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

Hard to say considering the first fight was stopped due to a cut. I'd pick Vitali to catch a complacent Lewis in the rematch.

 

It's amusing how people rationalise Lewis' struggle with Klitschko through referencing the fact that it was on short notice, as if the experienced and legendary champion isn't in a more advantageous position in such a scenario than a relatively inexperienced, lowly-regarded no mark.

 

What makes you think that Lewis, after enduring a considerable struggle to win on a technicality, would come into a rematch with complacency? I would never have seen that happening.

 

Lewis would have trained for V Klitschko, he would have entered the ring fully prepped and would have KO’d Vitaly inside 7 rounds!
Ask Rahman and McCall about the difference between fighting a sloppy Lewis compared to a serious motivated one

Also VK faced the worst ever version of LL and despite being on top in the first round or two he was going backwards with the fight going away from him when he was stopped by the cut. He had hit a sloppy Lewis with everything and Lennox ate the lot and was then landing the bigger shots. I had it 3 - 3 when the fight ended but it could easily be argued 4 - 2 Lewis

 

He might start stronger this time around before getting complacent mid/late rounds and get caught. Wouldn't be the first time that's happened.

 

Lewis wouldn’t have been complacent in the rematch which is why Klitschko gets brutally dropped after eating loads of overhand rights and uppercuts

 

Maybe. Just my opinion.

 

Impossible to know. You can make strong arguments for either fighter in the rematch.

Lewis retired for a reason, I'd question his ability to motivate himself enough at that late stage in his career to beat Vitali. Had he had that drive anymore he would of taken the rematch. I doubt we would have seen a significantly better version of Lewis at that point, mentally he had already checked out which is why he was chasing the rematch with Tyson as he was now only chasing a big pay check.

But then maybe Vitali's scar tissue hasn't healed enough as he was cut again vs Sanders and we know Lewis can land the right hand regularly, so again maybe Vitali gets stopped on cuts against a sub par Lewis.

 

All stuff made up by you.

Here's what's not made up: Lewis said he'd rematch Vitali, then he got cold feet, then he tried to make matches with other guys and then, being cornered by public opinion, decided "muh mummy an muh wife say I can't".

If Lennox "Fine Wine" Lewis thought he could beat Vitali he would have rematched him, instead of pulling a Deontay Wilder.

 

But Lewis already did beat Vitali. He stopped him.

 

Lewis with a full camp knowing he was fighting Vitali from the off more than likely beats him easier than the first time imo . There was no need for a rematch anyway it was not like Vitali got robbed on the cards or it was a close fight,Vitali started out fast and was making it hard for Lewis to get any momentum going,once Lewis figured him out he started to take over the fight and even without the eye damage Vitali was not going to hear the final bell .

 

Historically, champions often get the rematch when they lost the title. Floyd rematched Johannson and Liston, Liston rematched Ali, Ali rematched Spinks, Holmes rematched Spinks, Holyfield rematched Bowe and Moorer, Tyson rematched Holyfield and even now AJ rematched Ruiz and Usyk. Vitali was the challenger who Lewis stopped. He didn't deserve anything. Would the second fight be interesting? Sure. But you don't often get rematches when you get stopped as a contender.

Also, with the McCall sutiation, Lewis didn't rematch McCall right away. He put himself into position as the WBC mandatory contedner and it just happened that Mike Tyson dropped the belt and McCall was next in line, so they squared off for the vacancy.

 

There’s a reason Lennox retired and then started giving ‘advice’ to all of Vitali’s future opponents on how to ‘beat’ him

fighters that are confident don’t retire after saying they will rematch. Not sure why this triggers so many people on here. It was a great fight. There was no rematch for a reason.

 

Ripping half of a mans face off with your gloves fists = technicality.

 

Lennox is a top ten heavyweight. Vitali is lucky if he's included in a top twenty.

Facts.