Greatest Brit of last 10? Calzaghe? Hatton? Lewis? Hamed?

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 13 Dec 2007, 14:58

Achievement wise Lennox by a long way. Ability wise Lennox and Hamed followed by Calazage.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 13 Dec 2007, 14:59

Goz wrote:
stujones wrote:
Bruno and Tyson paid him step aside money - So they could make the bigger money fights (and Tyson was stripped anyway). Bruno for the twice rematch and Tyson for Vander.... Should Lewis have accepted this though?

Yes, maybe Lewis was cut out for a while after McCall - but he didn't really help himself by facing the likes of Fortune in this period.
Although when Lewis did force the issue Bowe stuck the belt in a bin rather than face him - Lewis was then awarded the title after thrashing Ruddock and got stick for that too - 'He picked the belt up out of a bin' etc.

So he couldn't really win other than take the money and keep kncoking out who was in front of him until he got his opportunity.

Lewis got stick? Not half as much as Bowe did for throwing the title in the belt and being a scaredy cat and taking on that wimp Holyfield again.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 13 Dec 2007, 15:00

Bowe owed Lewis the fight. After beating Holy he dumped the WBC and then fought Jessie Fergusen and Michael Dokes!

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 13 Dec 2007, 15:03

Terry D wrote:
josh fg wrote:
stujones wrote: Bruno and Tyson paid him step aside money - So they could make the bigger money fights (and Tyson was stripped anyway). Bruno for the twice rematch and Tyson for Vander.... Should Lewis have accepted this though?

Yes, maybe Lewis was cut out for a while after McCall - but he didn't really help himself by facing the likes of Fortune in this period.
Fair enough, that was about when Manny took over his carrer too wasn't it so maybe he was learning or something not that I am making excuses. By the way what the eff is the IBC title (just looking at the record!)
Most people would take a Fortune type fight after losing by KO and bringing a new trainer on but Lewis was given an immediate bout with the dangerous Butler and then took the Fortune fight as his gimme. Richly deserved as well as King had tried to knock him out of the division with the Butler bout.

Lionel Butler - some danger he turned out to be... probably the Fortune bout was easier - what was his record again... could whack a bit yes, but no skills.

And it was practically a year after the McCall fight- I thought it was a long rehab process personally.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 13 Dec 2007, 15:17

Who did Butler show form against - Bonecrusher Smith? Thats just about his best win.

I am not saying your wrong about Lewis having a long rehab - perhaps it was needed. Just a pitty that at this stage - Tyson, Holyfield, Bowe were knocking the crap into each other - meaning that the 2 he did face were pretty much done when he got round to them.

Lewis could have and perhaps should have been in the mix at this time... Remember, King only had Holyfield AFTER the Tyson fight... it was an easy fight to make before then and had Lewis beaten Foreman - then he would have been the undisputed #1 and been able to call the shots.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 13 Dec 2007, 15:25

Autobarn wrote:Bowe owed Lewis the fight. After beating Holy he dumped the WBC and then fought Jessie Fergusen and Michael Dokes!

Yeah, what a horrible wimp Bowe was... to think after that tiddly winks match up with Holyfield he would want another 2 easy fights.

He fought Holyfield again 12 months later.... I am sure he was entitled to a bit of R and R and a couple of mark time fights.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 13 Dec 2007, 16:32

I don't think Hollyfiled was done when Lewis beat him I think the two beatings vs lewis ruind him.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 13 Dec 2007, 17:37

Talent wise Calzaghe.

But achievement wise Lewis and being a Brit who became a Heavyweight champ will always score him major points.

DIRT SUGAR · Post by **DIRT SUGAR** » 13 Dec 2007, 17:47

Have to go with Calzaghe after his last fight. He's not been beaten and stayed at the same weight his whole career and beaten two young, unbeaten fighters who many considered would beat him. Ten years unbeaten as a champion and 21 defences and he's beat numerous ex champions. And I still don't believe you can dock him points for not going overseas. I still believe that if you're champion you have a right to stay at home. I mean, for all their ability, do you ever hear people saying 'that Sugar Ray Leonard was great, but he only ever fought in America' (yes I know he boxed Duran in Montreal).

Then Lewis, but I still wish he'd have fought Bowe. I think not fighting him in the pros really leaves a cloud hanging over whether he was the best heavy of his era.

Hamed and Hatton so close. Reigns very similar. Beat some excellent fighters but then when they stepped up against one of the main men they lost. I still think Hatton is no welterweight. If he can come back and beat someone like Paulie Mali''''''' whatever his name is, or Junior Witter, he pips Hamed on longevity.

I still think Hamed had the talent to top the lot but made so much money and lost interest. I mean, he was all over the place when he lost to Barrera but still managed to push him and that was a Barrera at the peak of his powers.