Why did america take so long to warm to lennox lewis

Because he was supposed to fight for Canada (Being Canadian AND British) and ditched Canada at the last second to go for England at the Olympics.

 

just glad i dont have to hear him doing commentary

my god, that man just couldnt talk

 

I cant speak for everybody but Vitali is exciting to watch given he takes risks...He actually fights and doesnt mind getting hit...Wlad takes the safety first approach in which would turn away the casual fan!

 

Honestly I was caught up in the Lennox didnt want to fight Tyson back in the day, Lewis said he wanted Evander but didnt want that fight neither, said he wanted Bowe but was busy getting knocked out by McCall etc..

When Lewis beat Rahman in the rematch, and dont get me wrong I was all for the Rock to repeat the 1st fight, I honestly had to put things in order as to why those fights didnt happen back then.

Obviously Bowes manager didnt want that fight... However regarding Tyson and Holyfield it was all bad timing, Tyson went to prison, during that time McCall knocked out Lewis, only for Bruno to take that title from McCall and bring that title to Tyson...
Holyfield lost to bowe, rematched and won, lost to Moorer then had his medical suspension, while Lewis was rematching McCall for the Vacant WBC title, Holyfield came back and fought Tyson for the WBA, then network complications were also a factor Holyfield was on Showtime Lewis on HBO, finally we got that fight in 99, however when the fight happend in 99 I didnt take all of this into consideration, I blamed Stewart for waiting on Evander to get old....
However when you look at the bigger picture it all adds up and it makes sense.... so the idea that Lennox was afraid to face them in their prime went out the window, and even though I didnt care much for his style, I didnt realize how lucky we were to have an era like that.
Since Lewis Beat Evander it was clear he was soon going to retire and we were left with these up comming heavies that quit to lesser fighters, that adopt a style of Jab jab grab, and one who just held on to you the entire night to win fights...
I was pushed to watch older heavyweight bouts because that is where you saw the action, its rare we get that in the divison today, and when we do have a potentially great fight, some how it gets ****ed up.
Lewis wasnt exactly always eye pleasing to watch, but he was like a Dr performing surgery in there he use the Jab to put you to sleep then finished you usally with that long right hand or that upper cut..
To be honest with you it took so long for me to warm up to him becuase Holyfield and Tyson were the fighters of the 90's IMO not degrading Lennox he was one as well, However he just didnt have the same ingredants That Holyfield and Mike had at that time.