Lennox Lewis. Does he have some holes in his legacy?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Mendoza, Feb 17, 2015.


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  1. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

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    I would say yes, he has a few. While Bowe avoided Lewis when he had a belt, Lewis did the same later. Lewis vs Bowe would have a been a big night for boxing. A re-match of the Olympic gold medal match which was won by Lewis.

    Lewis did not face prime versions of Tyson or Holyfield, he waited until then were past their best. These fights happened years too late. Yes Lewis re-matched Holyfield, but the draw had something to do with it. But there was not re-match for Bruno, who gave Lewis a tough fight.

    Then Lewis dropped belts instead of facing Ruiz, or Byrd to fight the likes of Mike Grant.

    Lewis declined the re-match vs Klitschko. Much like Lewis vs Bowe, this would have been a big night for boxing.
    No matches were made with Morrer ( southpaw ), Sanders, or Ibeabuchi, but these men could have been selected for non-mandatories. While I'd favor Lewis in the above three matches, I also think he could easily be upset. When Lewis was upset by McCall and Rhaman, they gave him re-matches.
     
    Mendoza, Feb 17, 2015
    Mendoza, Feb 17, 2015
    #1
  2. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Yes a few, but then who doesn't?
     
    janitor, Feb 17, 2015
    janitor, Feb 17, 2015
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  3. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Tyson paid step aside money to Lennox, Lewis never avoided him. Lewis was past his prime when he beat Vitali but he still won. Why didn't Wlad fight Sanders again ? Purrity again?

    Ruiz and Bryd would have stunk the joint out against Lennox there was no public demand for either fight.
     
    mcvey, Feb 17, 2015
    mcvey, Feb 17, 2015
    #3
  4. Saad54

    Saad54 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Yes. Didn't beat any great fighters in their prime. The Ruddock win might be his best on paper. The two one punch KO lossses are a big stain, especially the one to Rachmann. Lennox was a good champion but his ATG ranking seems inflated by many.
     
    Saad54, Feb 17, 2015
    Saad54, Feb 17, 2015
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  5. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    How many champs would be favourite to beat him?:think
     
    mcvey, Feb 17, 2015
    mcvey, Feb 17, 2015
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  6. Vanboxingfan

    Vanboxingfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    They gave him rematches because it's a standard provision in the contract of all champions, damn near since boxing began.
     
    Vanboxingfan, Feb 17, 2015
    Vanboxingfan, Feb 17, 2015
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  7. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

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    The Tyson fight would have been much better in 1996, 1997, or 2000.

    Puritty faded into obscurity by the time Wlad was #1. Sanders upset Wlad in 2003. He was beaten by Vitali for his title in 2004. Sanders didn't even fight in 2005, and only fought once in 2006. Spin control over?

    I see a clear pattern for Lewis. If he won a tough fight, he did not seek a re-match! ( Bruno, Mercer and V. Klitschko ). He was down on points for Vitali and I think Bruno, and barely edged Ray Mercer, though some felt Ray Mercer won that fight.

    If Lewis had a dangerous type of fight, he waited until they were past their best ( Holyfield and Tyson ) . In addition, he never selected a dangerous non-mandatory match vs a puncher with some length and skills ( Sanders, Morrer, Bowe and Ike )

    Yet when Lewis lost, he begged for the re-match, and McCall and Rhaman were man enough to give it to him. Not sure if they had to do it right away, but they did.
     
    Mendoza, Feb 17, 2015
    Mendoza, Feb 17, 2015
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  8. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    OK

    Lewis Bowe should have happened, but it is Bowe's fault that it didn't.

    Lewis Tyson should have happened earlier, but it is Tyson's fault that it didn't.

    I would say that Lewis was more avoided than avoiding before he held the lineal title.

    In terms of his title reign, he might have been able to make better calls he and there, but history can damn you whichever way you jump.

    The fighters that the media think might have a chance against the champion, are sometimes not the ones with the best paper credentials.
     
    janitor, Feb 17, 2015
    janitor, Feb 17, 2015
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  9. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    Deciding to retire instead of rematching Vitali is no stain on his legacy at all.
    When a fighter wants to retire he should be allowed to retire. The boxing game is a serious and potentially fatal business.
    If a fighter at the top level has doubts and retires, he should be immune from criticism.

    Of course, it would be different if there was reason to believe a retirement was "fake" and just buying time or stalling tactic.
    But that doesn't apply here.
     
    Unforgiven, Feb 17, 2015
    Unforgiven, Feb 17, 2015
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  10. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    I agree.
     
    Unforgiven, Feb 17, 2015
    Unforgiven, Feb 17, 2015
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  11. Vanboxingfan

    Vanboxingfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Why can't the Klitschko fanatics understand this basic concept???

    Mendoza is simply trying to throw mud of Lewis' accomplishments because he still hasn't gotten over the Lewis - Vitali fight.
     
    Vanboxingfan, Feb 17, 2015
    Vanboxingfan, Feb 17, 2015
    #11
  12. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    It almost suggests they know how fragile Vitali's own RESUME/LEGACY is !

    :yep He's as transparent as the invisible man.
     
    Unforgiven, Feb 17, 2015
    Unforgiven, Feb 17, 2015
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  13. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Good post.
     
    Bokaj, Feb 17, 2015
    Bokaj, Feb 17, 2015
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  14. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Bowe wouldn't fight Lewis and Tyson paid him step aside money how is that Lewis's fault? You are a re****,with an agenda.

    Want to compare Lewis's best 15 wins with Vitali's?

    Lewis:
    Ruddock
    Morrison
    Tyson
    Holyfield
    Tucker
    Mercer
    Botha
    Tua
    Bruno
    Rahman
    McCall
    V Klitschko
    Grant
    Golota
    Briggs


    Vitali:
    Charr
    Peter
    Gomez
    Sanders
    Johnson
    Williams
    Johnson
    Chisora
    Adamek
    Solis
    Sosnowski
    Norris
    Hide
    Bean
    Donald


    Excuse me while I fall about laughing.:lol::rofl:D:lol:
     
    mcvey, Feb 17, 2015
    mcvey, Feb 17, 2015
    #14
  15. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    This is true about just anyone besides Schmeling, Ali, Douglas and Bowe. And in two of those cases people like to cite lack of training and focus behind the loss.

    Beating an ATG in his prime with no question marks about preparation and focus is rare indeed.
     
    Bokaj, Feb 17, 2015
    Bokaj, Feb 17, 2015
    #15
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