Moment of honesty: Yes. Absolutely. Lennox won, means he won. But was that a fight that a Great Boxer wants to end his legacy with? Lennox gets haunted by that fight. (Emmanuel Steward himself said it) And about him retiring, he mentioned retiring, but not three weeks after his fight. He said soon. That was bit too soon considering a fight about which he answered "Cause he never has before" when asked "Why he thought he couldnt take a punch" It was an exiting fight, Lennox dissed us the whole boxing community by quiting on a fight that so many people wanted to see again. 14 years of professional boxing, and he couldn't wait 6 more months. Klitschko v Lewis II was in the works almost right next day, its not like Lennox had to fight some other scrap like Kirk who Vitali annihilated in 2nd round. He could've waited and tooken something like 15 million dollars and gave ppl what they wanted. But he didnt and he gets haunted by that fighted. A great hero leaving boxing with a tail hanging in between his feet.
One doesn't have to read this, and can skip it: This is topic on cultural values from Ukraine about keeping a promise. Where I am from, and the Klitschko brothers, failing to keep a promise is a huge disrespect. My dad hurt his back once and failing to keep a promise of helping someone till this day he remembers and says I should've been a man, and lifted myself up and done it. But not just Ukrainians. Much of the Soviet upbringing (especially like those of the Klitschko who's father was a military leader in the Soviet army) was very strict on this type of cultural value. One must answer for his words. In fact many fights between kids on the school yard or whatever, from where I am from is due because someone said something and now has to answer for his words. One learns not to say something he doesnt mean. This is why many (and Im talking about the ones who actually are culturally Slavic, many arent) like Povetkin, klitschkos, and even Emilianenko (from UFC I think he is) talked so little, and when they say something its almost never a joke or something they didnt mean. American literature taught in schools then and now, was Hemingway. When one of his characters spends 24 hours arm wrestling but refusing to give up. If he is weaker then fine, but he will not give up. Jack London, where many of his characters are what I see the Klitschko brothers as. I wouldnt be surprised if he was one of their father writers. Jack London has a story about a man who promised to make a silly little delivery, got there too late and then made a trip through a huge part of Canadian arctic, walking in to make the delivery in some snowy shed at about his death. Keep your word is a religion. It is so to Vitali, and to the Ukrainian community. This is why it is so hard to understand how can one say that he will and not pull up on it when millions are watching, I will never understand. Someone said it was done to quiet ecstatic Vitali. Is that how a legendary boxer like Lennox quiets another man?
Vitali was lucky Lewis retired after their fight. He may have been slightly up on the scorecards at the time of the stoppage, but he was all done. Perhaps people forget that this was scheduled for 12 rounds, not 6. What do people honestly think would've happened in a rematch? Exactly the same thing, only quicker. Vitali's skin would not be any tougher, and if you want to know how Lewis performs in rematches, just ask Rahman. Vitali fans need to let the Lewis fight/rematch thing go. Perhaps it would not be debated so much if Vitali had achieved more in his career.
I agree with you 100% Lewis owe's Vitali nothing - he got his chance didnt he. Lewis doesnt owe the boxing community (as the author of this thread puts it) nothing. He put nearly 20 years of his life into the sport and had fans against him for nearly the whole period he fought. Just because the Klit nuthuggers still cant except that there boy got beat FAIR and SQUARE doesnt mean that Lewis should jeaopordise his health to appease them. Vitali still had his chance once Lewis rightly retired with his health, integrity and respect intact. Klit fans need to realise that Vitali didnt have the skills nor body to carry on where Lewis left. Another thing that is really boring is the "he was behind on the cards" crap - since when were Championship fights fought over 6 rounds? If he was stopped in the 11th or 12th round and was winning a landslide decision then they could complain but for ****s sake in was the 6th round and he was going to get KO'd soon anyway :good At the end of the day - LEWIS TKO 6 VITALI
Not according to Emannuel Steward who two months ago said that Vitali had a very good chance of winning that fight had the doctor not stopped it. so stop showing of with big letters. Just cause your font is bigger usually means you know you wrong and you angry
Well. you are aware Lewis offered Vitlai the fight on less than 2 weeks notice, and Vitali was training for a 10 round fight then on the same card. Advantage for Lewis. Vitali was also suing Lewis, who signed a cotnract with his compnay Lion Promotions to meet Kiltschko. This is why Lewis, who needed a sub for Johnson gave Vitlai a title shot. The fight itself was a classic. Vitali was up 4-2 on all three cards. This means Lewis needs to win 4 of the next 6 rounds on at least TWO card to get a draw. Both fighters were rocked. Lewis looked tired at the end of the 6th. Vitlai had a bad cut, but he could see out of the eye. No one knows what happens in the 7th. What is known is the Lewis said he would give the re-match on air and in the press. Everyone was talking about it. The money was there. This was a mega fight. Lewis knew deep down that he would not be as lucky the next time around, ran his mouth for 8 months or so as Vitali kept telling the press he was ready for the re-match. Then Lewis quietly retired.
vitali was out on his feet in the 6th rd, he staggered across the ring at the end oly staying up by grabbing onto Lewis`s waist, he came up in the corner and kind of looked around as if he was wondering where he was, he didnt defend himself or throw a punch as Lewis hit him with uppercuts at the bell.
Lewis and Emmanuel were doing a q and a before the maywather fight, Lewis said he was getting a second wind and would have knocked vitali out in the next round, Emmanuel agreed then said thats why he wanted to see the rematch to show people what would have happened.
Lewis NEVER made a promise, thats where your argument fails. Vitali seemed to use he word "Promise" in his mixed up english translation afterwards but that isnt the correct word. Vitli didnt act gentlemanly in the ring afterwards and wher eI come from acting like a ***** when you lose and pushing and punching your opponent is ungentlemanly.
your not making any sense? honour? he made Vitalis face look like he was beaten with baseball bats. He lost stop crying this was years ago. Lennox did his part for the division and owed no one......
The only people debating or bringing this up are Vitali Nuthuggers who still cant accept that there man got beat and had a face like chopped pork. Obviously Lewis fans are going to defend him. I was a not a fan of either of them but i know who won the fight.
Just so you know, i was not a fan of Lewis and i prefered watching Tyson and Holyfield fights rather than Lewis. I dont give a **** what anyone says, the fact remains that Lewis won the fight fairly and Vitali acted like a ***** afterwards. Im not angry, i think you will find that the people who have anger issues regarding this fight are the Klit nuthuggers who constantly make threads about this fight, where they will make up excuse after excuse about how there man was robbed which is complete bull****. Lewis TKO6 Vitali