How would Lennox Lewis have handled the rope a dope?

I'm guessing that Lewis would have picked his shots better, and not come in so recklessly and walk into straight shots so often.

Foreman may not have been a dumb fighter overall but I think he fought pretty dumb in Zaire. At the very least, he was being irresponsible on defense by repeatedly coming in and leaving himself so open down the middle. It wasn't as if Foreman suddenly tired and Ali started winning, but Foreman was losing throughout.

I'm guessing that the rope-a-dope wouldn't have worked on Lewis. If it was being effective after a couple rounds, like it was on Foreman, then I'm guessing Lewis would have switched it up. Perhaps after some pleading from Manny Steward.

 

I agree, Lewis would have adapted to this without too much trouble and it may not even have worked given his reach as it basically protected Foreman from hitting Ali in the head. One should also realize that the rope-a-dope wouldn't have worked in the states, or anywhere else, because they would have tightened the ropes.

 

The rope a dope was utilized because Foreman wouldn't let Ali move and pushed him to the ropes.

I doubt Lewis would execute such a game plan but if he did Ali would obviously get wrecked.

 

A prime Lewis couldn't even handle the Mercer Dope, Ali would have made him look silly IMO.

 

Treble the jab and keep range. It wouldn't be a style that could work against Lewis.

 

But Ali wouldn't need to do this tactic to beat Lewis anyway.

 

I think that the rope a dope would have played into Lewis’s hands.

He would have seen the stationary target, as an opportunity to pick his shots and score points, rather than a target to go all out on.

He would have been more methodical.

 

I would further add, that he might also have been able to land head shots, something Foreman was unable to do because Lewis's reach is about 7-8" longer than Foreman's. Essentially what Ali did was use the loose ropes to protect his head by leaning back enough to avoid getting hit, and then it allowed him to focus on covering up the body, which is all Foreman really could go after. I think Lewis would have been able to land head shots, which would have negated the whole strategy.

 

Ali would have been in a lot of trouble if he had used this strategy on Lewis. Lennox would have used his jab to force Ali to shift his guard, allowing Lewis to catch him with other shots.

The rope-a-dope worked once. It never really worked after that, though generous judes gave Ali credit for laying there doing nothing.

 

The rope a dope wouldn't have worked very well on Lennox. He wouldn't have taken the bait, like Foreman and others did...instead, he would have selectively plied his jab to probe the way for an occasional right hand....and he certainly would have been too smart and cautious not to get wild and crazy.
LL would have been a nightmare for Ali, in that he would use his Plan B style, like he did with Holyfield.

 

Lewis was mega patient.

He'd just jab the hell out of Ali, not going wild.

 

Exactly:good

 

A Manny Steward fighter would have no problem being content racking up points with the jab and boxing conservatively for the win. I highly doubt it'd have worked on that Lewis.

An earlier version, perhaps.