Could Lewis Have Being A Dominant Force In the 1970s?

Yeah a lot of people think Norton won all 3 really.

 

Yes he would be great. But Lewis, despite having a solid and somewhat underrated chin, is bound to be stopped at some point. He will likely dominate the hard hitting guys like Lyle and Shavers. But somewhere down the line, he is bound to be caught by a solid puncher.

You can't pretend 2 one punch stoppages are just a fluke. Not to mention even someone as limited as Shannon Briggs had Lewis down and only the ropes held him up. It should have counted as a knockdown.

In 15 round fights, Lewis may actually struggle a bit more. He was a big man, weighing 240-245 lbs and the fact that he is 25-30 lbs heavier than the likes of Ali and Holmes means he will struggle to maintain that work rate from rounds 13-15. Yes, he had very good stamina for a big man but he was still a big man. He can't maintain the work rate a smaller man can for 15 rounds.

Lewis would thoroughly dominate the really small sub 200 lb heavies who did not pack a big punch. He would destroy Quarry, Patterson, Ellis etc. I would not even personally sanction such fights as the really small heavies who don't have the power to threaten him would be mere punching bags.

I think Lewis beats Quarry, Patterson, Ellis, Shavers, Norton and Lyle.

I also think he beats Bugner and Bonavena. Bugner is very good but too offensively passive to threaten Lewis. And Ringo is probably too crude.

I think Foreman stops him. Lewis is too hittable. He doesn't have the chin, reflexes and ability of Ali to absorb body shots. Foreman is too agressive and Lewis's size works against him. However, i could see Lewis beating a post Ziare Foreman who was sometimes fighting too measured.

Lewis also likely beats Frazier. However, if the fight goes long, Joe could wear him down, especially from rounds 13-15.

Ali and Holmes are his toughest tests. Lewis never fought anyone with the handspeed of Ali. Not even close. A 36 year old Tyson and HIV positive lethargic Morrison are not Ali when it comes to handspeed and combination punching. Lewis will struggle in championship rounds vs these 2. He has never faced a fighter remotely as fast as 78 Holmes or 71-74 Ali. Those guys have superior endurance too.

However, Lewis's jab, physical strength and punching power would keep it competitive. I think 71-74 Ali beats Lewis something like 9-6, 75 Ali is probably 50-50 vs Lewis and Lewis probably decisions post 75 Ali.

I think Holmes will decision him too but given Larry's vulnerability to big right hands, i would see Lewis splitting a 3 fight series with him. Holmes 2 fights to 1 for me but yes, Lewis could beat him.

As with the other thread, it depends on when he is matched vs these guys. There is a giant difference between Ziare 1974 Ali and 77 Ali. There is a giant difference between FOTC Frazier 1971 and Frazier of 1976.

The most interesting question is - which non ATG could upset him? Shavers? Lyle? Mac Foster? Coetzee? Someone is bound to do it.

 

There's not many he'd lose to tbh.
But of course this is boxing, anything can happen like a McCall type shock, but if Lennox is focused and not taking anyone for granted, then he's a tough one to beat.

 

They don't.

A majority believe Ali won fight 2 I haven't really seen anyone on this forum produce a scorecard with Norton winning.

The general consensus is Ali won fight 2 in a competitive but clear decision.

Lewis/Mercer is far more controversial than Ali/Norton 2.

And I would say Lewis/Holyfield 2 has about the same controversy as Ali/Norton 2.

 

I am doing Ali-Norton 2 as the next classic fight rewatch at the end of this month. I will add a poll to it.

 

I haven't been here too long so I believe you. But outside here I have seen it said quite often.

 

Potentially yes. Especially if he primed around 1974

 

EXCELLENT analysis--can't think of anything I disagree with! Well done!!

 

Muhammad Ali vs Ken Norton 2

1 Ali
2 Ali
3 Ali
4 Ali
5 Norton
6 Ali
7 Norton
8 Norton
9 Ali
10 Norton
11 Norton
12 Ali

115-113 Ali

@OddR

 

I agree it was 7-5 for me also.

 

Here you go:

Muhammad Ali vs Ken Norton II

Round 1 10-9 Ali

Round 2 10-9 Ali

Round 3 10-9 Ali

Round 4 10-9 Norton (close)

Round 5 10-9 Norton

Round 6 10-9 Ali (close)

Round 7 10-9 Norton

Round 8 10-9 Norton

Round 9 10-9 Norton

Round 10 10-9 Norton

Round 11 10-9 Norton

Round 12 10-9 Ali

113-115 Norton
I can see it a draw as well but hard to give it to Ali.
Lewis vs Holyfield is a clear 8-4 though can't see a way for Holyfield to win whereas there's a clear argument for Norton here or at least a draw.

 

Lennox Lewis the type of guy in the 70s to clown, present himself outta of shape and get KOed by Mac Foster.

Jokes aside, I think he would do well, losing against Alì, defeating Frazier, Norton yet not so sure about how he would do against Foreman.

 

I've always scored the second fight for Muhammad. 7 - 5 in rounds.

 

How did you score the third fight? That was 8-7 Norton for me I had it closer than most I think.

 

Haven't had a chance to watch it so not sure I just go by general consensus on that one which seems to be Norton got robbed. But I should one of these days.