Link me if already done.... It's hard to call, did Lewis ever face a slickster in the style of Ali? The closest I can think of during that era is Chris Byrd and Lewis never fought him. The only opponent that Ali fought that had comparable strength and size to Lennox was Geroge Foreman and Ali handled him. George made a stragic mistake in that bout, that I do not think he would make again in a rematch with Ali.
It was n't a mistake that George made in the Ali fight. He was simply outfought,outboxed and outsmarted. Foreman has admitted it on quite a few occasions. Prime Ali beats Prime Lewis by clear decision. Muhammad would be too fast and adaptable.
Ali may get dropped and/or hurt but Ali is too fast, tough, and smart for Lewis. Lewis has the power and skills to stop Ali, Im thinking late. But Im assuming were talking 60s Ali would be floating all night. Ali survived a Foreman onslaught that would have stopped 95% of heavyweights, Lewis never faced anyone with the will of Ali. 115 to 113 Ali.
Lennox is taller, heavier, faster with an even longer reach than George Foreman. Also a more disciplined boxer. I see Ali losing a decision after feeling Lennox's power early. Mirror of the first Holyfield fight.
I have this image in my mind of Lennox's near closed eyes after the Ray Mercer fight. Just imagine Ali's speedy punches doing this.
Lennox, even in boring, conservative mode, would make for an uncomfortable experience for Ali. Lennox was bigger, heavier, and took Ali's leaning and pushing on the back of the neck to another level. I'd say Lennox would pull it off on Ali plenty. He was great at imposing his size on opponents and making it count.
Lennox didn't hit as hard as Foreman and was not as aggressive,also had a lesser chin than Foreman. Ali could take Lewis' best shots and not be bothered. Ali by UD
Is everyone crazy? Lewis had enough trouble with Ray Mercer,Old Holyfield and Mccall or Rahman. Ali beat Foreman,Frazier,Norton,Shavers,Lyle,Liston,Cooper,Quarry etc It even took Lewis 8 rounds to KO the Corpse of Tyson. Ali may get hit hard a few times but he beats Lennox Lewis by UD. Lennox drops his left after jabbing and Ali would put that right hand on the chin. Ali would drop Lewis at least once.
Lennox also doesnt waste shots like Foreman. Ali cant fool him or trick him into a bad fight. Ali will have to go on the attack as the shorter man with inferior reach and thats a recipe for suicide.
We are definitely in the era of the superheavyweights, in terms of opinions. Five years ago, anybody who picked Lewis over Louis or Ali was regarded as an eccentric.
Ali has an Iron chin,Lennox cautious occasional punches wont bother Ali too much. Ali took harder shots in his career. And Lewis was beaten by total bums with average skill. He could never beat Ali. Ali also beat guys as tall as six foot six. The size is a non factor. Ali is faster,has a batter chin,Ali has great reflexes etc. Lewis well... [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2-aY26Z8ns[/ame]