It seems like there is a lot of opinion over the rematch between these two guys. I wasn't around at the time, but looking back in hindsight could the frustration vented out at Lewis be that we haven't had a 'good heavyweight fight' since then, in terms the of mainstream heavyweight scene. Thoughts?
Lewis TKO6 Nah, the only people that hold a grudge against Lennox today are the Vitali nuthuggers on ESB who are in denial over both the result of the fight and Vitali's lack of a legacy. I was personally dissapointed at the time because: 1) It was very entertaining while it lasted and a sequel was much desired 2) Lewis initially appeared to be open to a rematch 3) Lewis waited until Vitali destroyed Kirk Johnson (whom Vitali subbed for to begin with) inside of two in the WBC Eliminator and was given a deadline before making his decision 4) Lewis even at 37 was very much an elite fighter and had he dropped the extra weight he carried in the first fight, he couldve just as easily KO'ed Vitali clean without a morsel of doubt as to the result. You know what, though? Lewis had nothing left to prove. He was past his best. It was only his hide and health on the line, and he had every right to hang up his gloves.
Lewis said he would offer the re-match in the press. Lewis waited and ran his mouth. He waited, perhaps hoping that Vitali would lose to Kirk Johnson. A huge purse for Lewis ( at least 15 million ) was there. The WBC ordered a rematch. It was put up or shut up time for Lewis. In the end Lewis balked, and quickly retired. The best conclusion is Lewis wasn't sure he could win the re-match. In fact, I think there was a great deal of doubt in his mind. I tend to believe Vitali would win the re-match.
£15mill was CHUMP CHANGE to Lenny, for such a Super-Fight WAR. :!: A true G, Lion Lenny still has like £180mill in teh bank, why does a measly 15mill sound like enough to you?? :? When you rake in £35mill for crucifying teh crazy corpse of Tinkerbell Tyson, it should put things into PERSPECTIVE for you m8. :thumbsup
Amen brother! It would be like floyd accepting a guaranteed 20 million for the Cotto fight. Just not worth it.
:thumbsup Or Floyd accepting Bobby Arum's shitty guaranteed purse of $50mill to fight Pac - EVEN though Money May walked away with $70mill for teh Ortiz fight!!
At the time I was disappointed the rematch didn't happen. A clash of the giants, it was hugely anticipated. But Lennox was old, he was old against Tyson and really looked his age a year later against Vitali. For the Vitali fight he was not only 37 but it was after the longest lay off of his career, where he was pretty much semi-retired. He would be 38 for any rematch. He talked about retiring as early as 2000 but hung on for paydays. He no longer had the stamina and was losing speed. He would have to train his ass off for a rematch too as Vitali would push him all the way. The Vitali rematch simply didn't generate enough money for the effort it was worth to Lennox Lennox interview, talks about the Vitali fight around 6:50 [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LFNjWLHbOk&feature=related[/ame]
Lewis would have always had a tough time in a boxing match with vitali because of his awkwardness, but Lewis would have always beat the crap out of him in a brawl. Lewis knew how to fight Vitali and was capable of doing it, he just didnt want to fight anymore but I think beating a guy in 6 rounds like he did didnt leave any questions in my mind that Lewis was always going to be the better fighter and exploit Vitali's weakness for a tough physical close quarters brawl. Lewis didnt like to fight like he did against Vitali but he could do it he just didnt want to do it anymore.
good conclusion, based on the evidence that he was torn apart in 6 rounds in the first match. for your next trick, you can prove black is white.
I think the fight just isnt worth it for Lewis. It adds nothing to his legacy beating some one for a second time. I think he believed he had nothing more to prove and would beat Vitali if he fully trained and was ready for a rematch. Had the money been higher i think he would have taken the rematch, but by higher i mean closer to 3x what was on the table.
I can understand Lewis not taking the rematch, for reasons already given. I would have also retired. But, at the same time, I will always have the feeling that Vitali hastened Lewis' exit. I don't think Lennox had the mindset to want to go through another tough fight again. He wanted a few easy paydays before hanging them up, but a rematch would have been anything but easy.
The tide seemed to shift around the 5th round when Lewis started using the uppercut. Before that, it was a punch myseriously missing and Vitali was getting the better of it. I was impressed with Vitali though; not only did he prove he was as tough as old leahter, he was outboxing Lewis, it must be said.
Well boxing in general is hardly mainstream, but there's been a few good HW fights after this. Liakhovich-Brewster is the best HW fight of this century as far as I'm concerned. Barrett-Beck was an underrated fight. Brewster-Krasniqi was pretty good. Vitali-Sanders was a fun fight. Among lower level fighters, Grano-Kauffman is a good watch.