Well naming someone on an alltime list made by americans is no proof that boxers of the past can beat boxers of today. Still you fail to explain why boxers of 60 years ago was better than today boxers, most of the fighters who fought at that time wasnt more than CW. Would the best football or soccer team 60 years ago beat a team of today ? :-D
Top 10 Heavyweights? Boxing Historian Bert Sugar along with ESPN released a DVD with Sugar's top 10 heavyweights. He listed his top 10 as such: 1. Joe Louis 2. Muhammad Ali 3. Jack Dempsey 4. Jack Johnson 5. Gene Tunney 6. Rocky Marciano 7. Ezzard Charles 8. George Foreman 9. Joe Frazier 10. Larry Holmes
I wrote recently in at least partial defence of the brothers Klitschko. Excusing some of their benevolent matchmaking as the inevitable by-product of their misfortune of being resident in arguably the weakest era in living memory.
Why is it some people dont understand, that boxing and its atletes like in eny other sport improve during time. Joe Luis was great but he wouldt last long against Lennox or the Klitschko´s, But Louis is still a great fighter. same goes with other champions of the past.
@knockup100 Joe Louis would literally destroy Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko = SPONGE CAKE CHINS
He would break down Vitali also to a pts win. MOST experts rate Joe Louis as the greatest ever on ALL of the rankings. Lewis gets put to sleep by bums so that statement is absurd.
Lewis and the Klitschko's both fought in a dead division
@JoeCalzagheTheCoward No you are the one that saying absurd things, what experts are you talking about ? Joe louis was small, considered boxers of today, and it is a common fact that all athletes improve during time, so before you go on about Joe Louis would beat today´s boxers, please come up with some unequivocal evidence to your claim. Do you think Louis would beat the Klitchkos because Louis beat the like of Max Bear ?? thats lame.
In 1998, Ring selected Holyfield third best Heavyweight of all time behind only Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis. In 2002, Ring selected him the 22nd best fighter of the last 80 years, up from number 44 on a pre-Tyson win 1996 list of best fighters of the last 50 years.
JOE LOUIS = MURDERS Michael Grant 6"8-255-260lbs = BUM
JOE LOUIS = MURDERS Lennox SPONGE CAKE CHIN Lewis 6"5-240-250lbs = BUM
@knockup100 RING Magazine's Top-50 All-Time Heavyweights Dec 26 2005, 05:36 PM 1. Muhammad Ali 2. Joe Louis 3. Evander Holyfield 4. George Foreman 5. Larry Holmes 6. Rocky Marciano 7. Sonny Liston 8. Joe Frazier 9. Jack Johnson 10. Jack Dempsey 11. Ezzard Charles 12. James J. Jeffries 13. Jersey Joe Walcott 14. Mike Tyson
Oliver McCall - Oliver was 29 years old and stopped Lennox easily in the 2nd round. Later in 1996 he fell into Crack Cocaine-Alcohol Problems. He had 3 drug related arrests and was under house arrest / drug rehab since December 15th 1996. Coward Lennox Lewis decided it was now "safe" to face Oliver McCall who would surely have knocked him out easily again if he was not in the throes of drug addiction
Mike Tyson - June 2002- This is Lennox's biggest con. Tyson, destroyed by British club-fighters Danny Williams and Kevin McBride more decisively than Lennox Lewis who took 8 rounds to literally push an exhausted overweight 235lbs Mike Tyson to the canvas. This is not surprising, he'd boxed just 18 rounds in 6 yrs and was pictured 03/2002 in the National Enquirer smoking marijuana with hippies in Hawaii
Hasim Rahman - A fighter who didn't even take up boxing until the age of 20, making his pro debut at 22 in 1994 a guy with no punch resistance, not just been ko'd, but out of the ring in 1999 by Oleg Maskaev. Lennox got ko'd in 5
Hasim Rahman 2 - Lennox won in 4 in a 2001 rematch, so poor was Hasim Rahman that he didn't win another fight until a 2004 U/D "HBO Ballroom Boxing" match with 41yo Al Cole
Evander Holyfield - Lennox cleverly waited until Holyfield was 37 years old to finally muster up the courage to fight him. Holyfield had already once retired with a congenital heart defect and looked a shadow of his late 90's-Early 90's prime. After Holyfield winning a controversial decision against Vaughn Bean in 1998, Lennox Lewis realised this was the "perfect moment" to face Evander Holyfield
Author:Dillon, JohnPublication: The Mirror (London, England)Date: Sep 25, 1998
LENNOX Lewis was reminded here last night of the harsh truth that he has waded to the top of the world through a pile of washed up drunks and junkies. “Lionel Butler was on drugs, Oliver McCall was in and out of rehabilitation with drug and booze problems and Tommy Morrison went on drinking binges before the fight,” said Steward.
TYSON'S LAUGHING!; It's a night on the boos for Lennox.
Sunday Mirror (London, England)
Date: May 12, 1996
The result brings a scathing attack from Jay Larkin, senior vice-president of Showtime TV sport. He alleges Lennox has no genuine intention of facing Tyson.
"Lewis is welcome in a ring with Tyson on July 13 and we will pay him 10 million dollars - the biggest purse of his life.
"Lewis and his people have refused.
LENNOX LEWIS = COWARD-WAITED UNTIL 2002 WHEN TYSON WASHED UP
Good point - I think that the reason Tyson was washed up was the drugs and lack of focus after being released from prison, which is not Lewis's fault. Tyson was still a formidable foe in 2002 though.
For me Prime Lewis (31 - 36) v Prime Tyson (19 - 22) would equal Lewis beating Tyson like how Lewis beat Evander Holyfield in 1999 (i.e. on points by a margin of 4 or 5 rounds).
Lennox aged 27 to 30 would beat prime Tyson, as long as he was focused (unlike against Oliver Mccall)
Lennox was not focused against Mccall because he started to beleive he was invincible. In September 1994 (when he lost) Lewis hadn't lost a fight as a professional or an amateur for 10 years (the last one being a controversial loss to Tyrell Biggs in the 1984 Olympics). He was Olympic champion, British, Commonwealth & European Champion and WBC world champion for 2 years with excellent victories over Ruddock, Tucker, Phil Jackson and Frank Bruno.
@rpt663 neither would have holyfield brother not by this bum. Holy was first tyson second lewis third Lewis fought the first two when they were washed up.at the end of their careers As far as this fight will the real lennox lewis please stand up. Oh that is right he cant he just got his ass knocked out. no chin lewis just like the mcCall fight.
people are idiots for thinking tyson was better than lewis. almost all fighters who fought them both were ko'ed by lewis quicker. ruddock went 12 rounds with tyson but only 1.5 with lewis. golota didn't get past round 1 with lewis but got to rd 3 with tyson. botha got knocked out in 2 by lewis and in 5 by tyson. only bruno lasted longer with lewis. also lewis knocked down tony tucker twice but tyson didn't get him down at all. tyson is great but not better than lewis
I still think that had they both fought in ther primes (lets not forget Lewis was even older than Tyson at 38) Lewis still wouldve beat him. While neither guy fought the calibre of competition that was around in the 70's, Lewis still beat the more credible opposition and was ducked by both Bowe and Tyson. I think Tyson would give him trouble early on but once lewis got his jab goin Tyson would struggle to get inside due to the sheer size of Lennox and he'd get fatigued and finished late on
@wildthing1717 tyson fought tall people all his life, he never had problems getting inside. lewis was a boring one paced fighter he would not have been able to take the pressure of a prime tyson
@boxer19851 oh bullshit. This "Tyson prime" garbage is just that. Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield were always better boxers. I even think a 42 yr old George Foreman would have ko'd Tyson at anytime. Tyson preyed on meatballs who were scared of him. Skilled boxers with good chins could take him out and did.
i dunno man, tyson never really fought anyone with the amatuer pedigree of lewis or technical ability; i agree that lewis had some fights where he relied heavily on his jab but you cant ignore some of his early ko's. even the 2 losses were from taking his opponents lightly. If he fought a prime tyson he'd have realised the seriousness and raised it to top level, tyson had a history of struggling when opponents fought back because they weren't scared of his rep.
@rpt663 Tyson never beat anyone, he was a hype job that shit himself when ever anyone stood up to him, if tyson was great he would of beat Holyfeild (dont whinge about headbutts) Buster Douglas (oo don king was distracting him or some shit) he would of beat lennox (out of his prime, moan moan) No one has more excuses than a tyson fan, Tysons only decent win was over larry holmes who was so out of shape for that fight, Tyson was a hype job you just been blinded by the hype, Name the great he beat
you are whats known as a moron, tyson was a machine in his youth we never got to see what he could do he was gone by the age of 23 do you get that hewas gone by 23! he was still a kid. never had it mentally thats why we missed out on a legend..man had one of the greatest punches in boxing amazing hand speed in both hands very hard to hit and you call him hype lot of experts got fooled by the hype,you go ahead and educate the world.
