I've got to say, in the heavyweight s it's nearly up there with Ali and Holyfield, who have fantastic resumes of course. Lewis would climb into the ring with anyone, he fought in a great era of the big men. Yes he lost twice but avenged those defeats. Can't really fault the Lion, but suppose not everyone see s it the same.
This he never ducked anyone fought all comers, won all of his fights without controversy not much else you can ask for.
He was avoided like the plague at all stages of his career. So not as good as it could have been. Him and Marciano have similar careers in that their best wins are over some of the older guys in the division but still great wins. Had he met Bowe and earlier versions of Holy and Tyson and throw in a Foreman or Moorer and I would have him up there w Ali and Louis. But alas he was avoided so he’s in the Foreman, Marciano, Holmes, range.
He ducked a rematch with Vitali though and retired rather than fight him again. Yeah it's fine to say he avenged his losses but then you can say he only gave rematches when he lost or didn't win. He never gave rematch opportunities to anyone to avenge their losses against him. Just saying
Stellar amateur career. Beat everyone he ever fought. Could both punch and box. Dominated a deep division. He’s easily top 5.
I would say it is the most dangerous resume ever. Lined wall to wall with brutal powerpunchers. Big men. Strong men. Mostly quite skilled. But guys who could whack.
Well to be fair Lewis was old at that point and coming to the end of his career, I agree maybe there should of been a rematch. But there was no actual controversy regarding the victory, maybe not the most satisfying one though.
You could make a very credible case for it being the third best in heavyweight history. Perhaps as good as for anybody.
Always felt like while about around best tier at HW his resume wasn't as definitive and his fights as dominant as others. It has a few glaring spots but you can't deny it's one of the best at HW but under the lense of "P4P" It doesn't hold it's own very well, Bar Ali I think that's really the norm for HWs.
I can't agree with this entirely. He called it close enough with Mercer to have people call it a "robbery" and he took step aside money from Tyson. He was a businessmen as much as any with how he was managed, I think. Fighters do fight who they're told to, there teams handle it and really his group was as responsible as Riddick's for why they didn't fight. I don't doubt his courage though, that's not what I am saying.
Definitely not Lewis fault. He was cheated at a chance to be the best ever imo. Although I may argue his chin may have left him short of Ali anyway. I think he beats Bowe like he did at the olympics although I thought that was a fast stoppage if I recall correctly (been awhile since I saw it)
