Who has the better legacy between Lennox Lewis and Joe Calzaghe ?

Agreed. Most will feel Lewis' legacy is better -- rightly or wrongly -- because of Lewis' higher profile in the most-glamorous division in the sport.

I didn't think Lewis beat Ray Mercer, and some feel Holyfield got jobbed in the second LL-EH fight. Joe doesn't have any of these kinds of fights on his ledger, including the ones with Reid and Hopkins. The judge who gave the fight to Reid (fight was in Britain) was likely a British homer and Calz took 7 of the final 8 rounds, I believe, on 2 judges' cards vs Hopkins. Calzaghe clearly won both fights, and won them handily. Final scores of Lewis vs Mercer: 96-94, 96-95, 95-95

I respect Lewis, but his best wins came against smaller guys/guys out of their prime (Holyfield, Tyson), and he was chased out of the sport by a guy he was down on the cards to (Klitschko) when the fight was stopped. He also didn't always take his training seriously.

The only advantage Lewis had over Calz as a fighter was punching power. Joe is faster, better chin, better workrate, better movement, took his training more seriously, was never stopped and never lost. There's a reason why Lewis is calling for Joe to retire now, and it's the same reason LL picks against the Klitschkos every time they fight: Calz is outshining Lennox, and Lewis' ego can't handle that.

All of the above said, Lewis was a terrific champion and ended up beating all the guys he fought. You have to give him his due, too.

 

No, but you could make a case that after the Tyson fight, he should've fought Byrd or Wlad rather than signing to fight Kirk Johnson or Vitaly.

Still, that's the only time in his career you could raise any criticism IMO, and it was only about the span of a year and just before he retired anyway.

 

I almost threw my coffee mug towards the TV when Kellerman levelled Calzaghe with Lewis. I take it as a way of ass-kissing.

Lewis' wins over Holyfield and Tyson are by far more impressive than Calzaghe's win over Hopkins and Jones.

Then you have to add guys like Vitali and Ruddock whose counterparts in Calzaghe' resume is Kessler and Lacy :shock:

Not only Lewis' opposition better, he fought some more like Golota, Mercer, Morrison, Tua, Mccall.

It is not even close.

 

Good old Max coming through again! :roll:

 

Calzaghe by FAR!!

What did Lewis ever do, except beat a stunted Mike Tyson who was about 5 stone overweight, and then get lucky against Klitschko on a cut?

Joe has ruled his division for years, and then stepped up and beat a tough Lacy and Kessler and now two of the best middleweights of all time.

 

tough one.