Interesting quote from Lennox Lewis

Was it really a bigger deal than Lewis V Tyson or Holyfield? - i find that hard to believe - Vitali was not a big name with a history then - he was the back up for the main event remember. maybe it was just early days in ESB - I don't think there has been a bigger HW event since the Lewis v Vitali fight, but that was because Lewis (the unified HW champ) was involved no other reason.

 

Yeah... yet Lennox Lewis wanted a rematch with Mike Tyson.:rofl Lennox is full of ****. If he thought Vitali was going to be an easy fight... he would have took the mega-payday and set the record straight. Instead... he tried to sue Mike Tyson back into the ring, and then retired 8 months later when the WBC mandated that he either fight Vitali again or be stripped.

Vitali chased Lewis into retirement. Everyone knows that deep down.

 

This forum didn't exist when Tyson fought Holyfield.

And yes, Vitali - Lewis was the biggest thing on ESB, ask any old timer.

 

Peak Lewis would remove both Vitali's eyes from his face.

 

Lewis would probably have turned up in better shape for a rematch. Vitali probably wouldn't have got cut so bad and would bring his A game, but Lewis would know what to expect and would be better prepared for it. Like the man says, Vitali lost to the worst version of him. I cannot see him losing a rematch if he could get in shape. But that's the question... could he get into shape again? Did he have the desire or motivation? Had he just gotten old and couldn't get to the same level anymore? Who knows? Certainly not me.

PS - Yes, Vitali lost that night, fair & square. Anyone who says different needs to go read the rules and then shut their piehole.

 

He is wrong. Vitali could and would beat this version of him 8/10 times. That injury WAS unlucky.

Now I rate Lewis slightly higher head to head, prime for prime, but he was always obviously bullshitting through his teeth to the media about Klitschkos and how much better he thinks he is. Simple.

 

People can talk all they want, Lewis got the win and that is what the history books will say.

 

Lewis retired at the right time, it was pretty obvious from the Vitali fight that he was slipping rapidly, he looked so sloppy compared to even the year or so before.

Would Lewis have lost the rematch?... probably, but really who the hell cares?, he had already established a great legacy worthy of a top 10 Heavyweight. Rematching a guy that he beat (that would most likely beat him the second time around) makes no sense if he didn't have the motivation anymore. Which I don't think he did.

 

Tyson ducked Lewis earlier on - paid him step aside money - didn't you know?
As a Klit fan you will know more than me about fat, old and addicted opponents but i am sure you agree you can only fight what stands in front of you - if they come in fat it is nobodies fault but theirs - right?

Here is the way to discover if Lewis beat the best in his era (remember he turned pro in 1989 - and Lewis was the only top fighter from that era who faced a Klitschko - and it was his last fight)

Step1 ask yourself who was the best in the era
Step2 check Lewis's record and see if he beat your choice

 

Doesn't matter anyway. Lewis fought him in bad shape and tore his face off.

Hilarious that the Klit-lickers are still grasping at straws all this time, complaining about a fight that never happened and taking a victory from it. As a Lewis fan I prefer to enjoy the fight that actually did happen, and the hideous beating Lewis gave VITLAY when they were in the ring.

 

This...^

 

Thats my point - the guy was making out Lewis V Vitali 2 was the biggest issue on ESB ever - but he didn't appear to notice that it was because ESB was new then and because Lewis was involved not Vitali

 

No different than many other former world champions in my opinion. Most of them think they were the best or one of the best ever. Just a fighter mentality... I just don't know what they expect him to say: "Yea, he was better than me so I retired." ??

Just not realistic. He said what most guys would say: "Yea, I was better, and if I was in top form I would beat him again."

 

one cut would have been unlucky........

 

you make no sense