Is Holyfield the only debuting LHW in history who would give Lewis fits?

Bob Fitzsimmons

 

I would say no to this. The only 175lber l think could give Lewis trouble would be Jones because of his speed but l certainly wouldn't predict him to win. I did look this up once upon a time but l don't think Lewis ever fought anyone under 200 lbs.

 

I only say Fitzsimmons because he had legit one-punch knockout power, and we all know that Lewis could be a little chinny. I definitely don’t think Fitz has the ability to outbox him but if he hit him with a perfect shot on the chin, all bets are off imo.

 

I disagree that he was all that chinny. Klitschko landed good clean shots especially in the 2nd round and Lewis stayed on his feet. Hard to imagine Fitz hitting harder than him. Tyson also landed a few clean shots as well. If Lewis held his hands down and allowed an opponent to just wind up and take his best shot, which is essentially what happened in the Rahman fight than sure, a lot of fighters could beat him, but that's the worst version of Lewis, not the best.

 

True, those are all good points. I think you’ve changed my mind.

 

Didn't Holy run straight 'roids for awhile?

 

Yes I forgot Holyfield grew taller after he shaved his own hair off. He was initially 6’1”. Some say Evander grew right through his own hair thanks to a programme of magic beans he got from the guy from Jack and the beanstalk.

The first moments of this fight lists his original height.


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Do the other natural light heavies get to be artificial heavies?

 

I don't really consider Holyfield a natural light-heavy. No natural light heavy would give big Lennox fits. Langford or Tunney, or even Fitz, could give him sport for five minutes or so. But not for more that a round or two, I wouldn't imagine. Tunney was the most natural runner of those three old timers, so he might make it into round three or four.

 

Holyfield was no more a natural light heavyweight than Ali was .. he was a cruiserweight .. as far as Lewis goes credit must go to Evander's chin, a terrific one at heavyweight .. he took some monster shots from Lennox but shook them off ... Evander was a beast .. tremendous chin, heart and will .. not to mention he was 37 fighting Lewis .. I actually think Evander was one man who prime for prime beats Lennox .. say what you want about the PED's they all were on but a chin is chin and Evander had one for all time .. as far as light heavyweights beating Lewis I don't see it .. maybe a 1948-9 Ez has a shot but it's a lot of size to give up .. now if you go cruiser and put the 200 pound Louis in there he sure has a hell of a shot .. after that it's tough because Lennox was so big, so strong and really so good. Another is if you throw in Joe Jeannette who was an insane iron man , especially over 15 rounds opposed to 12 ..

 

I think Evander was a natural crusierweight but if Charles/Moore were allowed as many ped over a significant period as Evander had at the point when he faced Lennox they could give Lewis problems.

 

I think in many respects Holyfield was a very unique fighter. He had speed, heart, determination and could think in the ring, those a along with a granite chin, pretty much made him a one off fighter. I rank him very high p4p. Not sure who would win between Lewis and him in their primes but Lewis certainly had advantages. Essentially l think Lewis had a better heavyweight career but l rank Holyfield higher p4p.

 

In any earlier era Evander would have been Ezzard Charles. Nothing more. Nothing less. And just like Charles Evander always would have been as great a fighter as charles was.