LEWIS /FOREMAN, Different perceptions of 2 defeats whilst at their peak.

There have been boxers in worse trouble or states, who went on to see a round out.

 

Perhaps this, perhaps that... ... ... ... ... ...

Perhaps Lewis recovers, beats McCall into the ground, retains his Championship Belt, is celebrated for having done so, while Jose Guadalupe Garcia is hailed as having made a great call.

 

I think the stoppage was the correct one Lewis got up and couldn't walk in a straight line he stumbled atleast 3 times. Maybe if Lewis would've gave himself a few extra seconds to get up it could've made the difference.

But as it stands the referee see a fighter who stumbled to the side atleast 3 times and couldn't walk in a straight line properly so I think the stoppage was the correct one.

 

Like I've said already, there have been boxers in worse condition, allowed to continue, some of whom have seen a round out. It's entirely up to the ref. They have to use their discretion, but I think it showed a lack of experience on Garcia's part.

 

One of his losses was to the GOAT according to most, albeit past his best. As for Young, the feeling is that he lost his way after losing to Ali. Gil Clancy, his trainer for the fight, has gone on record about how poorly Foreman prepared. Should count against him just as much, though. A fighter's job is to be in shape.

I have Lewis clearly ahead of Foreman because of these losses.

 

Yes, I can't fault that stoppage. I probably wouldn't think it would be a horrible mistake to let him go on (depends on what would have happened next), but the ref had good reason not to.

 

I think your comment sums it up best "depends on what would have happened next"

That's the thing we don't know maybe Lewis could've recovered but he also could've been seriously hurt aswell not having his full faculties taking another few fully fledged punches.

The thing is people are saying fighters have carried on worst conditions which is true but again is that necessarily right decision aswell ? Considering how many fighters who you see at the end of their careers who are punch drunk from taking too much punishment.

The way I see it is the referee normally likes a fighter to walk towards them in a straight line to see if they have their balance and faculties about them. When Lewis got up he stumbled numerous times and couldn't actually walk in a straight line, so what is the referee supposed to do with that information when Lewis is not giving him a reason to let the fight continue ? We also can't see Lewis's face or eyes so we don't know what the referee was seeing.

But as I said based on the evidence he had I think the stoppage was a fair one.

 

This is fair.

Another time; another referee, Lewis is waved on and the fight continues, but that doesn't mean Garcia was incorrect to call the stoppage.

 

As a boxer, you're at risk of getting hit with huge punches, whether you've taken a count or not - and the type of damage you are referring to can accumulate with or without suffering the type of KD we are talking about here, so I don't think that's a particularly strong line of argument.

One could actually take that point and turn it 180, given that decisions made by refs can effect the careers and the earning power of boxers, i.e., if it's a World Title bout and it comes down to the difference between retaining or losing that title, then offering the incumbent Champion every reasonable chance to defend their title is a pretty big deal.

And, that's just looking at it from the business side of things. As fans who regularly discuss boxing legacy, imagine how different the conversations about Holmes would be today if Pearl had decided to wave the fight off and make Shavers the Heavyweight Champion in '79.

Imagine denying Archie Moore one of the greatest wins ever, based almost exclusively on his ability to hold on and recover from a first-round paneling, getting floored again mid-fight and eventually turning the tables to beat Durelle.

 

As you said earlier it's down to referee's discretion but i don't think Lewis gave the referee any positive signs that he was fit to fight or carry on. There has been controversial stoppages throughout history that us fans have debated Groves vs Froch 1 comes to mind as a bad one IMO, but in regards to Lewis vs McCall i think the stoppage was a fair one and i see nothing wrong with it based on the way Lewis got up and didn't look in a fit condition to fight at that time.

In a way it was probably the best thing to happen to Lewis he knew he needed a change and in the end he became a better fighter and got a new trainer so it worked out for the best.

 

I don't disagree greatly. My point has been that it could have been allowed to continue (unlike his Rahman I loss) and so I do not hold the McCall loss against Lewis all that much, as a result.

Combined with him having evened the score on paper and likewise having returned the favor with interest on Rahman, the impact of Lewis' losses on his ledger is lessened, in my opinion.

 

Keep grinding that axe