Unpopular opinion: Lewis was at his peak against Shannon Briggs. This is the best version of Lewis

Very strong performance.

 

Briggs literally didn't beat anyone; he was knocked out by no one two years earlier and should have lost to the 50-year-old Foreman in the fight beforehand. The 50-year-old Foreman should have been competing against Lewis in this fight; Briggs is out of place here.

However, it must be admitted that it was an entertaining fight, and both men looked very uncomfortable. Unfortunately, Cannon, with his illness, took too much risk; the final knockout was actually due to fatigue and lack of breath. Lewis and the lack of oxygen defeated him just as much.

 

I always thought Lewis prime was around the Golta fight but hard to say with Lennox.
After all, he only really had two bad performances.

 

I would say he was yes.

 

It was an entertaining slugfest but I don't think Briggs was that good of an opponent to begin with.
I think Lewis reached his peak in 1999/2000 and had his best performance during the Rahman rematch.

 

If only Briggs had paced himself

 

I disagree about the Rahman fight, he was accurate and looked very nimble. Lewis is one of those fighters whose style aged well.
I agree about Golota being a terrific performance though.
Rahman II, Ruddock, Golota, Grant and Tua were Lewis at his best IMO.
In 1995/1997 (pre Golota), he was in a sort of transitional phase so I don't rate that period that highly.

It's worth noting that Lewis always had ups and downs, even under Stewart.
Great surgical destruction of Ruddock in 1992 but rather sloppy in 1993/1994.
Came back well in 1995 albeit quite tentative, had a war against a supposed shopworn Mercer in 1996.
Two debacles in 1997 (not really his fault) but pulverised Golota.
Stopped Briggs but quite sluggish versus Mavrovic. Etc etc.

 

I'm of the opinion that you could still be at your physical prime during your 30s if you hadn't taken much damage. Even if your speed/reflexes slightly decrease, the added experience makes up for it.
I see your point though.

 

Lewis looked pretty awesome against Ruddock, a guy actually favored to beat him.

 

It was a sensational performance.

 

That betting line was the product of thinking Tyson was the greatest and Ruddock doing well against him. It was hardly the product of a rational comparison betwen the 2 Canadians.

 

Actually, Ruddock was only a slight favorite.
The thing is among the people who saw Lewis winning, no one predicted that he would do it so quickly and efficiently.