Lennox Lewis vs Muhammad Ali

I think Muhammad Ali's speed, work rate, boxing skills and durability would triumph over Lennox in a decision. Lews's size, power and other abilities may negate some of Ali's speed and boxing mastery making it a close fight, but at the end I'd still pick "the greatest" to win

 

Except those two guys had the sort of styles which were more conducive to beating Ali than a strait up boxer-puncher who did most of his work from the outside and mid range has. And if you're using those examples, then you have to assume that the same Ali who lost to Frazier and Norton and who had his career divided by three and half years of inactivity would be the very same Ali who Lewis would fight.

 

I would have to go with Ali of the Frazier 1 Foreman fight, 15 rounds I like Ali by late stop TKO or UD

 

The first thing that comes to mind would be uncommon speed. Ali had both blazing handspeed and footwork never seen for a man his size. Those are two things that he brings to the table. He also had coordination of a middleweight. These are things we still haven`t seen since Ali left the seen. Ali also brings a terrific chin and recuperative powers. You already mentioned his ring IQ and heart.

With that said I am one that would give Lennox Lewis a good shot at Ali. He brings tools to the table that Im not sure Ali would be able to overcome. The height, accuracy, power good boxing intelligence as well.

This one is much closer than Louis/Lewis. It would be a very intriguing matchup.

 

I think the difference in this fight would be speed and Ali has it over Lewis. If this fight is a boxing match in the purest sense I see Ali winning it based on his superior hand and foot speed. His reach is as long as Lewis' (or very close at least) and the difference in height isn't all that much either. If lennox is to win he has to somehow impose his greater weight and mass on Ali and try to rough him up and land enough big right hands on him but I think a few sharp right hand leads by Ali might put Lewis in a more careful mode. Holyfield was smaller than Ali and Lewis fought a careful fight against him. I always felt that Lewis was very dangerous when he knew he was better than his opponent and would let his hands fly as a result. it was a mind thing with him but against a fighter who was there to fight and mentally tough, Lewis was more cautious. Against Ali I think he would fight cautiously. Ali by decision.

 

ALI at his peak worked a whole three minutes of a round and every square inch of of a 24 foot ring canvas. Nobody was as busy. He would exhaust and make a fool of Lewis who always needed to rest part of a round.

Lewis was clever. Perhaps he could have adapted somewhat. But there was a reason Lewis worked in bursts of energy. He Could box. Was cautious -and needed to be-but could turn into George Foreman when he wanted to. But against Ali he needs more pace.

Lewis might have looked fast enough in his own day but he would struggle like Liston in Miami finding Ali with a punch. ALI is much too fast. Lewis is not keeping up with him like Frazier or Norton. Wrong pace.

 

I would go with Muhammad Ali circa 1964-74 in this one against a prime Lennox. As high as I rate Lewis,I just think that Ali would have had too much variety.

 

Ali, close 15 rd UD. he`d need 15 to pull away from Lewis ,who would be dangerous early. But, Ali,s speed, granite chin, lateral movement and all around ring savvy just make him the winner here. Can anyone see Lewis outworking and outpointing a PRIME Ali ?? Or does anyone on the PLANET see Lewis stopping Ali with THAT chin ? Ali with his razor sharp jab,keeping a safe distance and mixing in his right cross keeps a step ahead of Lewis. Plus, this is for the REAL title,meaning the true big boys do it for 15 rds !! It, a great fight,but Ali,s chin and hand/foot speed keeps him out front...

 

I just saw someone arguing Lewis has a better chin than Ali.

 

totally agree about the double standard surrounding Ali.

Lewis would of beat Ali by 12rd UD.

Ali is so over rated it makes me puke.