@jasscaff Eddie Futch said he wouldnt of been able to hang with any of the greats as well (Futch predictated that buster would KO Him) id say tyson was in the top 20, he was a machine but he got beat by a journeyman in his prime and never beat a great fighter, he just looked impressive at beating the people he did beat.
@SamTheManWhoCanTwice prob no witht some of the all time greats foreman would have ko,d him no swarming fighter could live wioth him ali would break him mentally easily,lewis is tough to call big reach and strong but weak chin if tyson got one big one goodnight, frazier took too long to get smokin and tyson came out early like a tornado listons reach and power would have beaten tyson plus tyson would have feared him marciano was not as strong fast or technical so loss there.
@SamTheManWhoCanTwice louis would have taken him apart in late rounds,jack jonson and dempsey both beaten by tyson dempsey was too light to absorb the punches and jonson not sophisticated enough a swarmer....tyson is an all time great and he never reached his prime in either boxing strategy and prob not physically and he simply did not have the mental stability...
I find it funny how people believe Lennox Lewis was better then Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson. What really helped Lewis was his size and both Holyfield and Tyson were NEVER knocked out like this. Holyfield was never KO'd (his two TKO's came once by hepatitis and an injury, both flukes) and it took Tyson a million punches to get Ko'd (ex. Buster Douglas fight). One good punch from Rahman clocked Lewis, both prime Holyfield and Tyson would destroy him.
Lewis's achilles heel has been his glass jaw all along. Even a drugged-up Oliver McCall clocked him for the fastest knockout in professional boxing. HA!!
Lennox is nothing but a coward. Sure he was a good boxer. But he knew that Vitali would kill him in a rematch that´s the reason why he refused to fight him a second time he knew he got lucky with that cut above the eye the first time around. Remember Vitali was ahead on points when it happened. Lennox knows deep down he would have lost the fight although he would never ever admit it.
@DeadPeopleAreBoring lol listen to your list! NOW..... did he beat Bowe? No... Lewis? "HELL NO".... Holyfield? Nope.... Moorer? Nope... The point is this....YOU CAN'T JUDGE BAISED ON POTENTIAL!!!!!!!! He did not beat ANY of his peers! weather you say they ducked or he was old or what ever..... He Ither never fought them or he lost! PERIOD!
@rpt663 who's fault is it Tyson got weak! They started around the same time! As Sparring partners! And you forget before Jail he NEVER beat ONE Mega star and didnt after! not to mention not only got KOed before Jail... but Dominated! So it wasn't a lucky shot! MIKE TYSON is the most OVERATED fighter of all time! Never beat anyone!
@minstrel34 Jesus he was only 23, fights would have came he demolished opponents to the point they were scared to get into the ring with him that comes from hype? He may not have been the greatest fighter of all time but not his fault. i mean there are great fighters from other eras didn't have much to fight but don't get into thisa nd get called overrated there weren't the opponents of other eras... who did marciano fight? who did louis fight?
@MIKESOWELL Lol I can't believe you even responded with that! For him to be your pic... proves my point!.... How bout Bowe? Nope, Lewis? Nope, Holyfield? Nope, even OLD Foreman? Nope, moorer? Nope. Out of ALL the good heavyweights through out his career he beat NOT ONE TOP GUY!!!!!!! weather they didn't fight or they ducked.... what ever the case, you can't judge a career on potential! There's No Way he was better then Lewis... No Way!
@minstrel34 First of all, I never said that Tyson was better than Lewis. You asked what star did Tyson beat in his prime. I said Michael Spinks. Some people saw Spinks as the real champion instead of Tyson. Tyson demolished him.
@rpt663 ye your right tyson had a better chin but lewis was much more confident tyson ducked lewis thats a fact lewis never ducked no1 but i do agree prime for prime tyson wins but after the 80s tyson was to scared of big lennox
@rpt663 Lewis was nearly 40 yrs old when he retired when he fought Vitali he weighed in at a career high weight the only reason people hate Lewis is because his record reds better than Tysons get over it Tyson is my favourite in his PRIME boxing had never seen anything like it hasn't since but for fucks sake remember Tyson for what he was not what he could have been,Lewis is also a LEGEND his record and dominance over a DECADE speaks for itself
@MrConnolly25 -Lewis was 37 and he was only a few lbs over his best fighting weight when he fought Vitali,if he knew that all he had to do was get in better shape to beat Vitali more decisively I believe he would've done so.Lennox was convinced b4 the fight that Vitali lacked heart and that he would crumble after feeling his power and pressure, but he couldn't have been more wrong.Truth is he was fortunate to get away with that win,and smart enough to get out of boxing on top.
@jimmah1967 he had NEVER weighed in as heavy as he did against Vitali that says a lot.Watch the 6th round Vitali was clearly hanging on Lewis was beginning to get to him.People dont like it because Vitali started well but it was never 1 sided as people seem to think.Vitali missed the 'boat' he could'nt finish of an out of shape tired Lewis.
@jimmah1967 Lewis was at least pound pounds overweight for the Klitschko bout. That may not sound like much, but for as brutal an athletic competition as boxing is that is a lot. Also, Lewis was getting up there, and had been through wars. True though, Lewis didn't take Vitali as seriously as he should have.
@rpt663 A 24 year old Tyson lost to Buster Doughlas. Tysons chin is proberly better than Lewis, but there are numerous ways to define a great boxer than just a good chin. Being at the top of the game for a long time also speaks for quality.
No disrespect to Rahman, but Lewis got him back. Lewis got everyone back.
But Lennox? Goddammit, Vitali deserved the rematch. Why did you do that? If it meant you lost and then retired, then you lost and then retired. Tyson lost and then retired. Roy Jones lost and then retired. Didn't hurt their legacies nearly as much as DUCKING THE FIGHT would have!!!!
Lewis is one of my favorite boxers, but the refusal to give Vitali a rematch smelled a lot like something Gayweather Jr. would do. Ewwwww.
@afterapplepicking not telling aobut his sad performance against Vitali when he said he would give him a 2nd chance and retired after that coz he knew Vitali would woup his ass in a rematch
@afterapplepicking Lewis was a 39 yr old man when he retired,when he fought Vitali he was 38 he was already past his best he also fought Vitali weighing in at a career high 256 lbs if you cant understand what im getting at you should read Lewis's record.In his prime he beat every1 put in front of him,when he lost he avenged the loss ie Rahman,McCall.Vitali prime v Lewis prime is a no brainer as after the actual fight they had Vitali required over 60 stitches.39 yr old men dont duck they retire.
@MrConnolly25 -i still believe Vitali deserved a rematch..it was a great fight and a rematch would only have been better.That nasty cut Vitali recieved was from a glancing shot and it changed the compexion of the fight..It's a pity Lewis was at the end of his career when this fight happened as we missed out on what would've been a barnburner of a rematch.Both men would've been different fighters for the rematch and given Lewis' age, the outcome would've been up for grabs
@jimmah1967 On the stength of the actual fight a rematch would have been imo a mid round K.O. victory for Lewis,for a start Lewis would have trained properly as he was clearly unfit on the other hand Vitali admitted to being in the best shape of his career.Lewis also always performed better in rematches and more importantly Vitali's 'style' is so mechanical a fit Lewis would pepper him with the jab and the uppercut or a big over hand right would be goodnight.Course this is only my opinion
@hallokity123 True, but Roy Jones is so washed up right now he might as well be retired. His current self is a sorry substitute for what he used to be in the 90's.
@afterapplepicking yeah sure, but you can say the same about holyfield. but saying he's retired is absolutely rediculous. yeah he should but he isn't..
@Badin10tions No, I didn't. Can you read? I said "Vitali deserved the rematch" and then I said "If it (the rematch) against Vitali meant you (Lennox Lewis) lost and then retired..."
If Lennox had given Vitali the rematch he may have lost, you see.
It's called comprehension. I know it's hard. Take tylenol for any headaches. Midol for any cramps.
@afterapplepicking if you watch that vitali fight vitali gets the better of lewis emanuel says you gotta go out there and be agressive then bang lewis comes out lands a big right then theres a cut lewis won that fight because he dug deep there was no illegal punch so no need for a rematch if your thinking of retiring
@afterapplepicking If I remember then Lewis was 38 years of age when they had the first bout and Lennox seemed to have struggled to get himself fighting fit (it had been a year since he fought Tyson). Tyson continued to fight (and lose) because he needed cash. Roy continues to fight because he still believes that he is a great fighter (which he sadly isn't). If Roy'd retired after the Ruiz fight then people would have said he was one of the greatest to ever live.
I disagree - Lewis beat Vitali fair and square when they fought, and Lennox was in the very worst physical condition of his career.. Vitali needed 60 stitches in his face following it, and couldn't fight for 6 months.
An immediate re-match with Lennox was therefore out of the question anyway because the surgeon said Vitali needed 6 months to heal , the WBC order an eliminator (he fought Johnson in Dec 2003), so by the time of a re-match Lennox would have been nearly 40!!
