Vitali Klitschko lost to the worst version of Lennox

It should be noted that Lennox Lewis is one of the most overrated fighters ever, he beat past prime fighters and lost to non-elite fighters, and against some he struggled to win, for example against Mavrovic...

 

Up to a point, maybe - Lewis was nowhere near his best, but the fight was still competitive and Lewis as a declined fighter was still far more dangerous than most guys would've been in their primes.

Idk that I'd hold it against him that it only lasted 6 rounds, either - it's not like he quit or got thoroughly dominated... Lewis was shading it, but it was competitive and could easily have turned if it went the distance - you can't give credit for ifs and buts, but you can give some credit for being competitive, especially with someone like Lewis who was quite possibly H2H GOAT in his prime.

Prime Lewis would've destroyed any version of Vitali, of course.

 

Mavrovic gave a valiant effort. Your misinterpretation of that fight tarnishes his effort. Fact is Lewis dominated Mavrovic, it wasn't a competitive fight but Zeljko never gave up and how many men can say that they lasted 12 vs Lennox Lewis and finished with their head held high? Not many and not Vitali.

 

Not a pop at you, but I find it funny how people just shrug off Fury turning up poorly prepared and not taking opponents seriously...
But when it comes to Lewis doing the same, it's evidence of how he's overrated.

Lewis never lost a fight he took seriously, and avenged every loss - his resume is excellent and he is clearly in the conversation for H2H GOAT, IMHO

 

Up until "Mavrovic" it could as well as be a description of Mike Tyson.

 

I suppose. I don't think it counts massively against him just a little bit.

I think what counts more against Vitali was his constant injuries and the fact Wlad remained healthier and took on far more of the best fighters of the time.

 

Mostly agree, TBF.

What hurts Vitali most is his resume is thin - and with a contemporary with a much better resume, that makes it hard to favour the less proven brother.

I wouldn't give much credit, but perhaps a little - just as you'd take a little away, but not that much.

 

Original

 

Lewis was on his way out, and seemingly in poor condition.
*Vitali took the fight on short notice, and had to deal with a gruesome cut.
The fight lasted only 6 rounds.

A lot of people thought that Vitali performed admirably, and exceeded many peoples expectations.

*Edit: Joeywill down below pointed out that Vitali was already scheduled to be on the card, so forget about the short notice comment.

 

Really? Oh, my bad in that case. I either did not know it, or had forgotten that. Yea, scratch that off of my comment.

 

Lewis took McCall seriously, he was just better the night he beat him.
And Lewis arguably lost to Mercer, a fight he took very seriously.

 

Where is the TKO6 thread

 

He only lost cause of the cut, he was losing till he cut Vitali.

 

I actually thought the worst Steward era version of Lewis I saw was against Rahman 1; extremely complacent, sloppy and ill prepared. The rematch showed what he was capable of.
To the Vitali fight, I thought it was obvious Lewis was declining, And the warning signs were there going into it ... older, last minute change of opponent, achieved all he'd wanted to in his era. As a Lewis fan I remember feeling a bit edgy at the time. LL used his grit and experience to gut it out. And he won fair and square. I genuinely don't get why he isn't praised more for retiring at the right time. Yes, we didn't get a clean passing of the torch. But considering how many fighters go on too long, we should applaud those who recognise the warning signs and exit on their own terms