Who ranks higher all time Lennox Lewis or Joe Calzaghe?

Lennox's stock will rise with every decent win that Klitschko has, and if any of his other opponents are still fighting, theirs too.

Most of Calzaghe's opponents will be retired in five years time, if they aren't already.

 

I just don't buy the whole "Lewis didn't fight Bowe, Holyfield, Tyson in their prime" argument. By the time Lewis was champion, Tyson was in massive decline (post-jail Tyson was never the same), Bowe was shot after the Holyfield trilogy and Holyfield was only after Tyson. I can't see Bowe or Holyfield particularly troubling Lewis, and Tyson got beat by Buster Douglas! Tyson was the most dangerous man in the world for a few years then became a freak show. When exactly was Lewis supposed to fight any of them? When did he avoid them?

Bowe did show flashes of brilliance, but they were just that, flashes. Lewis destroyed Golota in 90s, the same guy that Bowe couldn't handle.

Lewis fought all the top contenders. His losses to McCall (unfortunate, terrible stoppage) and Rahmann (galling, totally unfit) aside, he took on the best available and beat them handily.

 

Bowe ran like a ***** from Lennox!

 

Apart from calling Lewis great (I do not think he is, indeed I think Ali and Louis are the only two greats to fight purely as Heavyweights), you could very well be right.

 

Lewis missed out on the big prime names because he lost to McCall..shame.

Lewis and Holyfield were dedicated and as a result lasted longer. So they ended up clashing in 1999...However it wasnt a win over a prime Holyfield (ala Bowe in 1992).

The factors that influenced Tysons decline are well documented...But Bowe was also a big waste of talent..his diet and poor dedication made his career dramatic and short lived.

Calzaghe gets no end of **** on here for not facing a prime Jones...But its forgotten Lewis never fought a prime Tyson, Holyfield, Bowe or even Moorer.

 

Exactly. Look at the "landmark" fights that Calzaghe has had, ie Lacy and Kessler (I really dont count his recent OAP fights), both of these are looking worse with hindsight:

Lacy has done jack all to impress since his loss to Calzaghe and Kessler seems to be ducking any competitive fights now.

I've no doubt that Calzaghe will be less regarded when people look at his career in a few years time.

 

So your not counting the OEP that just beat Wright, Tarver and Pavlik (post Calzaghe fight).

Lacy was ruined by the defeat to Joe and his shoulder injury, watch him before and after.

And as for Kessler..we'll have to wait and see..hes looking for big fights imo.

 

Fair point that I been a bit flippant in dismissing Hopkins too lightly, but Calzaghe won a marginal split decision, and Hopkins was certainly not at his best. And will Calzaghe risk a re-match??? Not in a million years!!! I mean, come on! All the great fighters have remathes / trilogys against bitter rivals. But not Calzaghe. Too scared to risk losing his precious "0".

Daring to lose and risking all is what marks out great athletes in any sport.

 

This thread appears to be a prime example of what time can do to a fighter's legacy. I have a lot of respect for Lennox as a fighter and a guy, but even the warm comfort of retirement still cannot place a pair of rose-tinted shades over Rahman and McCall's names. It is also the case that many of the opponents who Lennox is now lionized for beating are of no greater standing than the 'bums' on Calzaghes resume, whilst his biggest wins were against 'past their prime' legends similar to Calzaghe's. The Klitschko fight then threw up more questions than answers, seeing Lennox leave with unfinished business which he hopefully isn't thinking about redressing now. Calzaghe spent too many years in the relative shadows, and can now either rubber stamp a legacy or bow out with similar reservations about his worth flying around. Although as this thread demonstrates, he may have nothing to worry about as time goes by.