Lennox's chin - for once and for all

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4SQmxIP5Bk

 

I think it's doubtful that the Tyson that Lewis faced was as deadly a puncher as the younger version.

 

There have been plent ATG's knocked out cold. Look at the punch Marciano KO'd Walcott with...that would knock anyone out cold. But anyway, I think you are right with how you have it.

 

I'd rate Lewis' chin as a 7 if we're talking elite fighters, 8 or higher, if we're discussing all the heavyweights who ever fought.

 

Larry Merchant would say "...Lennox Lewis may have real some chinks in his armor, but look at all that armor...."

Lewis's chin was actually better than most make it out to be. But I don't believe for a second that it was granite. While its certainly not glass I believe its sturdy enough to allow for him to compete at an elite level. Lewis unlike most ATG fighters has a chin that can fail him however his steller fundamentals, size, stamina and power made his chin a non issue in all but two fights.

 

You're right, Tyson was not the same deadly puncher as he was in his younger days but he was, IMO, a harder single shot puncher. He was no longer throwing as many combos and by the time he fought Lewis he was relying far more on single punch power to get results.

 

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Have you read nothing that guys like Chris Pontius and others have posted?

However, Lewis did touch down against Akinwande so technically it should have been ruled a knockdown. It was impossible to tell though whether that touchdown was as a result of a punch or a combination of punch and being off balance because of Akindwande's horrible holding. In any case Lewis did not even remotely look like being stopped so I'd put it in the same category as the Hagler 'knockdown' against Roldan.

 

I actually disagree technically here. To say it's a point of weakness is far overstated and sounds like he was wobbled every time he was hit. He survived and thrived vs numerous top bombers and only hit the canvas a couple of times in his life, being up and ready to fight in one of them. The statement makes me think of guys like Shavers and similar, not Lewis. Just a minor point.

 

When I say point of weakness I mean it lost him two fights that he would not have lost with a slightly better chin.

To take an analogy Joe Louis is a fighter often criticised for his chin but it never lost him a fight. If Lewis has a chin just that little bit better then McCall and Ramhan are just enbarasing knockdowns.

 

Fair enough. It sounded like you meant going into fights and it was present all the time. You mean looking back. Sort of like Ali's lack of Foreman power was a point of weakness, as otherwise he would have beat Norton and Frazier everytime.

 

Ali with Foreman power is an utterly scary thought. He'd never have lost.

 

Well prolly not until about 1995 anyways LOL!

 

Maybe.