Lewis v Klitschko: the Cut

Even Max Kellerman, who is not a fan of the Klitschko's agrees that Lewis was very tired after the 6th.

Yes. Vitali took the fight on less than 2 weeks notice.

Yes. Lewis said he would give a re-match.

Yes, Lewis balked when the money was up.

Which part do you disagree with?

 

Absolute biased speculation and sensationalism. Lewis sole reason for breathing and walking the earth sure wasn't built around Vitali.

This match is very likely the time when Lewis simply realised enough was enough and it was time to let it all go. Father time had taken his toll on the skills and wills and his willingness to go thru gruelling camps was no longer there. Here he was struggling with a guy he would not have rated that highly and would have believed he would have beaten far easier a few short years prior.

Kudo's to Lewis, contrary to the likes of Holmes, Ali et al knowing when enough was enough and getting out of the game before some young lion forced him out of it. Money meant little to Lewis at this stage, he'd made enough for lifetimes of luxury.

You act like Vitali had some sort of god given right to a rematch yet you defend Holmes for not fighting number 1 contenders and avoiding rematches with those who gave him compelling battles like Witherspoon. At least Lewis didn't continue fighting on and skirt Vitali like Holmes did Timmy.

The simple truth of the matter is Lewis beat Vitali fairly and squarely in the ring and he was lucky not to have ended with permanent damage as it was. The man was an absolute mess and no proper fan would wish for him to fight on under those conditions.

 

JT,

Heres my beef. Lewis said multiple times he'd give the re-match, and talked trash as if he was an active fighter. Then exited stage left when the money was up. If Lewis kept his mouth shut, I would have had no issues with him retiring. But he didn't. He said I'll eat them for breakfast and lunch, yada, yada, yada...

Klitschko vs. Lewis II would have been a huge fight for boxing. As a fan I felt we missed out on a great one.

 

JT is right, and really Lewis exposed how bad Vitali really was up against a faded great. That fight was comparable to Lewis Holyfield or Tyson Holmes, and Vitali failed miserably. He was outfought by a disinterested fighter who was past his best, and to me exposed and confirmed the biggest flaw in Vitali. He cant fight.

 

Lewis was in the worst shape of his career and nearly 38 years old. Vitali had no business losing this fight if he is as good as people try to make him out to be.

Lewis didn't NEED the Vitali rematch.

 

Lewis was perhaps the best or 2nd best 38 year old I've ever seen. With a smashing performance over Rhaman in the 2nd fight, what makes you think Lewis was past it? The 2nd Rhaman fight was one of Lewis best performances.

To compare the Lewis who fought Vitali to the Tyson who fought Lewis is a joke. Tyson was washed up and had one round in him. Horrible analogy. Also, how can you say Vitali can't fight????? I might as well stop here lefthook as your not being reasonable with your comments.

There was no rematch for a reason. Vitali would have knocked Lewis out.

As it played out, Vitali proved he could take a punch, and showed guts fighting with a bad cut. He also out boxed Lewis, which is no easy task.

 

Lewis needed the re-match vs. McCall and Rhaman didn't he? Those two had the courage to offer a re-match. Lewis did not take the re-match. In fact he was angling for a shot vs. Kirk Johnson in Canada, which crumbled when Vitali Ko'd Johnson in two, then winked into the camera and told Lewis he knows he saw this fight.

 

Those two weren't in their late thirtees and overflowing with money.

Entirely different, the fact that you don't see this (or just don't choose to) astounds me.

 

I see the facts that Lewis said he'd take the re-match, talked a good game, then tucked tail when Vitali worked his way to the mandatory and was about to be stripped--leaving over $15,000,000.00 on the table. Can you see those facts?

Oh--Rhaman was overflowing with money when he took the re-match with Lewis. Don't kid yourself.

 

Incidently Lewis and Vitali are friends now, Vitali and his wife visit Lennox in his house in Jamaica, I doubt during dinner Vitali says 'I would hav von in de 7th I won de event, gimme rematch' and Lennox replies 'TKO6, *****'

 

How did I do that. I said Vitali's fight with Lewis was like a passing of the torch type fight similar to Lewis defeating Holyfield or Tyson defeating Holmes or Spinks. The new up and coming great showcasing his skills against a past their best former great. This is what I meant and where Vitali failed.

 

Whatever man. Vitali did chase Lewis into retirement a bit, not because Lewis was scared, just that his fight with Vitali showed Lennox just how far he had slipped and he knew it was time to get out. Lennox was in the worst shape of his career and nearly 38 and still won. That should tell you something.

If Lewis was 27, you would make sense, but considering that he was nearly 40 when he retired your argument is silly.

If you're telling yourself that Vitali, by making a nearly 40 year old washed up former champion and ATG retire, showed Lennox was a coward after after all he accomplished, then there's not a point even arguing against this insanity.