Did Lewis duck Byrd

I wouldn't say I've read the thread, just flicked through it. I really can't be bothered to argue the points as they're too ridiculous for words.

 

yes lewis did avoid byrd.
does it harm his lagacy.

not really.

 

Lewis ducked Byrd.
Just like Larry Holmes ducked Greg Page.

Byrd was a worthy contender with his win over Tua.
Kirk Johnson was not as worthy as Byrd and no more lucrative, probably even less of a payday. Lewis chose Johnson over Byrd.

 

Hmm lets see how Byrd did against big guys:

Wlad - completely dominated
Vitali - getting beat easily until Vitali pulled a sick note
Golota - most had Golota beating Byrd and Byrd detached his retina in this fight
McCline - many had McCline beating Byrd

And Lennox is supposed to lose to this guy And what did he do to deserve the shot? Lose to Wlad? Basically lose to Vitali? BEat a fat Tua? Beat a shot Holyfield? Get gifts against Golota, Oquendo and McCline?

 

Heres the photo of Lewis with Byrd and Ruiz for all who said he ran from them!


http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_9-11-2002_pg2_15

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King raises pressure on Jones to make heavyweight deal
Saturday, November 09, 2002

NEW YORK: Promoter Don King raised the pressure on undisputed light-heavyweight champion Roy Jones to finalize a heavyweight title fight deal by announcing details of a tournament that still might not happen.

With Britain’s Lennox Lewis lending support to legitimize the event, King revealed plans here Monday for the “Hard Road to Glory” series aimed at uniting the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation crowns. Evander Holyfield will fight Chris Byrd for the vacant IBF crown on December 14 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, while King plans to match Jones against WBA champion John Ruiz on March 1 at Las Vegas in the all-American event.

Jones was the only fighter who did not attend. Jones has not agreed to contract terms with King, who wants promotion rights to future fights. Jones, who could be effective against smaller heavyweights, wants to pick his fights. “Right now I’m paying attention to one fight and one fight only. That fight is with John Ruiz,” Jones said Thursday in a statement released by his lawyer, Murad Muhammad. “I wish Byrd and Holyfield good luck on their upcoming fight but I am concentrating on my battle with John Ruiz and nothing else. I cannot be sidetracked by any other thoughts.”

King admits that he has no deal in place to guarantee the first two fight winners meet later in 2003 to bring the crowns together as he wants. “It’s my sincere hope the victors of both fights will decide to meet,” King said. “The elimination process strengthens the integrity of the sport and guarantees the validity of the winner.”

World Boxing Council champion Lewis, regarded as the true champion and committed to serve as a television commentator for the series, only hinted that he would be willing to give the tournament winner a chance at undisputed glory. “I endorse the whole tournament,” Lewis said. “I support it. It’s great for boxing. It has piqued my interest. Perhaps from my coverage and observation of the winner, I may permit him to challenge me.” “After the two fights, it’s up to Lewis to decide whether he will fight him, but nothing is in concrete,” King said.

King tentatively has an IBF-WBA unification fight set for late 2003, which would leave Lewis a year for other fights before a possible showdown in 2004, when he will be 38.

Lewis did hold out hope that he might fight Mike Tyson in a 2003 rematch of his June title victory, provided the money is right and Tyson manages to bolster his reputation with some victories. “It’s wait and see,” Lewis said. Jones would receive 60 percent of the profits or 10 million dollars, whichever is greater. Ruiz would make at least five million dollars and more if the pay-per-view is high enough.

Jones clearly brings the star-power to the event. Ruiz is lightly regarded, Holyfield’s best years are behind him and Byrd has never owned a major crown. And there is curiosity at how Jones faces the biggest test of his 13 pro years. Holyfield, eight years older than Byrd at 40, is 38-5 with two drawn and 25 knockouts. Byrd is 36-2 with 20 knockouts. —AFP
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Of course Jones vacated his title, the winners never faced off but rather Don King put them in a series of nothing fights against the fres oquendo`s, Williamson and mcline which caused the public to hold little regard for these champions, especially since Golota was widely seen as robbed of decisions against both champions Byrd and Ruiz.

 

What he said!

 

Considering how little credit Wlad got for dismantling Byrd twice, Lennox probably would've lost ground in the ATG rankings even if he KO'd him.

 

Don't give me this hindsight crap.

Grant was bigger than Lewis and didn't get to 31-0 by accident. The ten opponents Grant faced prior to Lewis had 28 losses between them and 12 of those belonged to one fighter. Nearly all of them were ranked among the bodies. Golota was a WBC eliminator so Grant was his number 1 as well.

Ruiz was coming off a nice run but had lost three fights, did not perform as well nor did he have any angles like Grants size, religion, athleticism.

Plus it was Lewis that told the WBA to create a super belt so that he could have more time to defend against different mandatories. Lewis had two mandatories and one just around the corner in Tua.

Pre fight they were asking Lewis if he'd retire if he loses.

I said Tyson was money making. Lewis spent an ENTIRE career facing the guys that needed to be face. Then he wants one pure money fight and you hold it against him? Tyson wanted a rematch, Lewis said he'd give it to him, Lewis said he was leaving and as you saw after Tyson he got rid of the IBF belt and was semi-retired. He was going to go to Canada to fight a Canadian and then cash in before retiring. A home coming and a money fight. He was wrapping up his career.

 

what happened in a sparring match between ruiz and lewis?

 

There goes your last shred of credibility. :hi:

Here is John "Mr. Established" Ruiz's road to the #1 ranking......

Following the KTFO loss to Tua in less than a minute...
Doug Davis
Greg Pickrom
Nathaniel Fitch
Youri Yelistratov
Jimmy Thunder
Ray Anis
Tony Tucker
Jerry Ballard
Mario Cawley
Fernely Feliz
Thomas Williams

Who in there is more credible than Golota was when Grant fought him?

I'm all ears. :think