Though I agree he is an ATG and no its not his fault that these guys didnt want to fight him, the fact remains, he did not beat but two world champions that would be Holyfield during the unification bout and Rahman. However the WBC somehow simply gave Lewis the title rather then him having to fight for it, after Bowe dumped the belt. No way does this knock what he has done he has fought and beat the best, but when given a title you cant exactly say that he won it, there for he did not win the title three times he won it twice, it was given to him once. :deal
I love what Merchant says just before the KO. Why Merchant is the best. Rahman did stick his hands out alright
Pretty amazing that you are such a bad mother that you make a grown man throw away one of the most prestigious titles in all of sports rather than get anywhere near you...:deal
Lewis' power, size and record makes him an ATG. Also, it didn't hurt having the trainer of champions in his corner.
yes he is two time champion! he won title beating Shannon Briggs and second time against Rahaman! (that is linear title)
And even without the trainer he was damn formidable. His size and power was not always necessarily utilised in a manner that would imply just how much he overshadowed his fellow competitors. Watching him blitz Botha and Grant in 2 was a display of what he could do when perked to his savage best :!:. Let's face it, he was ducked by dudes who never ducked anyone. He was almost certainly the dangerman in his division throughout the 90's. This is definately 1 HW champion that was worth the buzz. I kind of miss those days :| .
Nobody disputes that, and that doesnt change his status as an ATG I think people know the politics of this sport, but the fact is he never beat three world champions to win those titles. you cant deny that.
BTW Holyfield was only two time champion too! He won title from Douglas and then from Bowe in rematch! I don't count paper belts I only count linear titles! Ali was tree time champion he won it from Liston lost to Frazier then won from Foreman and latter in rematch against Spinks! Holmes became champion after beating Ali!
Actually Tyson was considered the champ even though he was stripped by avoiding a mandotory he was still the champ, if you want to spin it that way we can then in turn say Lewis ducked Ruiz and Holyfield won his third title there, but we all know the reality of that.
Dude he won the WBC title three times. i.e. he fought three guys who were the WBC world champion. Thus........ and stick with me here, this is where it gets complicated, he won all three times and thus was crowned WBC world champion 3 times. So he is a 3 time world heavyweight champion. If you have problems with numbers there are government schemes used to get adults with problems with numerousy more confident and able to participate in society, the work place and on ESB.
More bull****. The WBC had a 4 man tournament that consisted of the champ and the next 3 highest rated contenders. Lewis beat the **** out of Rudduck and all of a sudden, Bowe didn't want to hold up his part of the deal. No way in hell could the WBC get away with making Lewis fight another fight for the belt when he just beat on of the highest rated fighters. Lewis beat a top 3 rated challenger, was promised a shot at the title, then Bower bitched out. He's a 3 time champ. He was able to beat to two HW champs without even fighting them.
Well thats how the WBC saw it. Bowe popped his farter and vacated rather than fight Lennox. Thus the WBC awarded him the belt bowe knew he would lose should he have fought Lennox. Thats the first guy.