In their primes, who was more skilled... Lennox Lewis or Riddick Bowe?

Citing the Bruno fight as an example of Bowe being more skilled than Lewis isn't telling the whole story, though. Lewis clearly became a better and more skilled boxer once he was associated with Steward. He wasn't better in every dapartment, as you say, but he was certainly able to employ what he learned better than Bowe did once he hit his actual prime (which, for the sake of referance, would probably be from 1997-2000, for the most part). And that version of Lewis relied not only upon his gifts, but upon a vastly improved skill-set.

 

This! I was watching some Bowe fights recently and while he think he was very solid and skilled for a HW I was amazed at how open his defense was, and how frequently he took more damage or shots than he should have needed to. He seemed to rely more upon his natural talent than a dedication to the craft, and ultimately I think Lewis surpassed him.

 

Having more all around skills is great. However, being more effective at what you do best is more important.

 

I don't think the Bruno fight is the best fight to judge Lennox on.

I dare say that Riddick would have struggled just as badly with Bruno on that kind of form, albeit winning by stoppage eventually.

It was easily the best performance of Bruno's career. If he'd repeated that against McCall and Tyson in the rematch he'd have won both by KO..... he was just desperate to beat Lewis and fought superbly.

I'd suggest the Mercer and Morrison fights are slightly better guages of both guys. Lewis was given hell by Mercer, whereas Riddick would probably beat him up en route to a stoppage.... on the other hand Lewis made Morrison look like a flat out tomato can, decking him several times. Bowe might do the same, but I've got reservations. He'd get the job done..... but not as effectively.

 

Beeston forgot his medication.

 

I think I've taken far too much actually......

:cheers

 

Bowe was very good but Lewis with the big right hand had the style which could last longer. Bowe had the great left hook, but he had to be inside to land it and he used his size a lot, but against Golota that worked against him. Lewis could measure guys and knock them out and not have to fight grueling fights. Even though Lewis was knocked out 2 times in lucky punch scenarios, he still was not as worn out early in his career as Bowe was. Bowe would have had a hard time against Tyson stylewise.

 

Lewis was more intelligent, more skilled and was a better puncher AND champion than Bowe...and he NEVER threw his belt in the garbage can either. I also give him credit for not being associated with a scumbag like Rock Newman either.

 

Thsi is more or less my answer. The best "skill" is intelligence, and Lewis had different modes he could switch to depending on his opponent.

 

Yes,,, there was LLI and LLII...either one would have beaten Bowe and most other heavyweight champions of history.