Lewis' legs against Vitali

Lewis thought the fight was going to be easy and he could not handle the pace. He probably thought this was going to be something along the lines of Grant II or Ruddock II. It wasn't; he couldn't deal with it.

That's nothing to be ashamed of. I can't think of any other heavyweight in history -- certainly no one of Vitali K's size -- who could keep up such a hard pace in his bouts and also not be in any real danger when going into the pocket to exchange shots (because of his chin). The only guy who ever had Vitali in any real danger -- for a very brief time -- was Sanders. And that quick moment was gone in a heartbeat as Vitali battered the South African in their fight.

Lewis won the fight the only way he could of, via the cut lottery. He had no other chance of winning the bout. I've watched the fight I don't know how many times and all you see is Lewis being put through a meat grinder in a way he can't cope with. The uppercuts late looked good, but they did little and Lennox just continued to fade. It's incredible how powerless and inept he looked as the bout continued. There is no shot he makes the final bell and there is no shot he stops Vitali. Let's be honest: He's not even going to put Vitali down in this fight for a flash knockdown.

Compare how Lewis looked in this fight at 38 or whatever to how Vitali dominated Sam Peter at the same age and with, I think, more time away from the ring between fights.

What people always forget or never understand about Vitali is how incredible his workrate is. Everyone gets caught up in his size and chin. The workrate (Vitali can throw around 70 punches per round, an amazing number for any HW and just ridiculous for his large size) is what gets you. And the accuracy. Etc, etc.

Lewis found this out the hard way. He thought he was getting the easier Klitschko; the "quitter" Klitschko. At that point in time, Vitali must have looked like an easy mark to Lewis. Corrie Sanders, under Lewis' guidance, had just taken out "tougher" brother Wlad in 2 rounds.

Lewis almost certainly believed he could do his bully act against what probably appeared as an overrated, easy-to-quit, hyped-up fraud.

Lewis got mauled in the fight. He escaped with the cut lottery win. He would never fight again, even after saying he would give Vitali a rematch and even after Lewis had plans before their bout for one or several more fights.

Lewis does get to say (at least at this point in time) that he is the only man to have faced one or both Klitschkos who has never lost to one or both of them. So you give him that, even if this distinction came with all of the caveats mentioned above. Sometimes it's better to walk away with what you have than try your luck again and end up with nothing.

No one ever said Lennox wasn't smart.

 

:dealSpot on post, which i think any reasonable and intelligent person should be able to grasp. But the reality is unfortunatley it's a bit too much to ask, especially from the Klitschko fans who i find to be the most unreasonable and over-protective about. I sometimes wonder why they find it so hard to act with reason. Is it because they doubt what they are really a fan of ?
I am personally a Lewis fan but i have massive respect for Vitali especially after that fight, even though i gotta say he acted like a fool after it. I agree with Jack that Lewis was close to shot, he looked like a shadow of himself in that fight, and i know there will be Klit fans that say Vitali made him look shot, but if you followed Lewis throughout his career then you would notice that's has shot and bad has he ever looked and as shot as any number one in the world is gonna look. Jack is totally right when he say's Lennox' legs were gone, it's the tell tale sign for any fighter that his best is behind him. I also think two fights in two years is just too inactive for a man of Lewis' age at the time, and this i feel had a part to play in him looking like an imposter that night.
All in all though like you say Lewis while looking far from vintage, showed why he was a long reigning champion and was so hard to beat, with a gutsy performance against a formidable opponent.

 

I think you'll find Holyfield was ranked the number 1 in the world when he fought Lewis. Whether just past his best or not, he is an ATG who was ranked the no1 when he fought Lewis.

 

I agree that Lewis probably thought it was gonna be an easier night than it turned out to be, but come on what the hell you talking about with the rest of your post. Everyone has opinions and see things differently i know, but what you say here about lottery tickets :huh and meatgrinders beggars belief. You know what i got nothing more to say! :tired