Is Lennox lucky that Ike Ibeabuchi wound up in prison?

I actually agree with you. In retrospect, Lennox Lewis' career looks excellent on paper. But, having watched almost every one of his fights as they happened, he was much more flawed than his record indicates. I don't think Ike was an all time great or anything, but he was durable, skilled, and hard hitting. A slightly better version of Oliver McCall. I think on the right night he would have given Lennox plenty of problems.

 

No but Ike might be. If David Tua never fought Lewis for whatever reason there would be heaps of people in here picking Tua by KO, heaps of them.

 

Nah. Lennox would have tippy tapped his way to a safe points victory.

 

I've read a lot of posts (some on this forum) about Ike. Ike was stablemates with Kirk Johnson and most observers thought Kirk dominated their sparring sessions. Ike was also supposedly dropped hard by Rahman in sparring. I know it's just sparring but the point was that he wasn't flawless. Elite offense but questionable defence and chin. Would Lennox have exposed this or some other hard hitting contender (Klitchko's, Sanders, Rahman, Joe Mesi?!). The great 'What If' of heavyweight boxing. Interesting that he was somewhat of a late bloomer as he was not a national level Nigerian amateur. His ability to handle pressure/stress has also been questioned due to weird incidents in sparring/training and personal life. An extremely gifted but also flawed fighter.

 

Lennox probably would’ve outboxed him and dropped his bombs whenever Ike was there for it. He certainly wasn’t “lucky” Ike went to prison. If anything I think Ike is lucky (as far as his reputation as a fighter) that he didn’t end up in the ring with more top guys. He was a good puncher and had a good offense, but ultimately taking out Chris Byrd and going to war with David Tua doesn’t mean you’re gonna be raking in a win against those who are truly the top dogs in the division.

 

Lennox is more lucky he got the decision against Ray Mercer

 

Without the 'illness' that cost their freedom, Mr President would have been merely a decent punching Heavyweight with a solid chin. That can get you very far in the division, but you need more to crack the 90s Heavyweight division's top 10.

So one way or the other The Lion had not too much to worry about.

 

If you put a gun to my head, I would say no.

Ike was always going to unravel sooner or later, and probably sooner.

 

His ability to handle pressure was proven vs Tua. His ability to take a punch was proven vs Tua. Its interesting to note that Ike jumped on the chance to face Byrd, yet Lewis dropped one of his belts to avoid Byrd.

Keep in mind he was put away on the rise. Lewis ego back then was as big as a problem as his chin. Ike could have very well upset him like McCall or Rahman.

 

Actually his chances would have been much better going after Evander.

Ike also needed a powerhouse promoter to get the title shots. I think he signs with DKP and goes the far easier route and fights the Holyfields and Ruiz and that ilk. Far easier path to take & the one way I can see Ike being successful. But those mentally unbalanced types don't hold onto the title long either.

 

He d have been lucky to beat Lewis imo.

 

Holy would have been in trouble at that point in time.

Aren't most of them mentally unbalanced in the 1990's? Tyson is an easy choice. Bowe went nuts and briefly tried to join the marines, Holyfield had his share of issues. Moorer has angry management trouble. Morrison was a mess outside of the ring with women, drugs and AIDS. Mercer, good luck figuring him out. Maybe Ike had an extra screw loose, but he was money hungry, and he would be focused for his title match.

King was still at his peak of power in the 1990's. His story of how he suckered Rhaman with a suitcase full of cash to sign was epic. A charming con man who to quote him " none of these bums think straight." If he had Ike, Ike's getting a title shot.