How much longer could Lennox have reigned?

His vulnerabilities were already showing significantly in the Rahman and Klitschko fights.. Given the state of the division during the early 2000's, he might have hung around until about 2005, but not much longer... Lewis was deteriorating and fast.

 

Vitali would have won a rematch for sure. He was winning on the cards , simply vitali was easy to cut.

 

A flabby, Old Lewis who was poorly motivated for the Peak Vitali fight, still almost killed him in brutal fashion, that in itself speaks volumes.
The bias scorecards mean nothing, I had it 4-2 for Lennox, with Vitali only taking the initial 2 rounds. Plus, at least one of the final couple could have been scored 10-8 for Lewis, since Vitali was desperately clinching, between vicious beatings.

Quite honestly, if Lewis had the hunger to train for his defenses as he did for the Rahman rematch & Tyson fight, then he could literally still be the Champion today* (that's taking into account further ageing too).
Obviously that is theoretical & idealistic, but with the required discipline , I don't see why Old Lennox wouldn't be the best around now, especially considering Wlad would be Steward-less.

*I mean continuing on from 2003.

 

2-3 fights max if Vitali wasn't installed as the WBC mandatory, a decision that still puzzles me.

Lewis had already been contemplating retirement around 2000, his hunger was declining, proved by acclimatising for only 2 weeks when facing Rahman at 5000ft. In truth he only really wanted Tyson.
After dominating Tyson the hunger was gone. He only wanted RJJ or Tyson II hence the pursuit through the courts. Those were the 2 biggest paydays out there and easiest.

When Tyson II wasn't happening and RJJ came to his senses and said no way that was it. Let's face it why face Klitschko for $25 million when you're only wanting RJJ or Tyson who would bring $30 million + paydays.

So to answer your question an unmotivated Lewis would have beaten ever fighter out there not named Vitali, but the mandatory installation ****ed that.

It could have been

RJJ Late 2003 early 2004, Lewis ko1.
Tyson II late 2004, Lewis ko mid rounds.
Then Byrd for the IBF title or Klitschko II for his final fight.

 

wobbling less then lewis...but anyhow...5 months later vitali would have gotten better....lewis might have gotten in a bit better shape...but he would also have been 5 months older....

 

I agree that his hunger was gone after dominating Shot Tyson, but what if he somehow regained his "eye of the tiger*" after the Vitali fight?


*or should I say "eye of the lion"?

 

Even if he wound back the clock to the mid 90's I still only see him fighting to around 40.
If that had happened he beats Vitali mid-late rounds in the rematch late 2003, Byrd was begging for a match and with the IBF title up for grabs Lewis would have been quite happy to take it from him early-mid 2004. Late 2004 Lewis adds the WBO title brutalising Brewster. For his final fight he faces a Stewardless Wlad early 2005. Wlad has been calling out Lewis to regain his family honour only. Lewis is only happy to oblige and puts Wlad in a coma.

Wlad later claims Steward spiked his water.

I jest.

A motivated Lewis would beat anyone in his path barring the top ATGs.

 

That was the best Vitali in the ring that night.

 

Lewis ran his course as champion. 2003 was his good bye year.. A rematch with Vitali Klit would've been ballsy and potentially harmful to his (Lewis) health... Retiring was wise on team Lewis' part...

MR.BILL

 

A well prepared Old Lewis would brutally KO Peak Vitali in about 5 rounds.
Vitali would be the only one having to worry about his health.

Watch their '03 fight again; flabby, untrained Old Lewis nearly punched Peak Vitali into the grave. In rounds 5 & 6, Vitali seemed only concerned with not becoming a murder victim.
I have no doubt that Lennox would have put him to sleep in round 7, it was a merciful stoppage indeed.

MR.KALLY

 

Interesting question. I don't think he wanted to stick around when it wasn't necessary. Would've been nice to see him give Vitlay la revancha.