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

I don't think he'd beat 1970-1974 Ali, FOTC Frazier, and probably not 1979 Holmes.

I figure he'd get way up for Foreman, Tate, and Norton and beat them conclusively.

 

He'd be the best from 75 onwards. The big names had shown deterioration > the early 70's. The late 70's was not that terrific and was competitive because everyone was on the wrong side of the mountain.

 

I think he would dominate only Ali and maybe Holmes would be a match against him

 

Lewis even beats 60s Ali, nevermind 70s Ali, Lewis obliterates him.

 

But the thread creator said we're using prime Lewis here.

That's due to styles. And 96-97 Holyfield was in some ways better than 92 Holyfield. Yes, the older version lost some speed, but he was way stronger and his skills were more polished.

In some ways yes. It's a matter of styles. Also, I said Holmes is the only one in the 70s that might trouble Lewis.

I never said he's unbeatable, I just feel there's nobody in that era that will beat him.

 

I still wouldn't favour Lewis over the very best version of Ali in the 70s aka the one who was very sharp had movement for all 12 rounds vs Norton in their 2nd fight.

And i wouldn't favour Lewis over a prime Holmes either.

But the thread title also stated "Would Lewis be a dominant force in the 1970s"

So if you're having a fighter go back into an era they can't be 100 percent prime for every fight that's not realistic scenario.

He also didn't have the same energy levels, wasn't a consistent combination puncher anymore, and was more shopworn from the countless wars he'd been in. I mean this was the same version of Holyfield who in his very next fight after Lewis would go life and death with John Ruiz.

Yes an older Holyfield had certain attributes like being physically stronger and maybe more smarter in regards to not getting involved in slugfests.

But put it this way is the 1999 version of Holyfield a better H2H fighter than the version of Holyfield who beat Bowe, KO'ed Douglas, or beat up Big George ? absolutely not.

Well who beats him then ? Holmes, Ali, are amongst the best H2H fighters at Heavyweight if you don't think they have a good chance of beating Lewis. I fail to see how you think anyone else would ? you must think he's unbeatable then.

Don't get me wrong Lewis is a very good H2H fighter but i think he does get a tad overrated in regards to his H2H ability. If you get 1 shotted by two B Class Heavyweights, fight on even terms vs an out of shape Mercer, and have a very close fight vs a shopworn 37 year old Holyfield you are beatable end of.

 

Couldn't obliterate a 37 year old Holyfield or Mavrovic or an overweight Mercer. But sure, he has an easy time vs 60's Ali who's twice as fast as anything Lewis has ever faced. Okey dokey.

 

Did Lewis ever fight an elite boxer type with good movement and good handspeed ? Not that I recall.

Morrison
Ruddock
Mercer
Vitali
Bruno
Tua

Etc.

Good wins but Lewis doesn't really have a win over anyone remotely like Holmes, Ali. Lewis seemed to fight mostly sluggers or punchers.

 

Prime Lewis couldn't obliterate 214 lbs Mavrovic whose best win was Julius Francis. 70s version of Ali beat Foreman, Frazier, Quarry twice, Lyle l, Ellis and many others who were much better than Mavrovic let alone Francis

 

Joe Bunger gives Lewis major problems. I'd like to see that one

 

While that's true it seems to go both ways no? Ali and Holmes never beat a skilled SHW like Lewis who could keep them at range with his jab.

 

Yet he obliterated Grant and Golata who were way better seems like a nitpick to bring up Mavrovic

 

I mean that's true Ali outweighed more than 70% his opponents and was taller than over 90% he was actually giant for the era he fought in.

 

Lewis got out jabbed quite a few times an out of shape Mercer hit him with a staggering 60 percent of his jabs so I don't think Ali or Holmes would have much trouble landing their jabs. As they both have better jabs, longer reach, and considerably quicker hands than Mercer.

 

So was Lewis but he still had issues vs Holyfield, Mercer, who weren't Super Heavyweights.

Ali has beaten numerous fighters of 6'3, 6'4, 6'5.