This is the greatest heavyweight of all time

Lewis is a great fighter but fought all the best when they were all very much passed. I would’ve like to see him peak 4 to 5 years earlier. Still like maybe 9 or 10 all time in my opinion. Brought no charisma or excitement to the sport, and I think a part of being great (like all time argument) is transcending the sport. Good and classy guy so it’s not fair, but just didn’t have very much charisma. He’s like the Spurs of boxing. He maybe was brought on too cautiously and he fought like it too, which is why he doesn’t have the mystique like the Foremans, Holyfields, etc. Holmes has a bit of this too but I don’t think as much:

 

The greatest HW wouldn't go into the sun set while his last fight down on scorecards and that guy he technically defeated became his actual mandatory 6 months after the fight.

The greatest HW also wouldn't have took 9 years to become undisputed or unify.

The top 2 guys who àttracted way more fans and generated much more revenue were Holyfield and Tyson . Lewis got around 10'000 ppl in venues in average sometimes less sometimes more in his title fights.....this is NOT the greatest Hw champion .

 

The OP is talking head to head. If one was of the opinion even an Ali would not traverse three decades or more very well you could certainly mount an argument for Lewis. He's certainly been the best of the big modern brigade. Personally i think Ali would transcend era's and i rate him top dog even H2H. I'd accept Lewis at #2 without any argument.

 

I have him at #4 and can see as high as #3. #1 really does have to be Ali or Luis.

Love Lennox though.

Now, if you are indeed talking head to head, we have no dispute, but I believe "greatness" is a function of what you achieve in your time. H2H is hypothetical and just for fun.

 

I don't think it is a sensible argument to state any boxer is," at his peak," at the age of 38.

 

Fan appeal determines greatness?=Dempsey no 1!

 

it has to be a part of the criteria..Dempsey was the first fighter to utilize actual fluid combos from top to bottom that in itself does up the advanced in technical approach . Not sure if you could call him.the greatest with a color barrier however bc he did not fight everyone then.

 

I rate Dempsey very highly H2H I think he ko's Louis,bBut I can't put him at the top.
Being fan friendly doesn't determine your standing for greatness imo.If it did ,Harold Johnson wouldn't be in the top 20 at Lhvy! Ezzard Charles wouldn't be high on the p4p list! Tunney wouldn't make the to 50 at heavyweight!Hopkins wouldn't smell the top ten at middle!

 

being considered the greatest revolves around fan perspectives more then anything bc you can't be great if the majority doesn't think you are. One has to transcend the sport and be iconic , you can't do that with stats alone that's why Lewis would not be greater then a Ali.

 

I don't rate Lewis greater than Ali,I do think that next to Ali he presents the most difficult opponent stylistically and physically for the other champions .I would place Lewis about number 6 myself.

 

Got to give you a big fat NO! Primo Carnera or Max Baer were the GOAT heavyweight champions. It's a toss up between the two.

 

I know...he forgot Max Baer

 

Aren't you forgetting about Carnera or Max Baer??

 

Schmeling was better than Rahman or McCall

 

Do you really think that head to head lil Max would take a fit and prime McCall or Rahman? That's what we are talking about here.