Better top 5 wins : Lewis vs Holmes

Shouldn't Weaver be in there for Holmes? But Vitaly edges it in Lewis's favour for me. Massive win.

 

True. Weaver climbed to the top afterwards, so the question is how close he was to what he was to become.

Golota and Tyson are also contenders for a top 5 spot among Lewis's wins.

 

Sure. But he was still one of the most lethal around in the early rounds.

 

I’m going with Lewis’s list, although I’d say it’s close. Actually I think it’s about even

 

Larry dealt with Mercer easier when he was a pig bellied old man. I see a prime Larry him boxing rings around Vitali and winning by domination.
I select Holmes

 

Lewis has the superior top 5 wins.

What evens it up somewhat, when ranking the two, is that Holmes never lost during his prime years.

 

Mercer should be replaced in the Top 5 of Lewis' wins with: Golota, Bruno, Tucker, Tyson... so that there would not be an unnecessary discussion on the topic: "how Holmes performed well against Mercer, and Lewis performed poorly".
Lewis certainly has a better resume than Holmes; and Top 5 and overall resume

 

Lewis for sure.

 

I agree. One of those wins that age like fine wine because of what the loser goes on to accomplish. I'd bracket Liston's wins over Patterson there as well.

 

Ruddock was already wrecked by Tyson. His punch resistance was gone. And Tua was grossly overweight when he showed up for Lewis.

 

Mercer = Holmes beat a greener version of Mercer but Holmes was 42 years old and beat Mercer handily, based on Lewis getting a controversial decision vs Mercer and being pretty close to his prime then i give Holmes the edge here.

Cooney/Ruddock = Not much to choose between honestly both fighters had some impressive KO stoppages although against fighters who were past their prime. Both fighters were known for their power in their left hand Cooney with his left hooks to the body and head, and Ruddock with his uppercut and "Smash" like punch. I can't really split them i guess Ruddock had showed he could go into deep waters vs Tyson, but then again Cooney was undefeated coming into Holmes fight tough call honestly.

Shavers/Tua = Two big punchers but I'd give the edge to Tua here i think hes a significantly better H2H fighter than Shavers, i also think Tua has alot more filler on his resume especially against former world champions.

Holyfield/Norton = Holyfield is the significantly better win he'd been undefeated since beating Tyson in 1996, and was the ranked number 1 Heavyweight for a good few years with two title belts. As much as i like Norton he won a vacated belt vs Jimmy Young in a highly controversial decision, it's a no brainer for me clearly Holyfield is the better win.

Witherspoon/Vitali = I think Vitali is significantly overrated but again this is a no brainer it has to be Vitali as the better win. Witherspoon was a 13-0 prospect when he fought Holmes and no one really thought that highly of him until after the Holmes fight. Lewis was at the end of his career and beat a very dangerous opponent whilst not being at his best.

Overall for me it's 3-1-1 in Lewis's favour with me not being able split Cooney or Ruddock.

 

There's a few things in Holmes's favour.

Holmes has more wins against ranked opposition 15-13 in favour of Holmes.

More world title fight wins 20-15 in favour of Holmes.

More Lineal title fight wins 12-8 in favour of Holmes.

And also showed he could get up off the floor and win which is an attribute Lewis didn't show in his career.

Holmes has more quantity in regards to stats than Lewis, but i think Lewis has a bit more quality overall i guess it depends how you see it. There's a good argument for either man being rated above eachother depending on your criteria.