Questions regarding the amateur career of Lennox Lewis

Chopping Right · Post by **Chopping Right** » 11 Jun 2005, 08:43

A couple of questions on Lewis' career in the vest:

1. How close and controversial was his decision to eventual gold medallist Tyrell Biggs at the 1984 Olympics? Has anyone seen that fight?

2. How close did Lewis come to fighting Cuban great Teofilo Stevenson? I know they both fought in the 1986 Worlds in Reno, but Lewis lost in his first fight whilst Stevenson took the gold. I think that was the only tournament they both entered.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 14 Jun 2005, 04:18

I could get those fights if i went canvassing the local gyms here, but Lewis didn't start fighting good until a couple years after that.

Biggs was a really good amateur back then, the best in the world.

Wasn't it Biggs who put a beating on Tyson and kept him off the Olympic team, i think it was, need to check that.

locoxelbox · Post by **locoxelbox** » 14 Jun 2005, 10:59

It was Henry Tillman who beat Tyson (at least once controversially) and went to the Olympics.

Biggs won a 5-0 dec. over Lewis. Haven't heard it was controversial.

Hesketh Vampire · Post by **Hesketh Vampire** » 14 Jun 2005, 13:07

BADBLOOD wrote:Biggs was a really good amateur back then, the best in the world.

He was the best super-heavy in Los Angeles in 1984, but he probably wasn't the best in the world. Teofilo Stevenson had beaten him in 1982, 83 and 84 but Cuba boycotted the 84 Olympics and Biggs did not have to face him in LA. In fairness to Biggs I believe the 84 loss was the closest of the three.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 14 Jun 2005, 18:41

Hesketh wrote:
BADBLOOD wrote:Biggs was a really good amateur back then, the best in the world.
He was the best super-heavy in Los Angeles in 1984, but he probably wasn't the best in the world. Teofilo Stevenson had beaten him in 1982, 83 and 84 but Cuba boycotted the 84 Olympics and Biggs did not have to face him in LA. In fairness to Biggs I believe the 84 loss was the closest of the three.

You guys are correct

It is fair to say that about Biggs, but fighters improve very quickly in those years 18-25 as amateurs, Stevenson and other Cubans remained amateurs well into their prime years, while NAmerican fighters jump right into the Pro's after any Olympic success.

Biggs was a very highly touted Pro prospect, probably the biggest of his time, i remember, he was supposed to be a great heavyweight champion as a pro, unfortunately for him, he ran into this guy Tyson, many thought Biggs would win, being an undefeated up and coming Olympic Gold medalist.

Tillman, i think Mitch "Blood" Green also beat him, but Tyson beat the hell out of him in the parking lot, Green's head was swollen shut, he had no eyes and no mouth, he looked like a ball.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 15 Jun 2005, 03:55

The decision over Lewis was fair & square, but Lewis knocked him out in the pros in 91.

How did Blood Green come up? The fightr with Tyson was at Dapper Dans in Harlem. Tyson hit Blood with 1 right hand, broke his hand, and Blood didnt go down.

Did swell his eye up pretty good but Tyson was wearing massive heavy gold rings.

Blood has a concrete-lined skull.

motownfighter · Post by **motownfighter** » 05 Jul 2005, 23:25

What about craig payne who fought and beat biggs in the Olympic trials one night only to come back the veary next night and lose in a second match to biggs. Also, payne went on to beat stevenson witch made him the #1 amateur in the world. He made it all the way to the Olympic training center and did it in only 3 years. Did i mention that he knocked out mike tyson in the national golden gloves tournament? we must not forget that when we talk about who was #1 in that era that we have to look at all angles. In my opinion, craig payne was hands down the #1 amateur of that era.

locoxelbox · Post by **locoxelbox** » 06 Jul 2005, 01:32

I read somewhere that Payne was very talented but came in out of shape often and had a disastrous pro career.
Payne won silver at the 1983 World Cup (1-4 dec. loss to Francesco Damiani in the final) in Rome. Sounds pretty close at worst. But if he lost to Biggs and Damiani (who also beat Stevenson) he was No 3 at best, right?

By the way, the Cubans claim Stevensons 3-2 loss to Payne was controversial (but they use to do that).

Hesketh Vampire · Post by **Hesketh Vampire** » 06 Jul 2005, 16:41

I gather Payne was extremely talented but a shocking trainer, as evidenced by the 6 year gap between his first and second pro fights.

http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=005421

motownfighter · Post by **motownfighter** » 06 Jul 2005, 21:33

Payne was a veary good amateur fighter but for one reason or another his pro career just didnt pan out. I can tell you that he is looking for fights right now and is still active with his training. him and I have the same trainer ( Paul soucy ) and i see him regularly at the gym.

locoxelbox · Post by **locoxelbox** » 06 Jul 2005, 23:06

What happened to him, trouble with the law?

Hesketh Vampire · Post by **Hesketh Vampire** » 07 Jul 2005, 02:45

motownfighter wrote:Payne was a veary good amateur fighter but for one reason or another his pro career just didnt pan out. I can tell you that he is looking for fights right now and is still active with his training. him and I have the same trainer ( Paul soucy ) and i see him regularly at the gym.

Is this definitely the same guy? Payne would be 44 years old now and hasn't fought since 2001.

Venceremos · Post by **Venceremos** » 07 Jul 2005, 13:15

I heard that Payne has some discipinary's troubles in his professional career. About him, I have this fragment of a Pinklon Thomas's Interview:

Q: In a successful career that lasted almost 15 years, who do you feel was your toughest opponent and why?

A: I would have to say Craig Payne for the IBO Heavyweight Title that I made a comeback for in 1992. He was about 280 LBS and 6’2. He had fought a lot of the big guys who were tough which make you tough in most cases. In fact, at that time, he was a sparring partner for George Foreman who kicked him out of his camp after about a week of sparring with him. Do you know how George never sat down between rounds? Well, Payne did the same thing for 12 rounds against me. That was intimidating to me, but it caused me to give it my all.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 07 Jul 2005, 14:03

I saw Payne fight on TV a few years ago. He was in very poor shape but from time to time you could really see brief glimpses of real class.

motownfighter · Post by **motownfighter** » 07 Jul 2005, 21:09

payne had his own issues during his pro career. i know the man personally but not enough to coment on his struggles.the problem he is haveing is trying to find a fight outside of the state of michigan. state law requires that after loseing a number of fights in a row, you have to win one out of state before you can fight in michigan again. Also, i spoke with my trainer today and he still has the rankins sheet and article that says payne was #1 in the world after beating stevenson. as soon as i get a copy i will scan it and email it to whoever is interested. i will say this about craig, he is a stand up guy and the info that he has given me about my own training and style is irraplaceable. i am 6ft 2in tall and 152 lb. and iv spared with him quite a few times. now obviously he doesnt put full power into his punches but he is definitly one of the reasons why i can take a good solid shot (or 4) and keep on punching.

Questions regarding the amateur career of Lennox Lewis

Questions regarding the amateur career of Lennox Lewis

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