What would Ruiz and Byrd have added to Lewis' resume?

What would Ruiz and Byrd have added to Lewis' resume?

Let's assume that Lennox did not drop belts to Chris Byrd and John Ruiz, and actually fought and beat them in 2000-2001, before cashing out big time on Tyson in 2002. At this point in time, Byrd and Ruiz were at their peak.

Clearly, Ruiz and Byrd were much better than Mike Grant ( who Lewis dropped a belt to face ) and Frans Botha. Not facing these two, in my opinion, showed Lewis didn't want to look bad and was somewhat risk adverse to facing these somewhat unique talents of the time.

Choice 1. A significant legacy boost. You could argue that both would be top 6 wins for Lewis, and his resume would have received a large boost proving he was capable of beating a defensive southpaw with speed and a chin, and an awkward jab and clinch fighter, who beat Rahman and was 1-1-1 vs. Holyfield

Choice 2. A clear legacy boost. Enough to move Lewis up two to three spots from where you have him as these two were highly ranked Alphabet champions with their own quality wins.

Choice 3. A mild legacy boost. Good enough to move one spot up from where you have him, but not much beyond that.

Choice 4. Not much of a legacy boost at all. These two were overrated and would just be mere top ten opponents on his resume.

 

4. Ruiz was dire, and Byrd would bring no credit to Lewis's table due to his size and lack of power.

 

This is just another of his knock Lennox Lewis threads. I suppose it makes a change from Johnson, or Ali .:-(

 

I chose a mild legacy enhancement, simply because Byrd was a southpaw. Other than that, he was too undersized to give Lewis an honest challenge and Ruiz wouldn't have lasted more than a couple of rounds, and at the time, Grant was perceived to be much more of a threat, than Ruiz.

 

Byrd would, because Lewis didn't fight southpaws.

Ruiz hardly would. Lewis destroyed Botha who shared similarities.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Ruiz's time came after Grant. Grant peaked in 99-2000 first quarter. Ruiz was perceived as a joke until mid 2000 after Holy if I remember right.

 

Byrd would add more than Ruiz.

He was southpaw with wins over prime Vitali Klitschko and David Tua, and old Holyfield.

Byrd > Tua, and win over Tua added something to Lewis' resume.

And I think Lennox would've beaten Byrd as Chris was excellent skilled boxer, but small and featherfisted.

 

Grant was exposed in victory over Golota prior to facing Lewis. He was floored twice, and down on 5-7 points on the judged cards prior to Golota quitting.

The fight before that, Grant could not finish Lou Savarese a top 20-30 type at best.

I thought Grant was a garden variety big man with a soft chin and average type of skills. I knew Lennox would blow him out, which is exactly what happened.

 

What do Lewis and Byrd have in common?

 

How about high voices and no -rematches for Vitali? Let's stick to the thread title.

 

They'd be mild in terms of his clearing out his era. The names alone add nothing.

 

Dreads

 

Wins over Vitali, Tua, and old Holyfield

 

The way I knock Tyson, I'm in no position to complain I suppose.