Lewis Hints Comeback

Smit · Post by **Smit** » 13 Dec 2004, 07:03

Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has hinted he could be tempted out of retirement by a mouth-watering rematch with WBC title holder Vitali Klitschko.

Lewis hung up his gloves after a sixth-round stoppage win over the Ukrainian in June 2003, when Klitschko was forced to retire on cuts.

But after watching Klitschko demolish Danny Williams in Las Vegas on Saturday night, Lewis admitted he would like to avenge his fellow Briton.

"Watching it stirred something inside me," said Lewis. "I am only nine months from being fully fight fit and seeing what happened to Danny made me want to step in.

"I wanted to tap him on the shoulder and say 'Sit down, mate, let me take over and finish it for you. Let me show you how it is done'.

"I really felt like jumping in the ring, as when I retired all the B-class fighters like Chris Byrd and Hasim Rahman suddenly became A-class.

"Those two may be able to give Klitschko a decent contest. But what he really needs is someone tall and good. I wonder who that could be," he said.

Williams, meanwhile, has vowed to carry on boxing in the hope of securing another world title shot.

"I want to continue," said the former British champion. "Look at Frank Bruno, he lost three times in world title fights and then finally got his title."

i seriously doubt it but ohwell... one can only hope.

lirva33 · Post by **lirva33** » 13 Dec 2004, 07:16

Can't see Lewis beating Vitali. He left the sport so he didn't have to fight Vitali again. If he was going to come back, it would be for a Bowe fight, which could happen depending on how good Bowe actually is now.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 13 Dec 2004, 07:25

I sincerely hope Lewis is just toying with the idea, if he was going to fight Vitali, he should have done it as soon after their first fight as possible. At his age a long layoff is a disaster. He took 3 rounds to find any timing last time, and this time around, he would take even longer and get his big ass knocked out.

Too late to come back now, and not enough desire and hunger. I think Lewis wouldn't get himself in proper shape, and Vitali is right as his peak now.

BubiScholz · Post by **BubiScholz** » 13 Dec 2004, 07:37

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I sincerely hope Lewis is just toying with the idea, if he was going to fight Vitali, he should have done it as soon after their first fight as possible. At his age a long layoff is a disaster. He took 3 rounds to find any timing last time, and this time around, he would take even longer and get his big ass knocked out.

Too late to come back now, and not enough desire and hunger. I think Lewis wouldn't get himself in proper shape, and Vitali is right as his peak now.

I agree with you, James. Vitali would now knock him out.

RC · Post by RC » 13 Dec 2004, 07:40

If anyone saw him on BBC Sports personality he looked massive, round faced and well into retirement. Let's just hope it was the adrenalin of the big fight speaking

knockout artist · Post by **knockout artist** » 13 Dec 2004, 07:56

BubiScholz wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:I sincerely hope Lewis is just toying with the idea, if he was going to fight Vitali, he should have done it as soon after their first fight as possible. At his age a long layoff is a disaster. He took 3 rounds to find any timing last time, and this time around, he would take even longer and get his big ass knocked out.

Too late to come back now, and not enough desire and hunger. I think Lewis wouldn't get himself in proper shape, and Vitali is right as his peak now.
I agree with you, James. Vitali would now knock him out.

Agreed.

Vitali would slaughter Lewis.

Sweet P · Post by **Sweet P** » 13 Dec 2004, 08:26

It depends how motivated he is for the fight if he trained hard for 9 months like he said it could be an interesting fight i would put my money on Lewis if he came in at 112-113 kgs.(maybe i am thinking of the Lewis that fought 5 years ago but i think he has it in him as he is a very motivated person when he puts his mind to it).
If he come back just for a payday he will be beaten easily though.

Mukel · Post by **Mukel** » 13 Dec 2004, 08:27

If Lewis come's in better shape than in his previous fight with Klit then he would win, I dont see anyway Klitschko can beat Lewis that has come in good shape, but can Lewis get into good shape again?

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 13 Dec 2004, 08:51

I agree with Boxing Gloves. Lewis was poor against Klitchsko, was he shot or was it his poor prep. He would probably have to train like never before to get down to not only fighting shape but also fighting fit, the sparring would have to be almost like unnoficial fights to get him sharp. However, it is possible (remember Tito). Lewis said it would take nine months, and I would say that is a good time frame, again it was nine months from when Tito officially said he was coming back to his fight with Mayorga. Those who remember Tito's extra conditioning when watching Spinks vs Mayorga a year ago thought it would never happen.