@opera123able Well put. How often does his age, longevity, and era receive consideration? It's a boxing travesty the media and the boxing community continue to disrespect Lewis's career by not acknowledging him as a Great of ANY era. There isn't a doubt in my mind this is based on his demeanor, the "hope of Tyson" that wasn't, and being an undisputed British champ... all biases not based on boxing. (I'm American) If Lewis knew how Vitali's career would play out, I can't see him passing it up.
I'm not sure I agree with you about Lennox not passing up Vitali. Lennox was offered the chance to come out of retirement to fight either Klitschko, and he passed it up because he is fully satisfied with how his career ended. - Vitali's biggest achievement by far and the basis for his whole reputation was the fact that he boxed quite well against Lennox for 6 rounds - despite Lennox being in the worst shape of his career and still ripping up Vitali's face.
@opera123able Lennox met w/ Vitali personally post fight '04 and according to Vitali, his mother likely had to do w/ his decision to pass. In a fairly recent interview, Lennox stated that at the time of his retirement the last piece to his legacy was Tyson or the NAME would elude him indefinitely. As time has passed, it's Tyson's boxing ability and competition that has received scrutiny while fans dispute Lennox's resume missing Bowe and the Klitschko saga. He also said he's still compelled
What are you on about?? Lennox TKO'd Chicken Bowe in 2 rounds to take Olympic gold, and he TKO'd Vitali in 6 rounds to retain his undisputed heavyweight championship crown.
He didn't fight Wladamir because Wladamir was busy getting knocked out by Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster, whilst Lennox was ruling the hearvyweight boxing world.
@opera123able Lennox is a joy to watch and as I stated previously, I personally feel he could contend in ANY era. But he's not considered a top 5 heavyweight by any boxing authority worldwide and is constantly snubbed. All I was mentioning was that Lennox at the time felt he had done "enough" for his legacy not knowing that a defining win over Vitali (which he could've done) would lessen the bias. Whether you like it or not. Vitali at 40, schooling boys half his age gives him credibility.
I dont think Vitali is schooling many 20 year olds
If you think Vitali beating an ancient Shannon Briggs and other fat bums (i.e. Samuel Peter), has beens, non-entities and B class opponants like Chris Arreola in painfully boring and unmemorable fights gives him credibility to the extent that Lennox should have delayed his much deserved and very timely/sensible retirement, then you and I have very different perspectives.
Vitali best contribution to boxing was the fight he lost.
@opera123able You must not be an athlete or 40 years old. This is still the professional level and father time is never taken for granted by athletes. Arguably, their competition has been about as competitive if not more than anyone on Tyson's list DURING his prime. And if they continue to win as they age, historians will notice. Vitali was on his way to beating a gold medalist in Solis; and Adamek is no bum.. They're openly described as boring but effective - ask David Haye or Ruslan Chagaev.
You have failed to mention that Vitali Klitshko had a nice long break from boxing from the November 2004 to November 2008 (from the age of 33 to 37), I hope the Historians will bear that in mind!! I VM doubt that Vitali would still be boxing now if he'd NOT had that break
In fact, Vitali turned pro in November 1996, so he's only actually had 11 years as a pro.
Lennox had 14 years total & much togher opposition, whilst Vitali is likely to retire in 2012 with only 12 years total
@4browsing Because he has a SPONGE CAKE CHIN he will always get snubbed from now to the end of eternity, he was ko'd in single shots by nothing more than journeymen. When did that ever happen to Muhammad Ali, Foreman, Holyfield?? COWARD Lennox Lewis (Born September 2nd 1965) retired at 37!!......Vitali is still fighting now at 40 and has NEVER been dropped let alone ko'd. There are too many tangibales and intangibles against Lennox Lewis to rate him as anything more than a decent journeyman
But you went all irrational? Yes Wladimir was dismissible then. But are you saying Wladimir of the Sanders/Brewster era the same fighter today under Emanuel Steward, Lennox's mentor?? And we know Bowe ducked Lennox. But it was a fight people needed to see. The Olympics was in friggin '88. Bowe is considered a top 3 heavyweight of the 90s. Lastly, we all know styles make fights. What is this thrived against Klitschko? Rahman? I'm not arguing against Lennox.. You've lost it.
@4browsing It doesn't matter that Lennox beat Bowe in 1988 - Lennox was 22 and Bowe was a fit 21 year who turned into a bit of a flabby monster when he turned pro. Lennox would have definatley stopped Bowe if they had fought in the early 90's. Bowe was overated, and Lennox was head and shoulders above Bowe and Holyfield.
As for Wladamir, I was merley pointing out that in 2003 & 2004 it was obvious Lennox shouldn't fight him becase Wld kept losing. Obviousley Wlad is better now, although boring
@opera123able TYSON'S LAUGHING!; It's a night on the boos for Lennox.
Sunday Mirror (London, England)
Date: May 12, 1996
If Lennox was dragged to the wire by 35-year-old Ray Mercer, is there a prayer against Mike Tyson?
The crowd have experts on their side. Riddick 'Big Daddy' Bowe claims: "It was Mercer by two. If I landed clean shots on Lewis the way Mercer did, he'd be put to sleep fast."
@opera123able ...But you seem to be content with Lennox receiving very little respect by historians and critics world-wide. He's obviously discriminated. He's even been asked why he hasn't been well received in his own country, England. Lennox has been the best heavyweight of this generation and "IF" he had Holyfield, Tyson, Bowe, and Vitali all under his name. There is no way I can see the media snubbing him and his name not being mentioned w/ the likes of Ali or Joe Louis...
@4browsing Well, I dont know where you are from, but I am from England, and Lennox Lewis did achieve the full respect over here after he defeated Evander Holyfield twice, and his reputation as an all time great grew with each victory until he retired. Beating Mike Tyson so convincingly - albeit a diminshed Tyson - really convinced everyone that Lennox was the greatest of his era.
The feeling in England was initially a bit "luke warm" for Lennox simply due to his obvious strong links to Canada
@4browsing ....I'm not at all content with Lennox not receiving the full respect - but unfortunatley he & manager Frank Maloney did make errors which meant from 1994 to 1998 he was unable to get the really massive fights to prove he was the best (i.e. Bowe, Mike Tyson & Holyfield).
Lennox is still generally rated higher than Holyfield & Bowe in the all time list, and he's on about a par with Tyson I would say.
Tyson ruined his own legacy later on as did Holy. Bowe was an overated, fat bum.
Ring selected Holyfield third best Heavyweight of all time behind only Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis. In 2002, Ring selected him the 22nd best fighter of the last 80 years, up from number 44 on a pre-Tyson win 1996 list of best fighters of the last 50 yrs.
Beyond titles, Holyfield was recognized as Ring Magazine’s Fighter of the Year in 1987and selection of both organizations in 1996 and 1997
@sonofaballer96 Rocky Marciano didn't face anybody in their prime to test him, not totally his fault but he didn't want to stick around and face a young Floyd Patterson, which would of improved his suspect resume. Joe Frazier's time at the top was very short having just 37 fights, the highlight being beating a ring-rusty Muhammad Ali in 1971 and being a totally shot fighter a few yrs later counts against him.
Holyfield won a record 4 hw titles spanning 11 yrs and fighter of the yr 1987, 96, 97
@JoeCalzagheTheCoward Rocky fough Ezzard Charles and Jersey Joe Walcott. Charles was actually a lot like Holyfield and I don't he was better than him. Rocky is more conditioned and a smart fighter. Walcott was 38 but he said he was in good shape. Frazier beat everyone he was suppose to and he was undefeated in the best heavyweight era.
@sonofaballer96 Rocky is more conditioned? Than who? The old men he was fighting? Fair enough.
Ezzard Charles was a very small heavyweight (starting at 175lbs) so not a big heavyweight and could be outhustled (demonstrated by his loses ordinary Valdes and Johnson before he met Marciano)
I understand your point about Walcott. Holyfield was also 38 and said he was in good shape before he got battered by John Ruiz! Some fighters need saving from themselves
@JoeCalzagheTheCoward Yes it surprising Fraizer didnt fight eny of the other top fighters at that time. But i still like him, great fighter and he wasnt afraid of fighting Foreman a second time.
Sports of the Times; Lewis’s Legacy Is Taking a BeatingBy DAVE ANDERSONPublished: June 23, 2003
Whenever boxing buffs measure Lewis against other heavyweight champions, those three names will sabotage his stature.When the best heavyweights of the past lost, it usually was to worthy opponents.But the best champions never got knocked out, as Lennox Lewis did, by somebody like Hasim Rahman or Oliver McCall.
@4browsing The thing is that Lewis fought everyone that was good at the time when they weren't even at their best, his toughest fight was with a 37 year old.
@opera123able ..to fight and could contend better then the current heavyweight division but recognizes though his mind is sharp his body reacts differently w/ age. I disagree w/ your assessment of Vitali. Most boxing experts recognize both Klitschko brothers effective ability to fight and obvious physical advantage. Even in a weak era.. they've blown away all competition. The fact that Vitali is now 40 and still doing "work" just adds clout to this and the misfortune of the brothers.
@opera123able Lennox was 37, Vitali 32. smart Lennox saw that Vitali getting better and could k.o Lennox. Klitschko are not small Tyson or E. Holy , cant be push around.
