Prime Lewis TKO Vitali in how many rounds??

Well I for one have never claimed he was shot, unmotivated for Johnson and past prime sure, but shot? No.

I too have never found material regarding how long it was pending so I question how you know since there seems to be nothing in print?

Here's the article.

http://www.eastsideboxing.com/boxing-news/st1005.php

 

this very subject was quite big on ESB after the Vitali fight. i remember a poster called "Radar" that would back Lewis to the death and would post ignorant **** (i think he was just trolling but it seemed legit lol) about the fight. i always read the forums but never became a member till i got older and more into boxing. At one point the Rematch was a real possibility and even venue's were being talked about but the public was clamoring for a Vitali Rematch instead.

i can't prove my knowledge on the situation but it is what it is. i know Lewis was following hard on this case and only when the WBC made Vitali Mandatory and he retired very soon after was when i never heard anything else about the case.

 

Hyping a fight that was already sold with one little interview? Nah.

Difference is Lewis was the champion, he chooses who he fights, Vitali was not champion, since when does the challenger call the shots? Lewis was already quoted before the Vitali fight that all he wanted was RJJ or Tyson because obviously they were bigger cash fights and a nice retirement package well earned for what he'd given to boxing.

So what? RJJ was saying he felt better than ever and prime for years after Tarver put him on his arse, doesn't make it so. I'd also point out, again, that by heavyweight standards he was old.

 

By heavyweight standards? Heavyweights progress more slowly than all other boxers; you have prospects in their late 20s and early 30s. SHW like Lewis and the Klitschkos even more so:they are at their absolute peak at 33-34.

 

except for Vitali?? :nut

 

Give me a list of heavyweights who were prime or near prime aged 38?

Ali retired aged 39, just before his 40th birthday, should have retired after Spinks II aged 36.
Frazier retired just before his 38th (After a 5 year lay off), should have retired after Foreman aged 32.
Tyson retired aged 39, should have retired after Lewis (or even before) aged 36.
Marciano retired aged 32.
Holmes retired (after a couple of stop - starts) aged 53, should have retired after Spinks II aged 37.
Liston should have retired after Martin, aged 37.
Holyfield should have retired after Lewis II aged 37.
Bowe should have retired after Golota II, aged 29.
Patterson retired at 37.
Norton retired aged 38, should have got out after Holmes aged 35.
Walcott retired aged 39.
Charles retired aged 38, should have got out after Marciano II (possibly before) aged 33.


I stand by my statement based on the above, 38 IS old by heavyweight standards.
Lewis getting out of boxing just before his 38th birthday was perfect, it's obvious that into your late 30's as a heavyweight is the ideal time.:deal

 

It was 3 or 4 bad cuts. Personally I think if Vitali had leather skin and the cuts didn't occur he would have beaten Lewis that night (Lewis was at least as tired after the 6th), but in reality Lewis' skill opened up 3 or 4 nasty cuts and he TKO'd Vitali fair and square.

I don't think Lewis was as over the hill as some people say, but logic says that prime for prime Lewis is the easy favorite (possible outcome is Vitali's chin keeps him in it and he manages to stop Lewis late - but more likely Lewis wins by stoppage or decision).

I like the theory that if he were a little younger and sharper Lewis would have fought a more patient, strategic fight and it likely would have gone beyond 6. That's a possibility.

 

Prime Lewis doesn't KO either Klitschko, because Lewis in his boxing prime was extremely reserved and if you really think about it, his power increased later, with weight gain. Yes, he had plenty of KO's early on, but his heavy duty diesel power came late, after he lost his best boxing footwork and skill. The fight with Vitali was a brawl. In his prime, he outboxes Vitali to a split decision, but Wlad would probably get the draw trading jab for jab with him.

 

You make valid points but I disagree, prime Lewis ko's Wlad.
Who out there has Wlad faced even remotely close to a prime Lewis? How many guys have landed hard punches on Wlad since Steward took control? Lewis would land and land hard, infact if Wlad lasted the distance he would have to take more punches than he has in his last 10 fights combined because the standard is many levels below prime Lewis.

I'm not convinced about Wlads chin, it's just the talent isn't there to test it to see if it's improved. Vitali on the other hand is a different matter, he has a far better shot at going the distance and yes I'll say it, has a better chance of winning than Wlad.

Maybe I'm biased because I rate Vitali over Wlad prime for prime.

 

Vitali would have knocked Lewis out in the very next round. Lewis retired because he refused to rematch Vitali. Hell, watch the fight! Vitali kicked Lewis' arse! Lewis did not like his badly broken nose and Lewis knows the truth, he would have been knocked out in the next round.

 

1,134 rounds

 

TKO 3. No chance against a prime Lewis. Vitali and Wlad both would have been KTFO for sure.

 

3-5 rounds.

Wlad would get bum rushed out of there inside a round, I have absolutely no doubt about that.