How about the context that Lewis took the fight on short notice and was underprepared and out of shape , while Vitali had been preparing for Lewis for at least a year as indicated by an interview he gave 8 months before the fight.
Isn't it Lennox's fault if he continues to downplay his opposition? I mean you would think he would've learned his lesson after McCall...
He still won. If Vitali was H2H monster he would've won. It doesn't get anymore straightforward. If prime Riddick Bowe was in there that night Lewis get beaten unmerciful.
I've made the point several times that this was the worst version of Lewis and an incredible performance from him
Vitali never fought 18 top 10 ranked fighters where are you getting that from ? To my knowledge Vitali has about 7 wins against top 10 ranked fighters.
It's not very unlikely at all. Lewis has often comeback numerous times after a slow or bad start in a fight. Lewis was struggling vs Bruno in the first 6 rounds. Lewis lost the first 2 rounds vs Briggs in a big way. Lewis was arguably behind on points vs Holyfield after 7 rouhds in their 2nd fight. Lewis was of course behind vs Mercer after 6 rounds. So there's numerous examples of Lewis adjusting or finding a 2nd wind to pull out a fight. It's Vitali who is the unknown quantity in regards to whether or not he can beat an A+ Heavyweight which he never did.
Nothing controversial about the Lewis stoppage. In the Byrd fight he quit himself and wanted no parts of him later. Plus, it's not a loss column that is a problem with Vit's resume. It's the win column, where he didn't beat anyone of significance. Wouldas don't exist.
I never argued that Lewis could not come back because he did not do so-athough not numerous times, you just counted them, & if there are others it is very few-I said that he was so tired so early it seems unlikely he could have done so. If people agree he was at his worst, heaviest, & was far more tired than at the same early rounds, we cannot count on him winning. He may have, but like Moses Itaumi who I think did not look that tired that early, we cannot assume he would have.