Lennox Lewis is a lock for top 5 heavyweight of all time

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by SuzieQ49, Jul 23, 2022.

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  1. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    I moved him up to # 3 on my list

    what are your opinions?
     
    SuzieQ49, Jul 23, 2022
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  2. ThatOne

    ThatOne Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He's in the top five for sure- no order Ali/Louis/Lewis/Holmes/George
     
    ThatOne, Jul 23, 2022
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  3. RulesMakeItInteresting

    RulesMakeItInteresting Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Ali, Louis, Holmes, Holyfield...either Lewis or Foreman at #5.
     
    RulesMakeItInteresting, Jul 23, 2022
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  4. Barrf

    Barrf Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Yes, he's a lock for top 5.

    I think I have him at #3, although on any given day, I might have him at #4 and Holmes at #3 instead because Holmes gets some extra credit for his senior career.
     
    Barrf, Jul 23, 2022
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  5. Barrf

    Barrf Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Holyfield was too inconsistent to be top 5, imo.
     
    Barrf, Jul 23, 2022
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  6. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    No, not a lock, KO'd during his prime years (not his peak) by two guys not of his class. So you can make an argument/construct a list that has him lower than top five and draw no ire from me. I don't mind.

    I have him at 4 or 5 myself.
     
    McGrain, Jul 23, 2022
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  7. cross_trainer

    cross_trainer Liston was good, but no "Tire Iron" Jones Full Member

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    He and Wlad have pretty similar credentials, actually. So a list that rated Wlad on the border of the top 5 should probably also include Lennox comfortably in the top 5.
     
    cross_trainer, Jul 23, 2022
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  8. RulesMakeItInteresting

    RulesMakeItInteresting Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I completely sympathize with your point, but Holy didn't get stopped twice in his prime by second-raters...hard for me to get past that, despite the fact that overall Lewis was a sensational fighter.
     
    RulesMakeItInteresting, Jul 23, 2022
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  9. Barrf

    Barrf Boxing Addict Full Member

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    A Lewis with Holyfield's chin would be in contention for #1.
     
    Barrf, Jul 23, 2022
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  10. Jel

    Jel Obsessive list maker Full Member

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    No, he’s not a lock in my opinion. He probably deserves a top 10 place but I can see him outside it too. He got KO’ed twice and the second time by a very average heavyweight. Without that, he’d definitely be top 10 and have a very good argument for top 5.

    I also found him a hot and cold performer. When he was on, he was one of the best ever but he could be quite underwhelming too.

    However, he was ducked horribly by Bowe and Tyson when a win over either of them would have secured his legacy in a much more tangible way, so I have some sympathy for him.
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2022
    Jel, Jul 23, 2022
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  11. Man_Machine

    Man_Machine Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    He's a Lock for Top-10, IMO. But I won't argue too enthusiastically with those who have him outside their Top-5.

    Just a note on Lewis' defeats. He was never beaten by men rated outside of the Ring's Top-10 and the KOs he suffered were both avenged.

    They count against him, but I think his redress of these wrongs, combined with the rest of his ledger, do enough to make him Top-5, for mine. His schedule demonstrates a solid concentration of ranked opposition; quite a number of whom, on balance, fair relatively well historically.
     
    Man_Machine, Jul 23, 2022
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  12. Mike Cannon

    Mike Cannon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    You make a lot of sense, well put together, and not easy to formulate a counterclaim, Lewis is a divisive boxer, some place and rate him highly, whilst others dismiss him and his achievements' out of hand, he is either top 5, or to the detractors only just inside the 10.
    For me a motivated, and pumped Lewis, would give all the top 5 a very uncomfortable night , and possibly vanquish 3 of them.
    stay safe guys.
     
    Mike Cannon, Jul 23, 2022
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  13. RealDeal

    RealDeal Pugilist Specialist Full Member

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    Are we talking top 5 head-to-head or top 5 based on resume? I would definitely have him in my top 5 head-to-head (and perhaps even top 3), but I don’t think I’d have him that high based on resume alone.
     
    RealDeal, Jul 23, 2022
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  14. ThatOne

    ThatOne Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Big George said he was the GOAT. I believe there's a YouTube of it around.
     
    ThatOne, Jul 23, 2022
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  15. Clinton

    Clinton Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Personally I have him at 3
     
    Clinton, Jul 23, 2022
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