight for the Heavyweight title.

The division is a disgrace and has been for many years now.

 

There you go again. How could I ever forget the legacy of Gary "Shavers on Steroids" Mason

Bottom line is this: Lennox's record against fighters who were top 10 at some point in their careers was 21-2-1. His record against men who were champions or rated 1 or 2 in Ring's year end ratings is 8-2-1. If it compels you, throw in the 2nd Holyfield fight as a win instead of a draw.

Wlad's is 20-2 using the former criteria, 8-0 against the latter.

Wlad's got to get back to fighting top contenders and beating them, which also means the top contenders need to nut up and take their shot. If he does that, he'll surpass Lewis on longevity.

 

Anybody did fight for HW title in eighties. Why do you think a 20 year old kid became champ and for the most part beat down guys ten years older? Why do you think Frank Bruno got four goes at it? The era was **** that's why. It got better in the 90's once everybody realised the money on offer, but the 80;s was nothing great. Unless you're pushing 40 you should have no opinion anyway, you hardly remember the 80's.

 

it really is a black and white thing on this forum.....:-( sad but true

 

What a stupid statement

 

But he'll never acquire enough skill to be ranked a better boxer than Lennox Lewis.

 

That would be because it wasn't/isn't!

 

You couldn't be more wrong. Wlad has a one dimensional attack consisting of pawing the jab, right hand , grab and repeat. That never changes. Lewis had a fast snappy jap he could pop repeatadly while moving laterally and on the back foot. He could string combos together to the head and body. He had a decent inside game, could fight out of the clinch and had a devastating uppercut.

 

Do you think Lewis's best win then is over a faded 40 year old CW who did nothing of note after Lewis tapped that ass?

 

yes..apparently on these forums the name of the fighter and the record behind him is more important then the fact that he was well past his best at the time the fight took place.

Maybe Wlad should fight Holyfield next so that he will have an equally as good record as Lewis.

 

He fought old Mercer, Thompson and Mormek which is a 100 times worse.

 

Yes, 4 Time World Champion, GOAT Crusierweight, Top 5 Heavyweight. It's disgraceful what you're suggesting.

 

There is something that has been bothering me about some people's opinions within this thread and others. I know everybody ages differently, but:

37 year old Lewis who defeated Vitali is considered to be the worst shot version
37 year Holyfield who Lewis defeated, who was in a lot more "wars" is considered prime when discussing Lewis's legacy, but shot elsewhere, thus assuring his ATG status
41 year old Vitali is considered prime and thus "ducking" Haye
36 year old Wladimir is considered prime, and a loss would prevent him from being an ATG

I don't see a lot of consistency.