There are many famous "passing the torch" fights in heavyweight history, when the title of "best boxer in the world" goes from one heavyweight to the next. In almost all cases, the younger boxer succeeds at their moment of destiny. However, what about cases where the younger boxer loses? Apart from Lewis-Klitschko, where the old lion beat the young lion who was to be arguably the best heavyweight for the next 9 years, has the old lion ever won? Is Vitali unique in being someone who failed to grasp the torch and had to pick it up after Lewis retired on top?
Although no Torch on offer could you include Joe Louis getting a reality check from Max Schemling ? Joe was starting to Collect a few former Torch bearers on his record, Carnera and Bear, and was looking a sure thing for Torch'Hood, of course he went on to more that forfill the early promise.
The example given is the perfect one for the hw division; lewis on his way down, vitali on his way up. Wasn't sanders older than vitali as well btw?
To an extent: Moore-Harold Johnson Hopkins-Trinidad/Pavlik/Taylor/Pascal Moorer-Foreman Robinson-Fullmer/Basilio Calzaghe-Kessler Greb-Walker/Flowers/Loughran/Tunney Marquez-Diaz Whitaker-Delahoya/Hurtado Most of those weren't dominant new champions and Greb wasnt that old though Weren't they the same age? I see the point. Holmes was near his prime against Cooney :|:|:|:| Lennox Lewis TKO6 Vitali Klitschko
Vitali was never ever the man for the next 9 years after Lewis TKOed him. Not even arguably. Monzon-Valdez is the most obvious one. Britton-Walker is up there too.
The first is a good example. Cooney was never "the man", so the second example is not a good example.
Dempsey vs Sharkey. As far as heavyweights go, I think only Dempsey (Sharkey), Joe Louis (Walcott) and Lennox Lewis (Vitali Klitschko) have had the honor to defeat prime versions of the future heavyweight champion. Quite an accomplishment.