Lewis was trying to sue Tyson into a rematch then the WBC made Vitali the Mandatory then Lewis retired. ***** move and Lewis stole Vitali's legacy.
Some people seem to be deliberately ignoring the significant psychological side of boxing, and top level sports in general. Lewis was old and more importantly accomplished. It's silly to underestimate the effect of motivation, or lack thereof.
Lewis said he would re-match in the press a few times. He had an 18 million dollar pay day lined up. He talked smack. Then after he saw Vitali blitz though Johnson and Sanders, he opted to retire rather than lose.
Yep, to hear the Klitschko lovers crowing you'd actually think he won that first fight instead of getting his face tore up atsch Lewis TKO6, no rematch necessary.
I agree to be honest. I think that boxing at that point for Lewis (after beating Tyson) was purely about 'easy money'. I read an interview around that time that basically said when he beat Tyson, he thought (and people said to him) that was the perfect time to hang up the gloves. He know beating Tyson meant **** all in terms of legacy right then, but also said that if he had never fought Tyson, he would have heard all along that it was a huge hole in his career. Then the interview said something like "but then I looked around, and thought I could still beat everyone, so why turn down all that money?" REally, and it's a knock on Lewis, he was content to cruise and get paid for it. I really think the Rahman rematch and Tyson fights were the last time he was motivated. (He wasn't motivated for Rahman 1 at all). As for whoever said Steward hinted Lewis was on the way to losing? No, he didn't. On this sites front page a while ago a transcript of an interview was posted. He basically said after the first 2 or 3 rounds he told Lewis to stop boxing Vitaly, and start fighting him. Push through the jab as hard as he could, bang him with hips, shoulders, everything he could. Just rough him up basically. He also said after Round 6 BEFORE the fight was stopped, Lewis came back to his corner and said "I've got him now". But I guess, he sat on his stool hard so that doesn't count.....
and....? What you said was still clearly wrong. You said that Lewis never mentioned fighting Jones. That it was only Manny Steward. Clearly that was proven wrong beyond a shadow of a doubt.... regardless of that quote that means nothing in this matter.
A career high in weight, 2 weeks prep for Vitaly after getting ready for Kirk "The Whale" Johnson, winning the last 2 rounds, VK out on his feet in the last round and Lewis was starting to land his old honey punch the uppercut. Fight was a tko. Lewis historically rematches very well, but didn't need to cuz he got the win the first time. This was VK's biggest fight and he lost. Give him credit, he did well against a heavy unprepared Lewis but he still lost, so I can't see a reason to rematch. It happens all the time in boxing. Lewis' time has passed, enjoy VK while you still can and stop worrying about the one that got away.
Correct. Lewis then in conjunction I believe with his manager Ogun became - I kid you not - the promoter and manager of Sanders right before the Sanders - Vitali fight. Old warrior still tried to find a way to keep a hand on that green belt of his.
It is ok that Lewis retired, he didnt need the money, he didnt need to prove anything anymore, Vitali was too dangerous for his legacy. Lewis won the first fight fair and square, he knew he could lose to Vitali in the second fight. Vitali was unlucky for not winning the first one. Lewis ATG