Holyfield-Lewis I Scorecards Revisited

[Jack 1000]

Let's revisit what almost all boxing people consider an atrocious decision. The "draw" given in the first Lennox Lewis-Evander Holyfield fight. For the record, even in giving Holyfield the benefit of the doubt in close rounds, I had Lewis comfortably ahead at 116-112. Judge Stan Christodoulou was the closest to reality with a score for Lewis at 116-113. Larry O'Connell, normally an excellent judge and ref somehow had that fight 115-115 and judge Jean Williams turned in one of the most atrocious cards, favoring Holyfield at 115-113. That decision to this day remains the worst all-time decision ever for a major world championship fight. Even worse, Ms. Williams gave the 5th round to Holyfield, a round that saw Lewis on the verge of almost being KO'd. Ref. Arthur Mercante Jr. when interviewed said he would have given a standing 8 count in that round had the rules for it applied. But Association of Boxing Commission Rules under which the championship match was fought did not allow a standing 8 count. Ms. Williams also commented that "She could only score the blows she saw, and that Lewis' back was turned to her for most of the round." She claimed that her view was blocked, but on HBO's replay of the fight, their cameras show that there was nothing obstructing her view.

It's been a decade since that travesty. Post your scorecards and your reasoning behind them.

Jack

[the rat]

You have the wrong juge it's Eugenia Wiliams, not Jean Williams

referee: Arthur Mercante Jr. | judge: Stanley Christodoulou 116-113 | judge: Eugenia Williams 113-115 | judge: Larry O'Connell 115-115 ~

[exittored]

Why dont you Revisit Holyfield-Lewis 2

Now that was a Fight that should have been called a Draw

Over the 2 Fights, a draw and a Lewis UD Victory was about right...just wrong way around.

[oliverfennell]

I watched it live with a few beers and some friends and didn't bother to score it as it happened, but remembered being totally stunned by the verdict. Watched it back the next day knowing what the result was and bending over backwards to give Holyfiweld rounds to see how the draw was possible, and still came out with 116-112.

Second fight was closer and I can see the irony that Lewis got the win in the closer fight, but I still think he deserved it. Im scored that one 115-113 on the night.

[GlobalBox]

I flew over for both fights and has Lewis winning the first by 4 rounds and the second by 2 rounds.

Remember sitting there stunned for a few minutes as the draw sank in at MSG and voiced my concerns despite being surrounded by American fans, all of a sudden there was this big hand on my shoulder and a booming yank voice said "Dog, this smells worse than the fish market and believe me that stinks real bad" He then proceeded to take me out on the town for the night and introduced me to some of his "ladies" as he called them, good night from what I can remember!

Anyway I digress, I think you would find it hard to find anyone who felt Holyfield got a draw in the first fight, so I think we can all agree it was a poor decision.

Regarding the second fight, I have always felt it was closer but never had any problem with Lewis getting the verdict, I felt Holyfield did what Holyfield always did and that is come on strong in a situation that looks dire, which is what most people felt his chances were after the first fight.

I cannot have any complaints against people scoring it a draw or edging Holyfield as I had Lewis 2 rounds up so if I have scored 2 rounds differently, you could have a Holyfield win.

The stats rarely lie for me and if memory serves Lewis landed 65 punches more than Holyfield in that second fight and I struggle to see how he did not deserve the win in this fight as well based on that.

They are still my best memories and I will always remember those nights.

[dempseyfire]

Bad decision but 115-113 for Evander is definitely not the worst scorecard ever for a major championship fight.

I had it 7-4-1 for Lennox . . .Lewis surely won more rounds but many rounds had not much happening, with Lennox throwing and landing more but not with bad intentions and Evander landing the 3 best punches of the round.

[bjermaine]

You have the wrong juge it's Eugenia Wiliams, not Jean Williams

referee: Arthur Mercante Jr. | judge: Stanley Christodoulou 116-113 | judge: Eugenia Williams 113-115 | judge: Larry O'Connell 115-115 ~

i think jean williams is eugenia williams. nothing like a name change to try and make everyone forget. i had lennox winning the first fight 10 rounds to 2. it wasn't close and it was probably the worst decision i've seen. i also had lennox winning the rematch 8-4.