Who beat better competition? Lewis or Holmes?

Both beat average competition, good names but past prime, coupled with average names.

I'd say Holmes due to Norton and Shavers

 

Lewis beat top contenders but some of them were past their prime. Holmes beat top contenders but some of them were green.

They both took care of hype jobs; Lewis took out Grant, Holmes took out Cooney. They also were famous for allowing the titles to splinter during their reign and they refused rematches in close fights (Holmes vs Witherspoon & Williams) (Lewis vs Mercer & Klitschko).

They both appeared to beat what was expected to their successors; Lewis beating Vitaly and Holmes beating Witherspoon. They both towards the end of their reign ducked other top contenders. They both had a stellar jab and good right hand. I personally think that Holmes had the better jab and Lewis had the better right hand. They also had a conservative enough style built for longevity.

But to answer the question?

Their resume's are fairly even in terms of quality of wins with Lewis having the better names.

 

I rate them side by side on my 3-4 tier, so I don’t see a whole lot between them in regards to resume.

 

Lewis beat a better version of Mercer than Holmes did but Norton and Witherspoon were better than anyone Lewis fought aside from Vitali who was beating Lewis when the fight was stopped on a cut.

 

Mercer fought more valiantly against Lewis, but Holmes beat a better version of Mercer who was coming off his career best win over the much lauded Tommy Morrison.

 

I think they are pretty close in terms of competition. Both guys are all time greats.

 

How does Norton at the tail of his career beat out Holy or Vitali? I just don't get that one. Was his win over Zanon that impressive?

 

That's exactly where I rank them. I wouldn't argue too much over their placement in either position. I do find Lennox's resume more impressive, deeper and more risky, tho. But we are really talking about guys who occupy the same strata. There is not a huge gulf here.

 

About even, most people have those two right next to each other in the top 5 or 6 of ATG HW's.

 

Mercer`s defense was worse vs Morrison, he was getting punched all over the place, Lewis`s win over Tommy was far more impressive, Mercer threw far more jabs against Lewis.

 

Norton vs Holmes was a much beter fight than Holy vs Lewis and I feel Lewis was lucky to get the win over Vitali.

 

Lewis exposed Tommy completely.

 

Just because it was a good fight does not mean that Norton was a better opponent than Holy. Gatti-Ward (take your pick) were great fights but neither was a great fighter. They were just a good combination. They danced well together.

If Lewis was lucky to get the win over Vitali, was Marciano lucky against Walcott? Clay against Liston?

 

And Morrison was just 26.