J · Post by J » 13 Dec 2004, 09:01

i cant see it, i think he is just winding vitali up.

of course when you sit ringside and see a guy you have bene in the ring beat up a fellow coutnryman, it will "stir something inside". it stiurred something inside of me too seeing Danny take that beating and keep getting up.

just cant see it happening. I hope im write too.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 13 Dec 2004, 09:10

Boxing_Gloves wrote:If Lewis come's in better shape than in his previous fight with Klit then he would win, I dont see anyway Klitschko can beat Lewis that has come in good shape, but can Lewis get into good shape again?

Lewis would be nearly 39 in 9 month's time, his last performance would be almost 2 years ago, and he won't have done 12 rounds for almost 3 years.

He is probably over 300 lbs now, hasn't been doing any significanty exercise.

I thought Lewis' reflexes looked pretty gone last time out, his timing was atrocious, and he took an age to get going.

Vitali has improved since then, and has definetly refined his style successfully, he is brimming with confidence, and I think he would beat the shit out of Lewis.

The only chance Lewis would have is to have 2 tune up fights first, and there is no way Lewis will be up for 3 more training camps.

He's making the same mistake Larry Holmes made if he thinks he can take Vitali on again, coming back just to prove a point, not worth it, don't do it.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 13 Dec 2004, 09:12

stujones wrote:I agree with Boxing Gloves. Lewis was poor against Klitchsko, was he shot or was it his poor prep. He would probably have to train like never before to get down to not only fighting shape but also fighting fit, the sparring would have to be almost like unnoficial fights to get him sharp. However, it is possible (remember Tito). Lewis said it would take nine months, and I would say that is a good time frame, again it was nine months from when Tito officially said he was coming back to his fight with Mayorga. Those who remember Tito's extra conditioning when watching Spinks vs Mayorga a year ago thought it would never happen.

Tito is not 38.....

Foggy · Post by **Foggy** » 13 Dec 2004, 09:17

I think Lewis has more sense than to come back into the fight game, even though i like Lewis i'd be gutted to see him in the ring again, just let go, move on, let the other guys come through, please don't make the wrong decision Lewis.

knockout artist · Post by **knockout artist** » 13 Dec 2004, 09:20

jamesmcdonnell wrote:
stujones wrote:I agree with Boxing Gloves. Lewis was poor against Klitchsko, was he shot or was it his poor prep. He would probably have to train like never before to get down to not only fighting shape but also fighting fit, the sparring would have to be almost like unnoficial fights to get him sharp. However, it is possible (remember Tito). Lewis said it would take nine months, and I would say that is a good time frame, again it was nine months from when Tito officially said he was coming back to his fight with Mayorga. Those who remember Tito's extra conditioning when watching Spinks vs Mayorga a year ago thought it would never happen.
Tito is not 38.....

Nor is Lewis. He's 39

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 13 Dec 2004, 09:44

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 13 Dec 2004, 10:04

knockout artist wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:
stujones wrote:I agree with Boxing Gloves. Lewis was poor against Klitchsko, was he shot or was it his poor prep. He would probably have to train like never before to get down to not only fighting shape but also fighting fit, the sparring would have to be almost like unnoficial fights to get him sharp. However, it is possible (remember Tito). Lewis said it would take nine months, and I would say that is a good time frame, again it was nine months from when Tito officially said he was coming back to his fight with Mayorga. Those who remember Tito's extra conditioning when watching Spinks vs Mayorga a year ago thought it would never happen.
Tito is not 38.....
Nor is Lewis. He's 39

True, I just think a motivated Lewis could become as good as the fighter who fought Klitschko, and I don't think Klitshcko is any better than the guy who lost to Lennox. So its a question of whether that lumbering version of Lewis would have beaten Klitschko. I still think yes.

jomothepure · Post by **jomothepure** » 13 Dec 2004, 10:11

Heart says yes, head says no.

Agree with RC that Lennox looked to be having an affair with Mr Kipling on Sports Personality last night.

He would have to be utterly committed and meticulous to training to get anywhere near Klitchko on that evidence

ABA Boxing · Post by **ABA Boxing** » 13 Dec 2004, 10:14

Lewis will never come back! He has said no no no

Timmbo · Post by **Timmbo** » 13 Dec 2004, 10:38

Anyway,whats there to prove he's already defeated Klitchsko fair & square no matter how the nut-huggers spin it.A win is a win!
As JamesMcdonnell said earlier"Lewis made his face look like chopped liver!"End of story.