@FlyKozak Lennox was 38 years old in September 2003!! - In a rematch he would have been well into his 39th year, as Vitali still had to get through an eliminator!!
Lennox actually thrived against the bigger guys (i.e. Klitshcko, Mavoric, Bruno, Briggs, Bowe, Grant, Golota etc), and found he had to more patient against the smaller ones (i.e. Holyfield, Tyson, Tua, Mason, Phil Jackson).
love or hate Lewis.. he is one the greatest ever. only man to avenge his two losses with a ko.. rahman was buster douglas.. im tyson fan since little boy but lewis is the real deal
Lewis will never be as great as VITALI he is another loud mouth africanNIGG just like , david gay HAYE, fake gayweather, judahh cant remmeber a black fighter with any manners or class lol
lol bigmoney is that tyson resume tyrell bigs, frank bruno twice, tony tucker, and tony tubbs. hahaha house hold names those fighters were right. give me a break.Sounds like a Boise state football schedule yeah they win and big over wyoming, hawaii, air force the biggies lol just like tyson. all fairness to tyson and i amnot a fan like you bigmoney i could have come up with a much better list of tyson wins then that
oops down like the big chinless lump of shit he was just like the mcCall fight and go ask the average person who mcCall and rahman were and they would say "who the hell are they"?
It's astonishing how some can rate Lewis as the greatest ever or the top 2 or 3 when the marshmellow chinned fighter gets ko'd twice in his prime regardless if he avenged it. That is a serious black eye in rating anyone top 5 or even top 10, getting ko'd twice by 2 guys not really known for their power.How sad.
@handsomezombie1 Lewis was still an amateur when Tyson was at his peak, Tyson fought all the top contenders of the 80's heavyweight division and ko'd them.
@bigmoney749 Tucker was better then spinks and ko'd a fit douglas 3 months before losing to tyson.Lewis became a better self preservasion fighter after losing to Mccall and taking emanula stewart in.Without stewart,I believe lewis would lose 3 more times.Foreman was an idiot who didnt have a good insight in boxing as most fighters lack about the actual sport they practice.
@MrManny7426 Khan didn't lose a title in his loss. In fact he's one two titles since that loss. Khan don't need fucking Prescott, he's in a whole different class at this point.
@FightMang36 man you must be crazy....look at lewis s record for petes sake - he lost to two fighters instantly kayoed in each one,,,absolutely destroyed them both in rematches...one mentally and one physically -destroyed ruddock/galota/briggs/grant/morrison..beat holyfield/tua/bruno/mercer/botha/grant...bowe avoided him like the plaque....get real please or are you a tyson fan
Lennox Lewis, the WBC heavyweight champion, has rejected a proposed deal to fight Riddick Bowe for the undisputed title.
"The deal was $21 million for Bowe and a 50-50 split if the final purse went above $32 million," Frank Maloney, who represents Lewis, said Tuesday. Lewis was guaranteed $11 million.
"We declined that, and the Bowe fight won't happen until the summer of 1994," Maloney said.
Well naming someone on an alltime list made by americans is no proof that boxers of the past can beat boxers of today. Still you fail to explain why boxers of 60 years ago was better than today boxers, most of the fighters who fought at that time wasnt more than CW. Would the best football or soccer team 60 years ago beat a team of today ? :-D
knockup100 1 week ago
JoeCalzagheTheCoward 1 week ago
Klitschko's = NO LEGACY
Klitschko's = BEAT NOBODY
JoeCalzagheTheCoward 1 week ago
@JoeCalzagheTheCoward Wow you are really taking this debate to another level
@JoeCalzagheTheCoward= just a simple minded hater
knockup100 1 week ago
@knockup100 Boxing: Vitali Klitschko to fight Shannon Briggs, the prosecution rests
July 29, 2010 by David Payne
I wrote recently in at least partial defence of the brothers Klitschko. Excusing some of their benevolent matchmaking as the inevitable by-product of their misfortune of being resident in arguably the weakest era in living memory.
JoeCalzagheTheCoward 1 week ago
Why is it some people dont understand, that boxing and its atletes like in eny other sport improve during time. Joe Luis was great but he wouldt last long against Lennox or the Klitschko´s, But Louis is still a great fighter. same goes with other champions of the past.
knockup100 1 week ago
@knockup100 Joe Louis would literally destroy Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko = SPONGE CAKE CHINS
He would break down Vitali also to a pts win. MOST experts rate Joe Louis as the greatest ever on ALL of the rankings. Lewis gets put to sleep by bums so that statement is absurd.
Lewis and the Klitschko's both fought in a dead division
JoeCalzagheTheCoward 1 week ago
@JoeCalzagheTheCoward No you are the one that saying absurd things, what experts are you talking about ? Joe louis was small, considered boxers of today, and it is a common fact that all athletes improve during time, so before you go on about Joe Louis would beat today´s boxers, please come up with some unequivocal evidence to your claim. Do you think Louis would beat the Klitchkos because Louis beat the like of Max Bear ?? thats lame.
knockup100 1 week ago
@knockup100
Measured Against All Time - Evander Holyfield
Posted by: Cliff Rold on 12/27/2008 .
In 1998, Ring selected Holyfield third best Heavyweight of all time behind only Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis. In 2002, Ring selected him the 22nd best fighter of the last 80 years, up from number 44 on a pre-Tyson win 1996 list of best fighters of the last 50 years.
JOE LOUIS = MURDERS Michael Grant 6"8-255-260lbs = BUM
JOE LOUIS = MURDERS Lennox SPONGE CAKE CHIN Lewis 6"5-240-250lbs = BUM
.....
JoeCalzagheTheCoward 1 week ago
JoeCalzagheTheCoward 1 week ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Lennox "The Vulture" Lewis: career breakdown
Here are Lennox Lewis' most difficult opponents:
Oliver McCall - Oliver was 29 years old and stopped Lennox easily in the 2nd round. Later in 1996 he fell into Crack Cocaine-Alcohol Problems. He had 3 drug related arrests and was under house arrest / drug rehab since December 15th 1996. Coward Lennox Lewis decided it was now "safe" to face Oliver McCall who would surely have knocked him out easily again if he was not in the throes of drug addiction
JoeCalzagheTheCoward 2 weeks ago
2 fights,2 payments...it's all about business...
sam94433 2 weeks ago
Lennox "The Vulture" Lewis: career breakdown
Here are Lennox Lewis' most difficult opponents:
Mike Tyson - June 2002- This is Lennox's biggest con. Tyson, destroyed by British club-fighters Danny Williams and Kevin McBride more decisively than Lennox Lewis who took 8 rounds to literally push an exhausted overweight 235lbs Mike Tyson to the canvas. This is not surprising, he'd boxed just 18 rounds in 6 yrs and was pictured 03/2002 in the National Enquirer smoking marijuana with hippies in Hawaii
JoeCalzagheTheCoward 2 months ago
Lennox "The Vulture" Lewis: career breakdown
Here are Lennox Lewis' most difficult opponents:
Hasim Rahman - A fighter who didn't even take up boxing until the age of 20, making his pro debut at 22 in 1994 a guy with no punch resistance, not just been ko'd, but out of the ring in 1999 by Oleg Maskaev. Lennox got ko'd in 5
Hasim Rahman 2 - Lennox won in 4 in a 2001 rematch, so poor was Hasim Rahman that he didn't win another fight until a 2004 U/D "HBO Ballroom Boxing" match with 41yo Al Cole
JoeCalzagheTheCoward 2 months ago
@JoeCalzagheTheCoward do you just hate lennox lewis and calzaghe or all brits in general?
Uprising771 2 weeks ago
@Uprising771 LUMMOX
JoeCalzagheTheCoward 2 weeks ago
Lennox "The Vulture" Lewis: career breakdown
Here are Lennox Lewis' most difficult opponents:
Evander Holyfield - Lennox cleverly waited until Holyfield was 37 years old to finally muster up the courage to fight him. Holyfield had already once retired with a congenital heart defect and looked a shadow of his late 90's-Early 90's prime. After Holyfield winning a controversial decision against Vaughn Bean in 1998, Lennox Lewis realised this was the "perfect moment" to face Evander Holyfield
JoeCalzagheTheCoward 2 months ago
lewis was a bum
botzaro00 2 months ago
lewis on a parr with tyson hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaha
you should do stand-up
snoopyprobbing 2 months ago
where is farrell the fag on this video. he is the guy that keeps getting on holyfield fights saying how great lewis is. where are you fag?
bobber0623 2 months ago
@bobber0623 You tell em
TheBookOfDo 2 months ago
LEWIS WARNED: THIS IS FOR REAL
Author:Dillon, JohnPublication: The Mirror (London, England)Date: Sep 25, 1998
LENNOX Lewis was reminded here last night of the harsh truth that he has waded to the top of the world through a pile of washed up drunks and junkies. “Lionel Butler was on drugs, Oliver McCall was in and out of rehabilitation with drug and booze problems and Tommy Morrison went on drinking binges before the fight,” said Steward.
