Highest Ranked Fighter, Lennox Beats From 1970 - 80?

Muhammad Ali

 

He could beat number 3 Joe Frazier and maybe even Number 2 Foreman, but I dont think he would beat Ali.

 

Stops Quarry, Ellis, Shavers, Spinks, hmmmm...

Not entirely sure on Norton. The pre-Steward Lewis would probably stop him early, the Steward-Lewis just might lose a SD.

Lyle is also problematic. He might just catch LL by surprise.

Interesting topic, will think on it more.

 

A prime Ali would beat Lewis comfortably. But a post Manilla Ali? Nah. Ali was still fast but no longer in great shape, he would coast some rounds. Now of course, Ali could land a viscous combination or a big right hand and end it (and before you laugh, consider that neither Rahman nor McCall were known as giant punchers. And Ali's hands were way faster than those two so Lewis might not even see Ali's right at times. The punches that you don't see are the punches that are likely to stop you).

I favour Zaire Ali over Lewis but not post Manilla. I think Lewis would decision the older slower Ali, albeit in a competitive fight. (Just like an older slower Holyfield still being competitive vs Lewis the second time round).

I also think Lewis would be favoured over Frazier post FOTC in 1971. The 1971 Frazier vs Lewis? Lewis would be a favourite but not by a massive margin. In a 15 rounder, Frazier could wear Lewis down with body attacks and potentially wear him out and stop him. I favour Lewis to win a decision, perhaps a late stoppage too if he lets his lands go, but it would be interesting.

I do think Lewis had the power to blow Frazier away but would he go after Joe like George did? I am not sure. Lewis was more risk averse. Unless he was fighting guys with extremely poor defense (like Ruddock or Grant), Lewis tended to be more cautious. So while he has the power of Big George, he is not going to go after Joe in such a manner.

So who is Lewis's biggest scalp? Ali post Manilla in a decision, followed by Frazier.

Lewis-Holmes would be competitive but i favour Larry. Lewis would trouble him with his right hand but Larry's jab, movement and footwork should allow him to win a close decision. The 13-15th rounds would heavily favour Holmes as Lewis never went that far, and as a bigger man, his endurance wouldn't be quite as good as Larry.

Foreman, especially pre Zaire, would stop Lewis in 3 rounds. Lewis's size makes him an easy target for Big George, and IMO, this is one of the world stylistic match ups for him. Lewis can't keep Big George off him and George would make it a slugging match.

So Lewis beats post Manilla Ali, likely beats any version of Frazier (with 1971 FOTC Frazier having an outside chance), loses a competitive decisions to Holmes, gets stopped early by Foreman, destroys Norton, Lyle, Shavers, Quarry, and Bonavena.

 

He'd lose to the top 4, if it's prime v prime.

So, 5th.
Which is probably Norton.

 

Does he get to bring his modern training paraphernalia, coaches, and any potential PEDs back with him? Or is he growing up in the 40s/50s?

If the latter, Lewis's performance and longevity suffers compared to the version we saw.

 

I'd favor Zaire Ali mildly and have Foreman minor fave as well, maybe 55-45 George. He'd knock Frazier and Norton out for mine. At his best i'd take him over Holmes by close decision. It's certainly not impossible to picture him nipping early 70's Ali by decision particularly over shorter than 15. Norton was running him close each time.

 

Yes i am picturing the later Lewis Fergy. I am somewhat open on Zaire Ali and Lewis tho i'd make Ali a narrow fave. He's so hard to beat when he's in that boxing zone.

 

In many ways the lesser younger version of Lewis might take him out faster. He'd probably be faster out of the blocks and throw more right hands and if Norton tightened up, which he most likely would, he'd be toast.