Lewis reason for not giving vitali a rematch.

Vanboxingfan · Dec 4, 2010

Heavyrighthand said: ↑

Lewis sure has an ego, but deservedly so.

I don't buy his statement of being at his worst against Vitali. That discredit's the overhand rights that Vitali landed. The overhand rights that CAUSED Lewis to look uninterested. He is a pro fighter who knew a world title defense was coming up. None of that *I didn't train* bull**** holds any water, whatsover. He went through his camp and he trained. He was prepared. Lewis should pull the plug on the the bull**** excuses of being at his worst due to lack of motivation...Vitali landing so many good shots is what made Lewis come across as unmotivated. Unmotivated to get nailed, over and over, again, maybe.

But it could have went either way. Great fight and one of the most debated, and there are no excuses for either man. Vitali lost, fair and square, but the outcome begged for a more concrete resolution. One that Lewis, had he been more confident in himself, would have taken and tried to squashed all the never ending controversy about who was the better man.

Lewis won, but I think he was lacking confidence that he if he could win a much needed and warranted rematch. I think we all agree on that. The outcome was not a good resolution, and him avoiding that unfinished business is telling as to Lewis's lack of self confidence that he could beat Vitali in a rematch.
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Not going to argue to hard against this, but it is hard to say why a rematch never took place..I personally think he felt he could never really be the Lewis that he was use to being and his reflects slowed considerably, and on that basis, you may be right in saying he didn't think he could win, but since he won once and near the end was basically walking threw whatever V.K. was throwing at him, I'm certainly not going to discount that he would have won a rematch. If nothing else he has experience on his side and he new how to use all the tools he had.

But if he would have lost, then what?

Rather than go out on top he'd have gone out with a loss on his record, and obviously he didn't think the upside of beating someone he already beat was worth the risk of ending his career on a loss. But one thing for sure, V.K. is a good fighter and no easy task for anyone.

BoxingFan2010 · Dec 4, 2010

Faerun said: ↑

Excellent contribution to the thread. The fight had a positive impact on both fighters. Being involved in a classic war is something people will remember forever as this thread (7 years after the bout) proves.
Vitali was beaten by one of the best H2H HWs ever while giving Lewis (Hendo would probably state Lewis beat Vitali's ass. Whatever.) hell and went on to dominate every opponent put in front of him for the next 7 years (incl. 4 years lay off).

You should be glad this fight happened. It was one the most (if not the most) competitive high-level HW fight of the last 10 Years and uber exciting for six tremendous rounds. People need to appreciate what both fighters showed that night. Vitali must get credit for his heart (which he proved to have after the Byrd debacle), his bravery and in the later round also his chin. Lewis of course also gets credit for his chin, his adaptability and his ability to stay calm despite losing the early four rounds big. And of course for beating a man of this calibre where a blueprint to beat him is still unknown.

I could watch this fight over and over again.
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Best post in the thread

BoxingFan2010 · Dec 4, 2010

Heavyrighthand said: ↑

Lewis sure has an ego, but deservedly so.

I don't buy his statement of being at his worst against Vitali. That discredit's the overhand rights that Vitali landed. The overhand rights that CAUSED Lewis to look uninterested. He is a pro fighter who knew a world title defense was coming up. None of that *I didn't train* bull**** holds any water, whatsover. He went through his camp and he trained. He was prepared. Lewis should pull the plug on the the bull**** excuses of being at his worst due to lack of motivation...Vitali landing so many good shots is what made Lewis come across as unmotivated. Unmotivated to get nailed, over and over, again, maybe.

But it could have went either way. Great fight and one of the most debated, and there are no excuses for either man. Vitali lost, fair and square, but the outcome begged for a more concrete resolution. One that Lewis, had he been more confident in himself, would have taken and tried to squashed all the never ending controversy about who was the better man.

Lewis won, but I think he was lacking confidence that he if he could win a much needed and warranted rematch. I think we all agree on that. The outcome was not a good resolution, and him avoiding that unfinished business is telling as to Lewis's lack of self confidence that he could beat Vitali in a rematch.
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Excellent post :good

PIRA · Dec 5, 2010

bremen said: ↑

Vitali is an active HW champ though while Lewis is a failed boxing commentator.
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atsch

Fighting Weight · Dec 5, 2010

PIRA said: ↑

atsch
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Whoever posted that would **** his pants if he saw Lewis's bank account side by side with VITLAYS bank account. Who's the failure again? I'd bet Lewis has 10 times the money VITLAY has, and it's entirely deserved, because he was a real champion unlike VITLAY.

cuchulain · Dec 6, 2010

Vanboxingfan said: ↑

Not going to argue to hard against this, but it is hard to say why a rematch never took place..I personally think he felt he could never really be the Lewis that he was use to being and his reflects slowed considerably, and on that basis, you may be right in saying he didn't think he could win, but since he won once and near the end was basically walking threw whatever V.K. was throwing at him, I'm certainly not going to discount that he would have won a rematch. If nothing else he has experience on his side and he new how to use all the tools he had.

But if he would have lost, then what?

Rather than go out on top he'd have gone out with a loss on his record, and obviously he didn't think the upside of beating someone he already beat was worth the risk of ending his career on a loss. But one thing for sure, V.K. is a good fighter and no easy task for anyone.
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:deal

Retirement was the correct decision.

chriswrench · Dec 6, 2010

madballster said: ↑

I have to disagree. I think that's the most motivated Lewis we've ever seen in the ring.

If you want to see an unmotivated Lewis watch the numerous borefests he fought in the 90s. Terrible fights. At times he fell asleep in the ring, looking like he lost his passion for the sport. Compare that to the heart, wild passion, determination and chin he displayed against Vitali.

IMO his slugfest with Vitali was Lewis' best performance and best overall win of his career. He beat a future HOF heavyweight at his peak and after beating him the opponent went on to capture the HW crown.

Each and every of Lewis' previous opponents was on the decline and past their best. Vitali wasn't and Lewis beat him.

Note: I said best overall performance, not most important nor career defining.
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he was very unmotivated. He seemed to think that because Vitali was a late replacement, it would be a cakewalk as is usually the way with replacement fighters. Great fight though. probably the last great heavyweight fight and it was nearly a decade ago... truly shocking.

lufcrazy · Dec 6, 2010

i like the whole mentality of being glad it took place. it sure was a barnstormer.

so from boxing fans all over. thank you lennox and vitali for providing the best heavyweight fight since evander took on michael.

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Lewis reason for not giving vitali a rematch.

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Lewis reason for not giving vitali a rematch.

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