JoeCalzagheTheCoward 2 months ago
TYSON'S LAUGHING!; It's a night on the boos for Lennox.
Sunday Mirror (London, England)
Date: May 12, 1996
The result brings a scathing attack from Jay Larkin, senior vice-president of Showtime TV sport. He alleges Lennox has no genuine intention of facing Tyson.
"Lewis is welcome in a ring with Tyson on July 13 and we will pay him 10 million dollars - the biggest purse of his life.
"Lewis and his people have refused.
LENNOX LEWIS = COWARD-WAITED UNTIL 2002 WHEN TYSON WASHED UP
JoeCalzagheTheCoward 3 months ago
Lennox and Vitali are best ever boxers as a package, Lennox is faster, Vitali has better chin and jab, also def..
FlyKozak 3 months ago
Lewis was always fighting bums anyway,could never be considered a great.
MrT9alizee 3 months ago
Well place right jab or hook.whatever it was it drop Lewis like a pancake
Bjben03 3 months ago
Do all of u dipshits who say Tyson lost to Lewis bc he was washed up even realize tht Lewis is older than Mike?
sjgilley 3 months ago
@sjgilley
Good point - I think that the reason Tyson was washed up was the drugs and lack of focus after being released from prison, which is not Lewis's fault. Tyson was still a formidable foe in 2002 though.
For me Prime Lewis (31 - 36) v Prime Tyson (19 - 22) would equal Lewis beating Tyson like how Lewis beat Evander Holyfield in 1999 (i.e. on points by a margin of 4 or 5 rounds).
Lennox aged 27 to 30 would beat prime Tyson, as long as he was focused (unlike against Oliver Mccall)
opera123able 3 months ago
@opera123able why wasnt he focused against mccall?? I dont remember..I do remember the meltdown and I think that was tragic for Mccall.
sjgilley 3 months ago
@sjgilley
Lennox was not focused against Mccall because he started to beleive he was invincible. In September 1994 (when he lost) Lewis hadn't lost a fight as a professional or an amateur for 10 years (the last one being a controversial loss to Tyrell Biggs in the 1984 Olympics). He was Olympic champion, British, Commonwealth & European Champion and WBC world champion for 2 years with excellent victories over Ruddock, Tucker, Phil Jackson and Frank Bruno.
I hope that answers your quuestion.
opera123able 3 months ago
Lewis is poo poo
EggyPong 3 months ago
@rpt663 neither would have holyfield brother not by this bum. Holy was first tyson second lewis third Lewis fought the first two when they were washed up.at the end of their careers As far as this fight will the real lennox lewis please stand up. Oh that is right he cant he just got his ass knocked out. no chin lewis just like the mcCall fight.
bobber0623 3 months ago
@rpt663 you fucking moron!All Lennox losses was lucky punches,Lennox on top is better then Tyson on top!
Temychable 3 months ago
@Temychable
people are idiots for thinking tyson was better than lewis. almost all fighters who fought them both were ko'ed by lewis quicker. ruddock went 12 rounds with tyson but only 1.5 with lewis. golota didn't get past round 1 with lewis but got to rd 3 with tyson. botha got knocked out in 2 by lewis and in 5 by tyson. only bruno lasted longer with lewis. also lewis knocked down tony tucker twice but tyson didn't get him down at all. tyson is great but not better than lewis
thepotatovagina 3 months ago
@thepotatovagina maybe
Temychable 3 months ago
I still think that had they both fought in ther primes (lets not forget Lewis was even older than Tyson at 38) Lewis still wouldve beat him. While neither guy fought the calibre of competition that was around in the 70's, Lewis still beat the more credible opposition and was ducked by both Bowe and Tyson. I think Tyson would give him trouble early on but once lewis got his jab goin Tyson would struggle to get inside due to the sheer size of Lennox and he'd get fatigued and finished late on
wildthing1717 3 months ago
@wildthing1717 tyson fought tall people all his life, he never had problems getting inside. lewis was a boring one paced fighter he would not have been able to take the pressure of a prime tyson
boxer19851 3 months ago
@boxer19851 oh bullshit. This "Tyson prime" garbage is just that. Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield were always better boxers. I even think a 42 yr old George Foreman would have ko'd Tyson at anytime. Tyson preyed on meatballs who were scared of him. Skilled boxers with good chins could take him out and did.
aitraining 3 months ago
i dunno man, tyson never really fought anyone with the amatuer pedigree of lewis or technical ability; i agree that lewis had some fights where he relied heavily on his jab but you cant ignore some of his early ko's. even the 2 losses were from taking his opponents lightly. If he fought a prime tyson he'd have realised the seriousness and raised it to top level, tyson had a history of struggling when opponents fought back because they weren't scared of his rep.
wildthing1717 3 months ago
@rpt663 Tyson never beat anyone, he was a hype job that shit himself when ever anyone stood up to him, if tyson was great he would of beat Holyfeild (dont whinge about headbutts) Buster Douglas (oo don king was distracting him or some shit) he would of beat lennox (out of his prime, moan moan) No one has more excuses than a tyson fan, Tysons only decent win was over larry holmes who was so out of shape for that fight, Tyson was a hype job you just been blinded by the hype, Name the great he beat
SamTheManWhoCanTwice 3 months ago
@SamTheManWhoCanTwice
you are whats known as a moron, tyson was a machine in his youth we never got to see what he could do he was gone by the age of 23 do you get that hewas gone by 23! he was still a kid. never had it mentally thats why we missed out on a legend..man had one of the greatest punches in boxing amazing hand speed in both hands very hard to hit and you call him hype lot of experts got fooled by the hype,you go ahead and educate the world.
you bar stool expert
jasscaff 3 months ago
@jasscaff Eddie Futch said he wouldnt of been able to hang with any of the greats as well (Futch predictated that buster would KO Him) id say tyson was in the top 20, he was a machine but he got beat by a journeyman in his prime and never beat a great fighter, he just looked impressive at beating the people he did beat.
SamTheManWhoCanTwice 3 months ago
@SamTheManWhoCanTwice prob no witht some of the all time greats foreman would have ko,d him no swarming fighter could live wioth him ali would break him mentally easily,lewis is tough to call big reach and strong but weak chin if tyson got one big one goodnight, frazier took too long to get smokin and tyson came out early like a tornado listons reach and power would have beaten tyson plus tyson would have feared him marciano was not as strong fast or technical so loss there.
jasscaff 1 month ago
@SamTheManWhoCanTwice louis would have taken him apart in late rounds,jack jonson and dempsey both beaten by tyson dempsey was too light to absorb the punches and jonson not sophisticated enough a swarmer....tyson is an all time great and he never reached his prime in either boxing strategy and prob not physically and he simply did not have the mental stability...
jasscaff 1 month ago
@jasscaff but he didn't.... he lost
fussellmuscle 1 month ago
0:04 Suck...
BADZENKO 3 months ago
I find it funny how people believe Lennox Lewis was better then Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson. What really helped Lewis was his size and both Holyfield and Tyson were NEVER knocked out like this. Holyfield was never KO'd (his two TKO's came once by hepatitis and an injury, both flukes) and it took Tyson a million punches to get Ko'd (ex. Buster Douglas fight). One good punch from Rahman clocked Lewis, both prime Holyfield and Tyson would destroy him.
GalickGun5078 4 months ago
@rpt663 no, a b-fighter like Buster Doughlas outlanded him. In Doughlas first title defense Holyfield stopped him in round 3.
knockup100 4 months ago
Lewis's achilles heel has been his glass jaw all along. Even a drugged-up Oliver McCall clocked him for the fastest knockout in professional boxing. HA!!
3507hamoana 4 months ago
Lennox is nothing but a coward. Sure he was a good boxer. But he knew that Vitali would kill him in a rematch that´s the reason why he refused to fight him a second time he knew he got lucky with that cut above the eye the first time around. Remember Vitali was ahead on points when it happened. Lennox knows deep down he would have lost the fight although he would never ever admit it.
MrBeckenhimself 4 months ago
@rpt663 we will never know cause boxing promoters are fucking retarted. In boxing promoters i mean American, boxing promoters.
TheReemOne 4 months ago
@DeadPeopleAreBoring lol listen to your list! NOW..... did he beat Bowe? No... Lewis? "HELL NO".... Holyfield? Nope.... Moorer? Nope... The point is this....YOU CAN'T JUDGE BAISED ON POTENTIAL!!!!!!!! He did not beat ANY of his peers! weather you say they ducked or he was old or what ever..... He Ither never fought them or he lost! PERIOD!
minstrel34 4 months ago
@DeadPeopleAreBoring Ok Name 3 people he beat
minstrel34 4 months ago
@rpt663 mike tyson peak in 88 and lewis didnt turn pro till 89 i still think lewis is better than tyson tho
Raiton45 4 months ago
@rpt663 but the thing us lewis gets them back, tyson doesn't
bobolink222 4 months ago
@rpt663 who's fault is it Tyson got weak! They started around the same time! As Sparring partners! And you forget before Jail he NEVER beat ONE Mega star and didnt after! not to mention not only got KOed before Jail... but Dominated! So it wasn't a lucky shot! MIKE TYSON is the most OVERATED fighter of all time! Never beat anyone!
minstrel34 4 months ago
@minstrel34 Jesus he was only 23, fights would have came he demolished opponents to the point they were scared to get into the ring with him that comes from hype? He may not have been the greatest fighter of all time but not his fault. i mean there are great fighters from other eras didn't have much to fight but don't get into thisa nd get called overrated there weren't the opponents of other eras... who did marciano fight? who did louis fight?
jasscaff 1 month ago
@rpt663 That is woulda, coulda, shoulda, pie in the sky stuff. Tyson did not reach his full potential.
