If Lewis turned pro in 1984, how does his career go?

With less amateur experience I’m guessing he’d have to take things a little slower and probably wouldn’t be fighting contenders as early as he did in the actual timeline. In this new dimension he would potentially be looking at guys like Tyson and Holyfield in their prime renditions. How he fared would also depend greatly on who he had in his corner. In the reality we are familiar with that person was Emanuel Steward. Would it be the same trainer or someone different ? Would he have to suffer the same fate of losing to a lesser man before connecting with such a mentor or would he start with one immediately ? If the former is true would he have maturity at his young age to regroup from such a defeat ? Too many variables to be certain.

 

It’s interesting how adjusting four years in his timeline might have made a universe of difference. He could have ended up the greatest fighter of all time and then again an obscurity long forgotten.

 

He obviously needed more seasoning. His career would not have panned out as well.

 

He would have got knocked out by Buster Douglas

 

If he goes pro at 19, Lewis almost certainly has a slower build-up to world class. I think Lewis has an extra loss or two on his CV, but still goes on to be a good HW champ.

If Lennox progresses at the same rate in reaching world class four years after turning pro as he did in reality, he gets stopped by Iron Mike in late '88 or '89.

I don't think Lewis would progress that fast in reality if he turns pro after the 1984 Games. He would need to grow into his strength and gain ring experience. Those four years from 1984-88 in the amateurs will have helped LL enormously. He was turning pro as a '88 gold medallist also. He lost in the '84 Olympics.

Then there's also the question of is he still trained by Emanuel Steward. If Emanuel gets to train him, he does a good job. Yes, so many variables. I think Lewis would still have gone on to have a very good career as he had the innate attributes.

 

Not well.

 

I have a lot of seasoning in my kitchen.

 

Like the others on here said, he may or may not have done as well. Especially if he didn't have Stewart. He likely would have met the prime versions of Holyfield and Tyson and may well have lost to them both. Although, if he beat both in their prime it would have gave him one of the most fantastic resume's at heavy ever.

 

This. Lennox needed that extra amateur experience and for his body to mature more. Everybody isn’t made to turn pro early.

 

After the 84 Olympics Lennox was 19. He had obvious natural talent but he was still skinny and gangling albeit he still carried impressive power.
It is more than likely that he would have turned pro in the States where he would have had not only Mike Tyson but also Henry Tillman and Tyrell Biggs as immediate rivals.
I can imagine a scenario in which Lennox would have been rushed into big fights before he had matured and properly grown into his body. Two or three defeats, possibly painful ones, would see him on the tank tour and served up as an offering to, ironically Bruno, or maybe if he lasts long enough, Damiani or Mercer.
I've always seen those extra four years in the amateurs as vital to Lewis's career path.

 

Luckily for Lewis this didn’t happen

 

I think a key factor is....does he still turn pro in britain in 1984?....if he does than he has to go with duff/astaire/barrett...the 4 years make a huge difference....frank warren really only started getting going in 1987 ....he was considered the new upstart with new ways....barry hearn got going in earnest in 1989 with eubanks...again he bought a new way...as did the small time frank Maloney...these 3 did things somewhat differently..

He wouldnt be fighting Frank Bruno if he went pro in 1984 as theyd be stablemates...

Whichever way u look at it turning pro in 84....lewis isnt gonna move fast enough to pick up a alphabet title before tysons hbo tourney starts..i think like others he gets knocked out by tyson in 1988...and also gets targeted by evander in 88-89....its also possible he meets the prime ruddock not the used up finished ghost he met after tyson had mauled him 19 hellish rounds within 4 months...overall i think he picks up 3 losses before running into steward and becoming the guy he did

 

Not too well.