what do you think was the better win? oliver mccall's one punch upset of lewis, or hasim rahman's one punch upset of the same fighter. im leaning more towards the rahman win, it was a more decisive ko, lewis was a better all round fighter under manny steward. but the mccall win was quicker, lewis was unbeaten, and fighting at home. i would be interested in any opinions.
The Rahman victory was the bigger upset. After unifying the belts, Lewis had beat all of his opponents quickly (Botha and Grant) or easily (David Tua). He was on a roll and looked unstoppable. And then, Rahman ended his reign with one punch. Although Lewis was the WBC champ when he lost to McCall, you could still argue that he was a bit "green." He wasn't in his prime yet. When Manny Steward entered the picture, Lewis blossomed as a fighter.
rahman easily. lewis was the complete article when hasim iced him. biggest upset since tyson-douglas easily.
Rahman, no doubt. Lennox was coming off Tua, seemingly proving he could take a solid shot in the process, LL already had the prior experience of McCall to alert him to the fact he was not impervious, and he got cleanly counted out. Holyfield I & II, Grant, Botha and Tua were his run up to Rahman I, and he followed it with Rahman II and Tyson. Whether or not he'd ever be an HOFer was still in the air at the time of McCall I. His place in history was pretty well cemented when Rahman upset him.
McCall KO2. I actually had a feeling that Rahman was going to KO Lewis. I didn't think McCall had a snowball's chance in hell.
I had it 5-4-1 to Lewis, what a epic razor-close war to remember. :!: There should've been a rematch after Mercer got his generous gift decision against Witherspoon, then Lennox could've showcased his improvements (balance etc) versus the very same man who gave him his "baptism of fire".
Just to get a rise out of you. :stir A lot of people did think Lewis lost. I was in the Garden that night, great fight card.
lol why would it get a rise out of me? maybe it makes me question your logic but beyond that I don't really care
Nah, but I knew Mercer would give Lewis a fight. Mercer brought a good fight for Lewis. It was interesting to watch the fight later on tape and listen to Lewis in the corner. He took a big blow to his ego because he couldnt figure out why Mercer was kicking his ass. He kept telling Steward to warn the ref about Mercer elbowing him and butting him, but Steward wouldnt have any of it. He said stop the BS and fight. Lewis became a real fighter that night. He owes Ray Mercer a lot!