MIKESOWELL 4 months ago
@TheWHITEDEVIL1488 YOUR SENTENCE STRUCTURE WAS VERY POOR.
MIKESOWELL 4 months ago
@rpt663 REALLY?!?! Name ONE person Tyson Beat.... and Dont say Holmes cause he was 40... Name one Star.... You cant!
minstrel34 4 months ago
@minstrel34 Michael Spinks.
MIKESOWELL 4 months ago
@MIKESOWELL Lol I can't believe you even responded with that! For him to be your pic... proves my point!.... How bout Bowe? Nope, Lewis? Nope, Holyfield? Nope, even OLD Foreman? Nope, moorer? Nope. Out of ALL the good heavyweights through out his career he beat NOT ONE TOP GUY!!!!!!! weather they didn't fight or they ducked.... what ever the case, you can't judge a career on potential! There's No Way he was better then Lewis... No Way!
minstrel34 4 months ago
@minstrel34 First of all, I never said that Tyson was better than Lewis. You asked what star did Tyson beat in his prime. I said Michael Spinks. Some people saw Spinks as the real champion instead of Tyson. Tyson demolished him.
MIKESOWELL 4 months ago
Best punch Rahman threw in his career right there.
jimmah1967 4 months ago
@rpt663 right on
DeathrowRecords1995 4 months ago
@rpt663 ye your right tyson had a better chin but lewis was much more confident tyson ducked lewis thats a fact lewis never ducked no1 but i do agree prime for prime tyson wins but after the 80s tyson was to scared of big lennox
ItsDatGirlJordz 4 months ago
i love it
smokinlefthook 4 months ago
@rpt663 Lewis was nearly 40 yrs old when he retired when he fought Vitali he weighed in at a career high weight the only reason people hate Lewis is because his record reds better than Tysons get over it Tyson is my favourite in his PRIME boxing had never seen anything like it hasn't since but for fucks sake remember Tyson for what he was not what he could have been,Lewis is also a LEGEND his record and dominance over a DECADE speaks for itself
MrConnolly25 4 months ago
@MrConnolly25 -Lewis was 37 and he was only a few lbs over his best fighting weight when he fought Vitali,if he knew that all he had to do was get in better shape to beat Vitali more decisively I believe he would've done so.Lennox was convinced b4 the fight that Vitali lacked heart and that he would crumble after feeling his power and pressure, but he couldn't have been more wrong.Truth is he was fortunate to get away with that win,and smart enough to get out of boxing on top.
jimmah1967 4 months ago
@jimmah1967 he had NEVER weighed in as heavy as he did against Vitali that says a lot.Watch the 6th round Vitali was clearly hanging on Lewis was beginning to get to him.People dont like it because Vitali started well but it was never 1 sided as people seem to think.Vitali missed the 'boat' he could'nt finish of an out of shape tired Lewis.
MrConnolly25 4 months ago
@jimmah1967 Lewis was at least pound pounds overweight for the Klitschko bout. That may not sound like much, but for as brutal an athletic competition as boxing is that is a lot. Also, Lewis was getting up there, and had been through wars. True though, Lewis didn't take Vitali as seriously as he should have.
MIKESOWELL 4 months ago
Comment removed
MrConnolly25 4 months ago
@rpt663 A 24 year old Tyson lost to Buster Doughlas. Tysons chin is proberly better than Lewis, but there are numerous ways to define a great boxer than just a good chin. Being at the top of the game for a long time also speaks for quality.
knockup100 5 months ago
@rpt663 We can't say he's better by shoulda coulda woulda bullshit. Bottom line is Lennox is better. Tyson was knocking out bums. He was overrated.
CJThaSavage 5 months ago
No disrespect to Rahman, but Lewis got him back. Lewis got everyone back.
But Lennox? Goddammit, Vitali deserved the rematch. Why did you do that? If it meant you lost and then retired, then you lost and then retired. Tyson lost and then retired. Roy Jones lost and then retired. Didn't hurt their legacies nearly as much as DUCKING THE FIGHT would have!!!!
Lewis is one of my favorite boxers, but the refusal to give Vitali a rematch smelled a lot like something Gayweather Jr. would do. Ewwwww.
afterapplepicking 5 months ago 23
@afterapplepicking not telling aobut his sad performance against Vitali when he said he would give him a 2nd chance and retired after that coz he knew Vitali would woup his ass in a rematch
dimadeloseros1 5 months ago
@afterapplepicking Lewis was a 39 yr old man when he retired,when he fought Vitali he was 38 he was already past his best he also fought Vitali weighing in at a career high 256 lbs if you cant understand what im getting at you should read Lewis's record.In his prime he beat every1 put in front of him,when he lost he avenged the loss ie Rahman,McCall.Vitali prime v Lewis prime is a no brainer as after the actual fight they had Vitali required over 60 stitches.39 yr old men dont duck they retire.
MrConnolly25 5 months ago
@MrConnolly25 -i still believe Vitali deserved a rematch..it was a great fight and a rematch would only have been better.That nasty cut Vitali recieved was from a glancing shot and it changed the compexion of the fight..It's a pity Lewis was at the end of his career when this fight happened as we missed out on what would've been a barnburner of a rematch.Both men would've been different fighters for the rematch and given Lewis' age, the outcome would've been up for grabs
jimmah1967 4 months ago
@jimmah1967 On the stength of the actual fight a rematch would have been imo a mid round K.O. victory for Lewis,for a start Lewis would have trained properly as he was clearly unfit on the other hand Vitali admitted to being in the best shape of his career.Lewis also always performed better in rematches and more importantly Vitali's 'style' is so mechanical a fit Lewis would pepper him with the jab and the uppercut or a big over hand right would be goodnight.Course this is only my opinion
MrConnolly25 4 months ago
@afterapplepicking roy jones isn't retired yet..
hallokity123 4 months ago
@hallokity123 True, but Roy Jones is so washed up right now he might as well be retired. His current self is a sorry substitute for what he used to be in the 90's.
afterapplepicking 4 months ago
@afterapplepicking yeah sure, but you can say the same about holyfield. but saying he's retired is absolutely rediculous. yeah he should but he isn't..
hallokity123 4 months ago
@afterapplepicking Wtf, you forgot Lewis won that fight?
Badin10tions 4 months ago
@Badin10tions No, I didn't. Can you read? I said "Vitali deserved the rematch" and then I said "If it (the rematch) against Vitali meant you (Lennox Lewis) lost and then retired..."
If Lennox had given Vitali the rematch he may have lost, you see.
It's called comprehension. I know it's hard. Take tylenol for any headaches. Midol for any cramps.
afterapplepicking 4 months ago
@afterapplepicking if you watch that vitali fight vitali gets the better of lewis emanuel says you gotta go out there and be agressive then bang lewis comes out lands a big right then theres a cut lewis won that fight because he dug deep there was no illegal punch so no need for a rematch if your thinking of retiring
ItsDatGirlJordz 3 months ago
@afterapplepicking If I remember then Lewis was 38 years of age when they had the first bout and Lennox seemed to have struggled to get himself fighting fit (it had been a year since he fought Tyson). Tyson continued to fight (and lose) because he needed cash. Roy continues to fight because he still believes that he is a great fighter (which he sadly isn't). If Roy'd retired after the Ruiz fight then people would have said he was one of the greatest to ever live.
834373 3 months ago
@afterapplepicking
I disagree - Lewis beat Vitali fair and square when they fought, and Lennox was in the very worst physical condition of his career.. Vitali needed 60 stitches in his face following it, and couldn't fight for 6 months.
An immediate re-match with Lennox was therefore out of the question anyway because the surgeon said Vitali needed 6 months to heal , the WBC order an eliminator (he fought Johnson in Dec 2003), so by the time of a re-match Lennox would have been nearly 40!!
opera123able 3 months ago
@opera123able Well put. How often does his age, longevity, and era receive consideration? It's a boxing travesty the media and the boxing community continue to disrespect Lewis's career by not acknowledging him as a Great of ANY era. There isn't a doubt in my mind this is based on his demeanor, the "hope of Tyson" that wasn't, and being an undisputed British champ... all biases not based on boxing. (I'm American) If Lewis knew how Vitali's career would play out, I can't see him passing it up.
