The case for Lennox Lewis being GOAT

But the following is true:

There is an overall maximum amount of force that any human can generate.

The increments between "levels" of power change by tiny amounts in real terms at the very top of the scale (think of the % of total weight added to a bench press with progress, huge at low levels, tiny at the highest levels).

Dempsey hits harder than all other men of around 190lbs (arguably).

Lewis is a very hard hitter at 230lbs.

If all of this is true, how much difference can there be between their hardest punches? When we say Dempsey "punches above his weight", what do we mean?


I would use a similair argument concerning chin. If size is a precluding factor, why is it that Audley Harrison has such a bad chin? I would argue that the Sprott shot that dropped Harrison would not have dropped the smaller Archie Moore. Your thoughts?

 

Landing a huge conter depends upon:

Cool head, not getting hit by the punch you are countering (if you want to fire properly), not getting knocked out by the original punch, not getting countered on your counter (and remember, Dempsey isn't standing still, just over-reaching) etc.etc. But I agree that countering is the way to get Demspey and I agree that the fight - you're talking about Lewis, right? - would indeed be unlikely to see 12.

I've never disputed that - I just don't think that Lewis would neccesarily be in a hurry to push him out, that's all. Lewis is a match for Demspey on the inside in my opinion because of his superior size and great infighting skills. If he keeps pushing Dempsey back my opinion is that Dempsey will repeatedly get inside - triple jab or not - and score. Lewis wants him on the inside, smother him and bully him.

I'm assuming Lennox at 100% here. Give me the Lennox of the McCall/Rahman fiasco, or even the Bruno guy and I'll give you Lennox leaving on a stretcher.

 

But you'd agree that Moore has better punch resistance than Harrison?

 

Would any fighter at all fair better?