If the December 2003 rematch between Lewis and Klitschko had occurred, who would have won?

That was the date for the agreed upon re-match, before Lewis backed out and subsequently retired. What if the fight went through? How would it have gone?

 

Vitali would win for sure and Lewis knew it.

Lewis was getting his bell rung until the cut became a big factor. Can't rely on that again. Even with the cut and Vitali's face falling off, take a look at Lewis at the end of the fight. The dude was exhausted and looked like he was about to have a heart attack. I mean, props to him for hanging in there cause he showed real guts, but I think his age was also starting to show and a rematch would have seen him getting stopped.

 

Lewis.

 

The likelihood is Lewis would open those lacerations again with an immediate rematch, because that damage isn't healing that fast. And he stops Vitali in more convincing fashion due to better preparation

 

I think Vitali probably wins but Lewis is not in his prime. Vitali's problem is bad power for a SHW, and no defence against tall people, so it gives Lewis a chance to hang around and mess his face up again. There's no way Wlad lands that much on Lewis and Lewis is still standing. One big RH is all he'd need, actually, or a hook even, and Lewis would be canvas-ed. Watching Vitali trying to KO someone is excruciating. People talk about Fury having bad power, but there's no way Fury lands at will on Briggs/Arreola etc. for that many rounds and can't stop them. Even the Sanders stoppage was so drawn out it was ridiculous.

 

Probably only the 4306th time this has been asked

 

Did Lewis deserve rematch vs McCall and Rahman? He was decisively stopped by one punch both times, Rahman knocked him out cold. Why did he deserve the rematches, and others don't?

 

It's pretty much widely accepted that Lewis with a full camp would have won even more emphatically in a rematch.

 

Lewis could have had a "rematch with a full camp" but instead was trying to fight anybody BUT Vitali. In the end he hid behind his wife's skirts and said she wouldn't let him.

 

Ultimately he already beat Vitali with a less than full camp, Vitali didn't make the final bell.

It's widely accepted Lewis wins the rematch even more emphatically.

A champion winning a fight by stoppage will very rarely rematch the challenger they've just stopped.

 

fixed it

... unless it's Lewis that lost by stoppage in which case a rematch is mandatory,

 

If a fighter himself deep down KNOWS he will most likely lose a fight and is outgunned by a guy he’s already fought, ESPECIALLY if the fighter he’s up against is a diabolically obsessed Killer like Vitali Klitschko… odds are you aren’t coming outta that one with the W. Lol At that level you would need to be mentally sharp and ready to fight a guy like Vitali.

Vitali by KO in 4. He would’ve been soo dialed in and wouldn’t take long for him to get Lewis’ rhythm and time a perfect 1-2 with all the frustration he had from the first fight being stopped. I can envision Lewis’ pride helping him to beat the count and get up. Then instead of following Steward’s pleas from the corner screaming to “TIE ‘EM UP!!!” Lewis’ disdain for Vitali causes him to fight back and try to get that back only to be timed with another Vitali right hand as he was throwing his own. BAM. OUT. Forward momentum from Lewis throwing him own shot causes a face first KO loss for him.

Beautiful and proper passing of the torch. Ugh! It’s just too bad ‘The Lion’ didn’t wanna face the music and keep his word of a rematch. Oh well

Vitali KO4

 

No, Lewis lost as a champion defending against Rahman. I don't know whether they had a rematch or clause or if Rahman just felt he could repeat the trick again.

But Vitali was a challenger, and he lost. Losing challengers, especially those who lose by stoppage, don't get immediate rematches.

A poorly prepared Lewis beat him and that's why we all widely accept he'd have beaten him even clearer in the rematch. Lewis himself says the same.

 

It's hard to say, Lewis was 37 at the time, and that's not that old for a heavyweight, he could certainly get in better shape before the rematch, so his chances of winning would increase...

 

“B.. bu.. but lewis was sooo out of shape doe!!”

Emanuel Steward has repeatedly said lewis was in good shape. Even lewis got offended during the post fight presser by people insinuating he wasn’t in good condition. Emanuel has said the extra weight was in fact to help deal with Vitali’s 250lbs of solid size!

This crap about lewis basically coming off the couch on two weeks notice to fight a well prepared and dialed in Vitali is exactly THAT! Crap. A load of it.

Vitali also had the same two weeks to change strategy from another opponent to lewis! And lewis was what… 253lbs!?? He fought Tyson at 248. That’s five ****ing pounds from arguably his best performance. This narrative of lewis coming into this fight like Andy Ruiz is coping at its finest.