4browsing 3 months ago
@4browsing
I'm not sure I agree with you about Lennox not passing up Vitali. Lennox was offered the chance to come out of retirement to fight either Klitschko, and he passed it up because he is fully satisfied with how his career ended. - Vitali's biggest achievement by far and the basis for his whole reputation was the fact that he boxed quite well against Lennox for 6 rounds - despite Lennox being in the worst shape of his career and still ripping up Vitali's face.
opera123able 3 months ago
@opera123able Lennox met w/ Vitali personally post fight '04 and according to Vitali, his mother likely had to do w/ his decision to pass. In a fairly recent interview, Lennox stated that at the time of his retirement the last piece to his legacy was Tyson or the NAME would elude him indefinitely. As time has passed, it's Tyson's boxing ability and competition that has received scrutiny while fans dispute Lennox's resume missing Bowe and the Klitschko saga. He also said he's still compelled
4browsing 3 months ago
@4browsing
Lennox was well into his 39th Year in early 2004, he had already clearly beaton Vitali and won everything.
He retired at the correct time.
opera123able 3 months ago
@4browsing
What are you on about?? Lennox TKO'd Chicken Bowe in 2 rounds to take Olympic gold, and he TKO'd Vitali in 6 rounds to retain his undisputed heavyweight championship crown.
He didn't fight Wladamir because Wladamir was busy getting knocked out by Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster, whilst Lennox was ruling the hearvyweight boxing world.
opera123able 3 months ago
@opera123able Lennox is a joy to watch and as I stated previously, I personally feel he could contend in ANY era. But he's not considered a top 5 heavyweight by any boxing authority worldwide and is constantly snubbed. All I was mentioning was that Lennox at the time felt he had done "enough" for his legacy not knowing that a defining win over Vitali (which he could've done) would lessen the bias. Whether you like it or not. Vitali at 40, schooling boys half his age gives him credibility.
4browsing 3 months ago
@4browsing
I dont think Vitali is schooling many 20 year olds
If you think Vitali beating an ancient Shannon Briggs and other fat bums (i.e. Samuel Peter), has beens, non-entities and B class opponants like Chris Arreola in painfully boring and unmemorable fights gives him credibility to the extent that Lennox should have delayed his much deserved and very timely/sensible retirement, then you and I have very different perspectives.
Vitali best contribution to boxing was the fight he lost.
opera123able 3 months ago
@opera123able You must not be an athlete or 40 years old. This is still the professional level and father time is never taken for granted by athletes. Arguably, their competition has been about as competitive if not more than anyone on Tyson's list DURING his prime. And if they continue to win as they age, historians will notice. Vitali was on his way to beating a gold medalist in Solis; and Adamek is no bum.. They're openly described as boring but effective - ask David Haye or Ruslan Chagaev.
4browsing 2 months ago
@4browsing
You have failed to mention that Vitali Klitshko had a nice long break from boxing from the November 2004 to November 2008 (from the age of 33 to 37), I hope the Historians will bear that in mind!! I VM doubt that Vitali would still be boxing now if he'd NOT had that break
In fact, Vitali turned pro in November 1996, so he's only actually had 11 years as a pro.
Lennox had 14 years total & much togher opposition, whilst Vitali is likely to retire in 2012 with only 12 years total
opera123able 2 months ago
@4browsing Because he has a SPONGE CAKE CHIN he will always get snubbed from now to the end of eternity, he was ko'd in single shots by nothing more than journeymen. When did that ever happen to Muhammad Ali, Foreman, Holyfield?? COWARD Lennox Lewis (Born September 2nd 1965) retired at 37!!......Vitali is still fighting now at 40 and has NEVER been dropped let alone ko'd. There are too many tangibales and intangibles against Lennox Lewis to rate him as anything more than a decent journeyman
JoeCalzagheTheCoward 3 months ago
But you went all irrational? Yes Wladimir was dismissible then. But are you saying Wladimir of the Sanders/Brewster era the same fighter today under Emanuel Steward, Lennox's mentor?? And we know Bowe ducked Lennox. But it was a fight people needed to see. The Olympics was in friggin '88. Bowe is considered a top 3 heavyweight of the 90s. Lastly, we all know styles make fights. What is this thrived against Klitschko? Rahman? I'm not arguing against Lennox.. You've lost it.
4browsing 3 months ago
@4browsing It doesn't matter that Lennox beat Bowe in 1988 - Lennox was 22 and Bowe was a fit 21 year who turned into a bit of a flabby monster when he turned pro. Lennox would have definatley stopped Bowe if they had fought in the early 90's. Bowe was overated, and Lennox was head and shoulders above Bowe and Holyfield.
As for Wladamir, I was merley pointing out that in 2003 & 2004 it was obvious Lennox shouldn't fight him becase Wld kept losing. Obviousley Wlad is better now, although boring
opera123able 3 months ago
@opera123able TYSON'S LAUGHING!; It's a night on the boos for Lennox.
Sunday Mirror (London, England)
Date: May 12, 1996
If Lennox was dragged to the wire by 35-year-old Ray Mercer, is there a prayer against Mike Tyson?
The crowd have experts on their side. Riddick 'Big Daddy' Bowe claims: "It was Mercer by two. If I landed clean shots on Lewis the way Mercer did, he'd be put to sleep fast."
LENNOX LEWIS = SPONGE CAKE CHIN
LENNOX LEWIS = WORSE THAN FRAUDLEY HARRISON
KEEP TALKING
JoeCalzagheTheCoward 3 months ago
@opera123able ...But you seem to be content with Lennox receiving very little respect by historians and critics world-wide. He's obviously discriminated. He's even been asked why he hasn't been well received in his own country, England. Lennox has been the best heavyweight of this generation and "IF" he had Holyfield, Tyson, Bowe, and Vitali all under his name. There is no way I can see the media snubbing him and his name not being mentioned w/ the likes of Ali or Joe Louis...
4browsing 2 months ago
@4browsing Well, I dont know where you are from, but I am from England, and Lennox Lewis did achieve the full respect over here after he defeated Evander Holyfield twice, and his reputation as an all time great grew with each victory until he retired. Beating Mike Tyson so convincingly - albeit a diminshed Tyson - really convinced everyone that Lennox was the greatest of his era.
The feeling in England was initially a bit "luke warm" for Lennox simply due to his obvious strong links to Canada
opera123able 2 months ago
@4browsing ....I'm not at all content with Lennox not receiving the full respect - but unfortunatley he & manager Frank Maloney did make errors which meant from 1994 to 1998 he was unable to get the really massive fights to prove he was the best (i.e. Bowe, Mike Tyson & Holyfield).
Lennox is still generally rated higher than Holyfield & Bowe in the all time list, and he's on about a par with Tyson I would say.
Tyson ruined his own legacy later on as did Holy. Bowe was an overated, fat bum.
opera123able 2 months ago
@opera123ableMeasured Against All Time – Evander Holyfield
by: Cliff Rold on 12/27/2008
Ring selected Holyfield third best Heavyweight of all time behind only Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis. In 2002, Ring selected him the 22nd best fighter of the last 80 years, up from number 44 on a pre-Tyson win 1996 list of best fighters of the last 50 yrs.
Beyond titles, Holyfield was recognized as Ring Magazine’s Fighter of the Year in 1987and selection of both organizations in 1996 and 1997
KEEP TALKING
JoeCalzagheTheCoward 2 months ago
@JoeCalzagheTheCoward Holyfield isn't even better than Rocky or Joe Frazier.
sonofaballer96 2 months ago
@sonofaballer96 Rocky Marciano didn't face anybody in their prime to test him, not totally his fault but he didn't want to stick around and face a young Floyd Patterson, which would of improved his suspect resume. Joe Frazier's time at the top was very short having just 37 fights, the highlight being beating a ring-rusty Muhammad Ali in 1971 and being a totally shot fighter a few yrs later counts against him.
Holyfield won a record 4 hw titles spanning 11 yrs and fighter of the yr 1987, 96, 97
JoeCalzagheTheCoward 2 months ago
@JoeCalzagheTheCoward Rocky fough Ezzard Charles and Jersey Joe Walcott. Charles was actually a lot like Holyfield and I don't he was better than him. Rocky is more conditioned and a smart fighter. Walcott was 38 but he said he was in good shape. Frazier beat everyone he was suppose to and he was undefeated in the best heavyweight era.
sonofaballer96 2 months ago
@sonofaballer96 Rocky is more conditioned? Than who? The old men he was fighting? Fair enough.
Ezzard Charles was a very small heavyweight (starting at 175lbs) so not a big heavyweight and could be outhustled (demonstrated by his loses ordinary Valdes and Johnson before he met Marciano)
I understand your point about Walcott. Holyfield was also 38 and said he was in good shape before he got battered by John Ruiz! Some fighters need saving from themselves
Rocky Marciano's resume is very poor
JoeCalzagheTheCoward 2 months ago
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sonofaballer96 2 months ago
@JoeCalzagheTheCoward Yes it surprising Fraizer didnt fight eny of the other top fighters at that time. But i still like him, great fighter and he wasnt afraid of fighting Foreman a second time.
knockup100 1 week ago
@4browsing
Sports of the Times; Lewis’s Legacy Is Taking a BeatingBy DAVE ANDERSONPublished: June 23, 2003
Whenever boxing buffs measure Lewis against other heavyweight champions, those three names will sabotage his stature.When the best heavyweights of the past lost, it usually was to worthy opponents.But the best champions never got knocked out, as Lennox Lewis did, by somebody like Hasim Rahman or Oliver McCall.
