Lennox Lewis gets a date for Klitschko rematch

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 17 Jan 2004, 12:20

Lennox Lewis will likely face Vitali Klitschko on April 24 on a HBO pay-per-view show, according to American sources.
The contingency plan for HBO, should Lewis decide against the rematch, is a possible heavyweight doubleheader featuring Joe Mesi versus Michael Moorer and Juan Carlos Gomez against Samuel Peter.

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 17 Jan 2004, 12:27

in las vegas?

The_Power · Post by **The_Power** » 17 Jan 2004, 13:21

Lewis is a damned fool.

He will now lose, attempt a comeback again, lose again before finally retiring.

His Supposed legacy will be ruined.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 17 Jan 2004, 13:45

Lewis would hardly be the 1st heavyweight to lose a tough match when past his prime, in fact, it's almost mandatory, Jim Jeffries, Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Ali, Holmes, in fact just about every heavyweight champion has done the same thing, with the exception of Foreman and Marciano.

They always come back 1 time too many, and nearly always lose, If Lewis wins this one, he will be bucking a trend.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 17 Jan 2004, 13:51

REAL_DEAL wrote:in las vegas?

Got the story from realboxing.com

lirva33 · Post by **lirva33** » 17 Jan 2004, 14:06

I was a Lewis hater for years but recently I can't help but respect the man.

He took on Vitali, his biggest threat, at 10 days notice or something like that, and now he's giving him a rematch to sort it out once and for all. Throughout his career lewis has ducked no-one. he's was ducked by Bowe and Tyson, who paid him 5 mil to step aside.

I think in the years to come people will recognise just how good Lewis was, and give him the credit he deserves.

With that said, I think Vitali Ko's him early.

zurdo · Post by **zurdo** » 17 Jan 2004, 14:25

thee differance in this fight is that Lennox CAN work himself into top condition..
While Vitali Klitcko CANNOT grow a new cut resistant face..

I say the sharp jabs of a top conditioned Lennox carve up Vitalis face even worse this time ..

Dave1armedTua · Post by **Dave1armedTua** » 17 Jan 2004, 16:41

with the exception of Foreman

Actually, Foreman did lose, even though the decision was questionable.

and Marciano.

Quite right. And add Gene Tunney; he also got out while the getting was good.

zurdo · Post by **zurdo** » 18 Jan 2004, 17:27

If Vitali Klitchko can't knock out an overweight ,distracted, Lewis who had trained to fight "Kirk the Blob" when he had the opportunity What makes you think he will be able to get him in the rematch...

A properly trained Lennox Lewis dispatches Klitcko even quicker and more convincingly

hitman_hatton1 · Post by **hitman_hatton1** » 18 Jan 2004, 17:37

Dave1armedTua wrote:
with the exception of Foreman
Actually, Foreman did lose, even though the decision was questionable.

and Marciano.
Quite right. And add Gene Tunney; he also got out while the getting was good.

hitman_hatton1 · Post by **hitman_hatton1** » 18 Jan 2004, 17:39

foreman should have quit the night he knocked out michael moorer that was the perfect ending

but no he had to carry on and blow it :x yeah the briggs loss was questionable but the schulz one wasn't so in effect that evened it up

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 18 Jan 2004, 17:51

Defintely a very dangerous fight for Lewis this late in his career.
Vitali showed a good chin to take Lewis' blows in the last fight, and he's going to be even more confident this time round. Big punches are going to be heading Lewis' way and Vitali can certainly hurt him if he connects.

Lewis is going to have to be at his best to win this.

What's the odds it will be a final million dollar farewell against Joe Mesi next up? A nice easy fight before retirement to Jamaica.

hitman_hatton1 · Post by **hitman_hatton1** » 18 Jan 2004, 17:55

MightyWarrior wrote: What's the odds it will be a final million dollar farewell against Joe Mesi next up? A nice easy fight before retirement to Jamaica.

or perhaps the one and only roy jones

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 19 Jan 2004, 06:04

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Lewis would hardly be the 1st heavyweight to lose a tough match when past his prime, in fact, it's almost mandatory, Jim Jeffries, Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Ali, Holmes, in fact just about every heavyweight champion has done the same thing, with the exception of Foreman and Marciano.

They always come back 1 time too many, and nearly always lose, If Lewis wins this one, he will be bucking a trend.

Exactly.

But the rules are different when applied to Lewis.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 19 Jan 2004, 06:49

Yes it's strange isn't it. It's fine for Ali to get beaten by Leon Spinks, but if Lewis loses to the far more dangerous Klitchsko, somehow it 'ruins' his legacy.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 19 Jan 2004, 07:07

The problem as I see it is that Lewis is facing someone in Klitschko that is better than nearly all the guys he's ever fought before. He must get a conclusive win over this guy.

And I for one believe he will, even at his advanced fighting age.

tolstoy · Post by **tolstoy** » 19 Jan 2004, 07:09

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Yes it's strange isn't it. It's fine for Ali to get beaten by Leon Spinks, but if Lewis loses to the far more dangerous Klitchsko, somehow it 'ruins' his legacy.

Yes, I totally agree. There are so many people in this forum that are very unforgiving toward Lewis. In some ways he can do nothing right by them and I, for one, am sick and tired of hearing their negative comments. I'm dead against him sitting on his belts and I would much prefer him to announce his future intentions publicly but his acievements speak for themselves.

Even if he were to lose the rematch against Vitali, he would still emerge with extra credit in my view for even taking the fight when he knows in his heart he is wel past his peak.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 19 Jan 2004, 07:15

For me if lewis loses, it's no big deal, he's the 2nd oldest heavyweight champion ever after Foreman, old men lose fights, that's what happens.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 19 Jan 2004, 07:32

Can I just ask, when in everyones opinion was Lewis's peak?

I don't think he's slipped that much. Against Tyson (well, a 3-round version of Tyson) he looked pretty much as fit and sharp as he ever has and that was only a year before Klitschko.

I believe Lewis will beat Vitali decisively next time, but if he doesn't it can't all be blamed on that big 39.

mrbassie · Post by **mrbassie** » 19 Jan 2004, 07:45

I think he's declined, albeit very gradually, since he fought Holyfield the first time.

mrbassie · Post by **mrbassie** » 19 Jan 2004, 07:52

Also, I think Lewis is very capable of knocking Vit out, Vit did well to take those uppercuts but his legs were stiffened by Lewis' punches a number of times.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 19 Jan 2004, 07:57

Debatable really, I think either the Tua or 1st Holyfield fight. I think the Tyson fight possibly flattered him a little. His display against Rahman in the 2nd fight was pretty impressive too.

It's when Lewis is under pressure, like the Klitchsko fight that he shows his age. He slapped Tyson about like a naughty child in a jesuit school, there really was nothing coming back.

You have to say, that of all the long-reigning heavyweight champions, Lewis has declined the least over time, Holmes is close, but he wasn't good enough to be champion past his peak. Perhaps though that says more about Holmes' era than anything else.

hitman_hatton1 · Post by **hitman_hatton1** » 19 Jan 2004, 18:26

i think the key to lewis' longevity is his dedication he looks after himself so well therefore his body hasn't really let him down yet

i think lewis's peak was in the mid 90's 95-97.