BubiScholz · Post by **BubiScholz** » 13 Dec 2004, 11:01

jamesmcdonnell wrote:
Boxing_Gloves wrote:If Lewis come's in better shape than in his previous fight with Klit then he would win, I dont see anyway Klitschko can beat Lewis that has come in good shape, but can Lewis get into good shape again?
Lewis would be nearly 39 in 9 month's time, his last performance would be almost 2 years ago, and he won't have done 12 rounds for almost 3 years.

He is probably over 300 lbs now, hasn't been doing any significanty exercise.

I thought Lewis' reflexes looked pretty gone last time out, his timing was atrocious, and he took an age to get going.

Vitali has improved since then, and has definetly refined his style successfully, he is brimming with confidence, and I think he would beat the shit out of Lewis.

The only chance Lewis would have is to have 2 tune up fights first, and there is no way Lewis will be up for 3 more training camps.

He's making the same mistake Larry Holmes made if he thinks he can take Vitali on again, coming back just to prove a point, not worth it, don't do it.

good and realistic post. let Lewis be retired. he won vs Vitali. He was beating Holyfield, Tyson and the Tuaman. now he is too old to come back vs Vitali. another epoche has begun.

J · Post by J » 13 Dec 2004, 11:17

AMEN MATE

, AND AMEN TO LEWIS CAREER HE HAS NOTHING FURTHER TO PROVE.
I FOR ONE WOULD LOSE A LOT OF RESPECT IF HE COMES BACK.

glittermonkey · Post by **glittermonkey** » 13 Dec 2004, 12:28

J wrote:AMEN MATE , AND AMEN TO LEWIS CAREER HE HAS NOTHING FURTHER TO PROVE.
I FOR ONE WOULD LOSE A LOT OF RESPECT IF HE COMES BACK.

Don't lie. You'd know you'd love it if he came back.

Hopefully the whole thing is just talk. He's already proved himself to be the best of his generation, he fought everyone there was to fight (apart from Bowe, who I firmly believe wanted no part of Lewis at all) and beat them all. Why tarnish his reputation and legacy to go up against a man he's already stopped in six rounds?

knockout artist · Post by **knockout artist** » 13 Dec 2004, 12:30

BubiScholz wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:
Boxing_Gloves wrote:If Lewis come's in better shape than in his previous fight with Klit then he would win, I dont see anyway Klitschko can beat Lewis that has come in good shape, but can Lewis get into good shape again?
Lewis would be nearly 39 in 9 month's time, his last performance would be almost 2 years ago, and he won't have done 12 rounds for almost 3 years.

He is probably over 300 lbs now, hasn't been doing any significanty exercise.

I thought Lewis' reflexes looked pretty gone last time out, his timing was atrocious, and he took an age to get going.

Lewis turns 40 in September 2005. Too Old, Too fat, Too Grey.

Vitali has improved since then, and has definetly refined his style successfully, he is brimming with confidence, and I think he would beat the shit out of Lewis.

The only chance Lewis would have is to have 2 tune up fights first, and there is no way Lewis will be up for 3 more training camps.

He's making the same mistake Larry Holmes made if he thinks he can take Vitali on again, coming back just to prove a point, not worth it, don't do it.
good and realistic post. let Lewis be retired. he won vs Vitali. He was beating Holyfield, Tyson and the Tuaman. now he is too old to come back vs Vitali. another epoche has begun.

J · Post by J » 13 Dec 2004, 13:05

glittermonkey wrote:
J wrote:AMEN MATE , AND AMEN TO LEWIS CAREER HE HAS NOTHING FURTHER TO PROVE.
I FOR ONE WOULD LOSE A LOT OF RESPECT IF HE COMES BACK.
Don't lie. You'd know you'd love it if he came back.

Hopefully the whole thing is just talk. He's already proved himself to be the best of his generation, he fought everyone there was to fight (apart from Bowe, who I firmly believe wanted no part of Lewis at all) and beat them all. Why tarnish his reputation and legacy to go up against a man he's already stopped in six rounds?

i wouldnt mate... really i wouldnt despite being his biggest fan.

Chris W 1982 · Post by **Chris W 1982** » 13 Dec 2004, 13:18

If Lewis comes back then its almost a guarentee that he will reunite with Manny Steward. The Kronk legend has been working closely with the Klitschko brothers recently and he would be able to provide Lennox wih a detailed dossier on Dr Ironfist. Whatever Lewis's condition this remains the most compelling fight at Heavyweight.