JoeCalzagheTheCoward 2 months ago
@4browsing The thing is that Lewis fought everyone that was good at the time when they weren't even at their best, his toughest fight was with a 37 year old.
sonofaballer96 2 months ago
@opera123able ..to fight and could contend better then the current heavyweight division but recognizes though his mind is sharp his body reacts differently w/ age. I disagree w/ your assessment of Vitali. Most boxing experts recognize both Klitschko brothers effective ability to fight and obvious physical advantage. Even in a weak era.. they've blown away all competition. The fact that Vitali is now 40 and still doing "work" just adds clout to this and the misfortune of the brothers.
4browsing 3 months ago
@opera123able Lennox was 37, Vitali 32. smart Lennox saw that Vitali getting better and could k.o Lennox. Klitschko are not small Tyson or E. Holy , cant be push around.
FlyKozak 3 months ago
@FlyKozak Lennox was 38 years old in September 2003!! - In a rematch he would have been well into his 39th year, as Vitali still had to get through an eliminator!!
Lennox actually thrived against the bigger guys (i.e. Klitshcko, Mavoric, Bruno, Briggs, Bowe, Grant, Golota etc), and found he had to more patient against the smaller ones (i.e. Holyfield, Tyson, Tua, Mason, Phil Jackson).
opera123able 3 months ago
Rahman's greatest moment---caught lewis w/ a picture perfect KO punch. Rumor is that lewis dint properly train, as the rematch was quite different
loyaldude10 5 months ago
hahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
smokinlefthook 5 months ago
this was a staged fight
wikitalkspublication 5 months ago
@Spike00513z it is not only shots to the head that gave him parkinson, because if it's the only reason then 40% of boxers should have parkinson.
jimiguitar100 5 months ago
lenox left when he knew that he was gonna lose to klitschko next time around
nitoy99ca 5 months ago
Wow Lewis went down like a shot moose, must have some glass in his jaw, still a great champion.
billthestinker 5 months ago
love or hate Lewis.. he is one the greatest ever. only man to avenge his two losses with a ko.. rahman was buster douglas.. im tyson fan since little boy but lewis is the real deal
ariesblack78 5 months ago
Internet racists are usually closet homosexuals.
MRGFONKKK 5 months ago 8
Lewis was very careless, he thought Rahman was nothing which is right but Rahman can take out any1 with 1 punch..
MrOwned0001 5 months ago
Lewis will never be as great as VITALI he is another loud mouth africanNIGG just like , david gay HAYE, fake gayweather, judahh cant remmeber a black fighter with any manners or class lol
PolskiWojownik86 5 months ago
I agree, lewis is not a coward and i believe that he is the "best gay boxer of all time"
mrscrappycocoo1000 5 months ago
Comment removed
torr5962 5 months ago
lol bigmoney is that tyson resume tyrell bigs, frank bruno twice, tony tucker, and tony tubbs. hahaha house hold names those fighters were right. give me a break.Sounds like a Boise state football schedule yeah they win and big over wyoming, hawaii, air force the biggies lol just like tyson. all fairness to tyson and i amnot a fan like you bigmoney i could have come up with a much better list of tyson wins then that
bobber0623 5 months ago
oops down like the big chinless lump of shit he was just like the mcCall fight and go ask the average person who mcCall and rahman were and they would say "who the hell are they"?
bobber0623 5 months ago
Have you seen my latest video.Guess what I am rank no 1 in the world at.
philcoool 6 months ago
It's astonishing how some can rate Lewis as the greatest ever or the top 2 or 3 when the marshmellow chinned fighter gets ko'd twice in his prime regardless if he avenged it. That is a serious black eye in rating anyone top 5 or even top 10, getting ko'd twice by 2 guys not really known for their power.How sad.
fadethetrade 6 months ago
Is it just me or does LEWIS have a small history in coming into fights unprepared... this one.... fat and unfit against Klitscho... anymore?
AlienBusDriver 6 months ago
@fadethetrade actually Tyson ducked Lewis
handsomezombie1 6 months ago
@handsomezombie1 Lewis was still an amateur when Tyson was at his peak, Tyson fought all the top contenders of the 80's heavyweight division and ko'd them.
thamostgangsta12 6 months ago
@thamostgangsta12 Tyson only beat two decent fighters his entire career, Spinks and Ruddock.
bigmoney749 6 months ago
@bigmoney749 Tucker was better then spinks and ko'd a fit douglas 3 months before losing to tyson.Lewis became a better self preservasion fighter after losing to Mccall and taking emanula stewart in.Without stewart,I believe lewis would lose 3 more times.Foreman was an idiot who didnt have a good insight in boxing as most fighters lack about the actual sport they practice.
fadethetrade 6 months ago
@bigmoney749 he beat frank bruno twice and he beat tyrell biggs and tony tucker and tony tubbs.
thamostgangsta12 6 months ago
I CANT UNDERSTAND ARNOLD SWATCHANIGGER ((K<
5PEDROGARZA8 6 months ago
Nie lubie Lewisa. ;]
braaaMC 6 months ago
oh well. canadians can't box
sliat1981 6 months ago
That was Beautiful, Hahahah no RESPECT for Lewis
TheUkrainePower 6 months ago
The main definition of Lucky Punch
Saladino1983 6 months ago
lewis has a chin like my 17 yr old sister
bill23138 6 months ago
whoopss lol
Justifyitplz 6 months ago
tyson would never get ko like that
berealandstaytrue 6 months ago
ZACK ! :-D
Dondel900 6 months ago
dats wat u get if u always run away...
rydertupua 6 months ago
Great ko
AllRoundAces 6 months ago
Khan and naseem should learn from him lewis.. get rematch and get your title back...but there pussys!
MrManny7426 7 months ago
@MrManny7426 Khan didn't lose a title in his loss. In fact he's one two titles since that loss. Khan don't need fucking Prescott, he's in a whole different class at this point.
Antrizzle2009 6 months ago
Comment removed
MrManny7426 7 months ago
If I had a dollar for every pixel in this video, id have 1 dollar
OperationRepoFann 7 months ago
bomba i chuj xd
alfonsinioooooo 7 months ago
yes.... that is it... I hate Lewis he deserves this...
gioojj 7 months ago
Lennox Lewis was the best heavy of his time. Klitschko vs Sanders was far more embarrassing than this.
disgrapefruit2bitter 7 months ago
Lucky punch by Rahman...Lewis bounces off the ropes and right into that one, ouch!
missalicia12say 7 months ago
HAHA lennox lewis got dropped with his weak ass
illmatic826 7 months ago
@illmatic826 Check my cartoons bro
JoeCalzagheTheCoward 7 months ago
lennox lewis is a bitch
x1hitgodx 7 months ago
That was a great example of Lewis's baby soft fragile chin at its best haha...
FightMang36 7 months ago
@FightMang36 man you must be crazy....look at lewis s record for petes sake - he lost to two fighters instantly kayoed in each one,,,absolutely destroyed them both in rematches...one mentally and one physically -destroyed ruddock/galota/briggs/grant/morrison..beat holyfield/tua/bruno/mercer/botha/grant...bowe avoided him like the plaque....get real please or are you a tyson fan
TheRAYZZOR 7 months ago
@TheRAYZZOR BOXING
The Washington Post
July 21, 1993 | Copyright
Lennox Lewis, the WBC heavyweight champion, has rejected a proposed deal to fight Riddick Bowe for the undisputed title.
"The deal was $21 million for Bowe and a 50-50 split if the final purse went above $32 million," Frank Maloney, who represents Lewis, said Tuesday. Lewis was guaranteed $11 million.
"We declined that, and the Bowe fight won't happen until the summer of 1994," Maloney said.
JoeCalzagheTheCoward 7 months ago
LENNOX LEWIS JUST GOT CAUGHT WITH A GOOD PUNCH, IT HAPPENS TO THE BEST BOXERS.
biggs6108 7 months ago 2
No i Lennox leży ;)
12oliwkasz 7 months ago
LENNOX LEWIS = THE MAN WHO COULDN'T FIGHT
HE PUSHED OVER AN UNFIT DRUG ADDICT CALLED TYSON (RING MAGAZINE FIGHTER OF THE YEAR 1988) IN 2002!!!!!!
GREAT LEGACY!!! HAHA
BIGGEST JOKE IN BOXING HISTORY = LENNOX "THE SPONGE CAKE CHINNED LUMMOX" LEWIS!!!
HE WAS A WALKING MARSHMALLOW-NOT A BOXER
HE WAS ALSO A GAYBOY
HIS MOTHER HAD A STARRING ROLE ON PLANET OF THE APES!!!
LOL
LENNOX'S MOTHER = MY NEXT CARTOON!!!
JoeCalzagheTheCoward 7 months ago