Wlad most definitely hit harder than Rahman and McCall. Not to say the punches he hit AJ with were harder, who's to say. Lewis has the better chin BTW.
Their chins are similar. Joshua might actually be a bit more durable. Lewis wouldn’t have gotten up if he took that right hand from Wlad. What sets them apart is Lewis’ defense and survival skills were far superior. If Joshua had gotten hurt like Lewis was against Briggs early in the fight I’m not sure he would’ve survived the round.
Past it Tyson and Tucker. Fat out of shaped Tua (who was limited to begin with). You can argue a case for Mercer beating Lewis. Bruno was winning against Lewis until he threw some of the most stupid ass punches I've ever seen and Lewis capitalised on it. One win and one very competitive fight against ancient 37 yo Holyfield. Rahman and McCall, guys I would barely consider B level KOd him before he got a second try. Let's not make out Lewis' resume is good. How in the world is the above not clear as day context??
Is this even a question? Lennox took punches from some of the best punchers in the history of the sport. AJ on the other hand got knocked down by a 38 year old klitchsko, he got knocked out by a 6,2 overweight no body. And got seriously hurt and wobbled by a cruiser weight feather duster. I respect AJ but his chin is no wear near that of Lewis’s.
My takes: 37 year old Holyfield: He had lost a step or two. Joshua probably gets it. Could go either way but I favor Joshua 65/100 times 2002 Mike Tyson: (I think 36, but a couple years after that he was losing to journeymen). Joshua KOs violently 100/100 times. Tua: AJ would probably beat Tua if he fought reasonably, but could be a Tua win. Joshua 8/10 times Ray Mercer: AJ gets a UD, I don't see him losing. Joshua 100/100 times Frank Bruno: Bruno lost to the guys to the people people remember at least as much as he won. Joshua 100/100 times. Tony Tucker: It's hard to say exactly how good he was at his best. He has no height disadvantage and went the distance against Mike Tyson at Tyson's best. That said, he didn't push himself in fights as much as he could, and seemed very hesitant (even a little afraid?) at times. Not good against Joshua. Joshua 70/100 times. Hasim Rahman: This guy had an awful chin, or at least he didn't particularly feel like fighting Maskaev. (2000s Pulev). Post Ruiz he gets in 95/100 times. Pre Ruiz he gets it 75/100 times. Oliver McCall: McCall had a weird career. At his best he was almost brilliant. But Joshua is almost brilliant, too, and a lot better of an athlete. Joshua 70/100 Vitali: I genuinely can't answer this one. I'd probably favor Vitali, though. Vitali is the ultimate "resume does not determine skill" argument ace. I think Joshua would probably take 2-3 losses if he fought everybody on this list.
Hard to say. They both had/have underrated chins. Lennox fought a ton of the who's who of punchers in the 90s and only got stopped twice. Joshua's fought most of the best fighters in this generation and only got stopped once so he's clearly doing something right. Lennox had the superior recuperation powers, I think that's clear though.
Lewis had the better chin and also fought in a much better era than Joshua,then you have to add to the fact the big elephant in the room that Lewis would travel and could fight in the USA no problem,where as Joshua !
The question is: who wouldn't fall from such a punch to Hasim Rahman? Calling AJ a bodybuilder is disrespectful; he deserves more than that. I certainly wouldn't place on Mr. Universe, and to Mr. Olympia. Better chin Lewis.
