John Henry Lewis

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by young griffo, Mar 18, 2010.


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  1. young griffo

    young griffo Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I don't see him mentioned all that often among the elite but his record was an outstanding one 96-10-4 (60) although some sources have him at 103-9-6 (60),either way it's very impressive.

    He held the title for 4 years and whilst only defending it 5 times he had an incredible amount of non-title fights during that time.

    Add to that his quality of opposition.He beat some excellent fighters like Maxie Rosenbloom,Len Harvey,Tiger Jack Fox,Bob Olin,James J Braddock and Jock McAvoy.

    Plus he wasn't afraid to mix it with the big boys beating Heavyweights such as Elmer Ray,Johnny Risko,Al Ettore and Isidorio Gastanaga amongst quite a few others.This is something that the likes of Bob Foster couldn't do.

    He was only stopped once by the mighty Joe Louis when he was literally half blind in his final fight so I don't hold that against him whatsoever.

    I've never done a top 10 Lt Heavyweight list but I'd definately have John Henry Lewis thereabouts.

    I'm curious how you rate him as a fighter and how high you have him as an all-time Lt Heavyweight.
     
    young griffo, Mar 18, 2010
    young griffo, Mar 18, 2010
    #1
  2. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    He's one of the greatest light-heavyweights of all-time, without a doubt.

    It's remarkable that he had such a career with so many fights but was retired at 24 !
     
    Unforgiven, Mar 18, 2010
    Unforgiven, Mar 18, 2010
    #2
  3. turpinr

    turpinr Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    yes, he's one of the great light-heavies.he took 2 of britains greatest fighters, harvey and mcavoy to boxing school.
    in his one stoppage loss to the great joe louis he was more than half blind
     
    turpinr, Mar 18, 2010
    turpinr, Mar 18, 2010
    #3
  4. young griffo

    young griffo Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He averaged better than a fight a month for his entire career including 20 fights each in 1936-37.

    Absolutely amazing activity which is a testement to his fitness and durability.
     
    young griffo, Mar 18, 2010
    young griffo, Mar 18, 2010
    #4
  5. turpinr

    turpinr Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    i don't even think he was a very big light-heavy.probably could make 168 nowadays.
     
    turpinr, Mar 18, 2010
    turpinr, Mar 18, 2010
    #5
  6. PetethePrince

    PetethePrince Slick & Redheaded Full Member

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    Very underrated, and Suzie Q if here would tell us about it.
     
    PetethePrince, Mar 18, 2010
    PetethePrince, Mar 18, 2010
    #6
  7. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Eddie Futch rates this guy enormously.
     
    JohnThomas1, Mar 18, 2010
    JohnThomas1, Mar 18, 2010
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  8. burt bienstock

    burt bienstock Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    As I posted before, Ias a boy lived next door to a trainer for the truly great John Henry Lewis...I never saw him come to the house ,but I used to "spar" with his stablemates,almost nightly...Truly forgotten today, he was the equal of the Fosters, Spinks,etc...His great rival was Slapsie Maxie Rosenbloom, who Lewis fought 5 times...Lewis had to retire at the young age of 25, as he was blind in one eye..JH Lewis had 117 fights, losing only seven...Great fighter was JHL.....
     
    burt bienstock, Mar 18, 2010
    burt bienstock, Mar 18, 2010
    #8
  9. SLAKKA

    SLAKKA Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He plastered Rosenbloom in their series despite what the record book sez.
     
    SLAKKA, Mar 18, 2010
    SLAKKA, Mar 18, 2010
    #9
  10. Sister Sledge

    Sister Sledge Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Very great fighter. I would rate him one of the top 4 LH's of all time. Never get's mentioned as one of the great LH's.
     
    Sister Sledge, Mar 18, 2010
    Sister Sledge, Mar 18, 2010
    #10
    Greg Price99 likes this.
  11. young griffo

    young griffo Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I've never been able to work out why that is,maybe his loss to Louis and lack of title defenses left a lingering impression,as his record merits a much higher standing.

    I agree with your placement of him.Only Charles and Moore clearly belong above him imo and perhaps Spinks and maybe Foster (although Lewis' record against bigger men is light years ahead of Bob's)
     
    young griffo, Mar 18, 2010
    young griffo, Mar 18, 2010
    #11
  12. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    Where's the footage ? I wold really like to see this great fighter but simply have not ..
     
    he grant, Mar 19, 2010
    he grant, Mar 19, 2010
    #12
  13. Jorodz

    Jorodz watching Gatti Ward 1... Full Member

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    very good thread. i think the loss to louis may hurt him to some because that was his "biggest" fight...but as stated he was half blind (at least) and joe made it very clear he was friends with lewis and made the fight only to give him a decent payday before retiring. finishing him off so quick was a mercy.

    his record is fantastic and i have seen him rated the greatest light heavy ever. i think the top 5 ranking you mentioned is dead on, with a spot from 3-5 being justifiable (i'd have him at 4 if pressed after charles, moore, foster but before spinks)
     
    Jorodz, Mar 19, 2010
    Jorodz, Mar 19, 2010
    #13
  14. john garfield

    john garfield Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    JHL sparring:

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb8IL3flPm0&feature=related[/ame]
     
    john garfield, Mar 19, 2010
    john garfield, Mar 19, 2010
    #14
  15. burt bienstock

    burt bienstock Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Thanks for posting the film clip of John Henry Lewis sparring in the ring J.G. He vwas my first boy hood hero, as I lived next door to s trainer of JHLewis...Sorry I never got to shake his hand ..Thanks again for posting...B.B.
     
    burt bienstock, Mar 19, 2010
    burt bienstock, Mar 19, 2010
    #15
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