Haye vs Lewis (popularity - not fighting each other)

[pnejon]

I dont know what it is but dont seem to get as hyped up for a Haye fight like i used to for the big Lewis fights.

Do you ever think Haye will step into Lewis's shoes?

[Kilsby]

I think Haye is much more entertaining than Lewis.

Lewis never really hit it off with the British Public & was always WELL behind Frank Bruno in the popularity stakes. Although granted his popularity has grown since he's retired.

Maybe your seem to member Lewis fights with more anticipation bcoz he was fighting people like Tyson & Holyfield?

Whereas Haye hasn't had this yet.....

[mkirkhope]

I looked forward to Lewis's fights ten times more than this or any other Haye fight.

Part of that is that I just like Lennox more as a person and as a boxer, and also because Lewis was fighting big names and in exciting places (Vegas etc).

I don't agree at all that Haye (HW version) is more exciting than Lennox. I think Haye has maybe seemed more exciting because he's been fighting bums like Audley, but I think if he had to fight the guys Lewis fought he'd be putting in a performance like his Valuev one every time which would not be exciting at all to watch. At least Lewis stood and fought instead or circling the ring all the time and throwing an occasional punch.

[dookus]

I looked forward to Lewis's fights ten times more than this or any other Haye fight.

Part of that is that I just like Lennox more as a person and as a boxer, and also because Lewis was fighting big names and in exciting places (Vegas etc).

I don't agree at all that Haye (HW version) is more exciting than Lennox. I think Haye has maybe seemed more exciting because he's been fighting bums like Audley, but I think if he had to fight the guys Lewis fought he'd be putting in a performance like his Valuev one every time which would not be exciting at all to watch. At least Lewis stood and fought instead or circling the ring all the time and throwing an occasional punch.

True. The criticism Lewis got for his performance against Tua seems laughable when you compare it with Haye-Valuev.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Haye has never done anything to match Lewis' destruction of Golota and Grant. Both were big powerful dangerous men, and Lewis just eat them up.

[dbf]

Lewis physically measured up to all the big heavyweights of his time, Haye is (in heavyweight boxing terms) considerably smaller.

As for popularity, Lenny kept beating the best and at the end of the day, thats what fans liked. Haye is trying his best to do the same in a time where admittedly there are less quality opponents about.

[stevek3lly]

Problem with Haye is he will quit before many more big fight nights. Its a shame as Haye is so entertaining just not had enough big fights.

[Karl Jade]

Lewis. He was the better fighter, was in better fights and I liked the way he went about things pre-fight. "Ask you sister" was a single line and it impacted harder than David's entire pre-fight routine. Lewis had the measure of opponents. Eff me, VK was obsessed with Lennox for years after suffering a legitimate defeat.

On Lennox's best night, he would have beaten any heavyweight in history on their best night. Louis, Holmes and Clay were impressive but Lennie is the greatest. The haters will try and shoot me down but I know I'm right and so do you.

Completely agree. His physical, technical and mental attributes put him right at the top of the tree. It'll be a long time before a HW with Lewis' class comes along. There's certainly nothing comparable to him out there now.

[Craig14]

Lewis still got knocked out by two mediocre heavyweights. I know he beat them both in re-matches but still he was pretty methodical and defensive in the end - He did turn out to be a great champion though, probably had another 3-4 years left in him. Haye is more charisimatic and though not asgood alot better to watch (he had a stinker against the big russian though) but apart from that can't remember a bad fight he's been in. I'm buzzing for saturday.

[leforge]

Lewis still got knocked out by two mediocre heavyweights. I know he beat them both in re-matches but still he was pretty methodical and defensive in the end - He did turn out to be a great champion though, probably had another 3-4 years left in him. Haye is more charisimatic and though not asgood alot better to watch (he had a stinker against the big russian though) but apart from that can't remember a bad fight he's been in. I'm buzzing for saturday.

Audley Harrison, Isamel Abdul for two more stinkers Haye been in.

[Craig14]

Yeah forgot about the Harrison fight (I wasn't back for it but I've seen it) There was hardly a punch thrown in the 1st round.

[leforge]

Yeah forgot about the Harrison fight (I wasn't back for it but I've seen it) There was hardly a punch thrown in the 1st round.

Or the second round! I like haye but do think he has been overrated by lot of people!

[yiddo14]

Lewis, along with Eubank, is my fav fighter so no contest for me.

Pretty intense chap. The build ups to his fights always had more edge than any of Hayes.

I like Haye but the closer it gets to fight night the more I think Wlad will do a number on him

[bigjack]

When lewis fought i used to watch all the fights live and sometimes go to work after having had 2 hours sleep,he had class inside and outside of the ring,fought the best around at the time,never backed out of a challenge or 'got injured',used to knock people out for the count,was a superb boxer and a decent man.Haye has turned me from a fan into someone who wants him to get badly ko'd,i am going out on saturday evening,something i would never have done when lennox was around and to be honest i couldn't care less about him.