Lennox Lewis vs.....

[polecateddy]

I think the brother's are obviously smart trainers. I would imagine if they actually had a Lennox Lewis present in their era, they would have pulled out all the stops to get a result. It would have forced them to a higher level. You could imagine a series of fights where perhaps Lennox does indeed get upset in one or two of them. I don't believe it would have been a white-wash each time, because the brother's would be adapting their game.

[The Great John L]

I think the brother's are obviously smart trainers. I would imagine if they actually had a Lennox Lewis present in their era, they would have pulled out all the stops to get a result. It would have forced them to a higher level. You could imagine a series of fights where perhaps Lennox does indeed get upset in one or two of them. I don't believe it would have been a white-wash each time, because the brother's would be adapting their game.

If any two reasonably talented HWs fought often enough there will always be some upsets, and as you noted, different results from improved gameplans. No one is unbeatable night after night for years if they fight a high degree of competition, which is why I'm always impressed with the guys who survive for years beating the best in their division(s) even iwth a loss or two over the guys who fight mostly soft except for a handful of great wins.

I'm sure if the Klitschkos each fought LL 20 times they would each win a few, although it's hard to imagine Wlad not getting felled quickly by the breeze from Lennox's right hands that miss. But in 20 fights I'm sure there would have been at least example where he would have been able to land on LL before he got stomped.

[Rover]

I'd have a hard time seeing Vitali ever beat Lewis given what condition Lewis showed up in for their fight.

[polecateddy]

I'd have a hard time seeing Vitali ever beat Lewis given what condition Lewis showed up in for their fight.

I think Vitali would always give Lennox a hard distance fight, cut eye non-withstanding. Like I said if he loses the first fight say 116-112, maybe next time he changes tactics. Both camps were smart enough to encourage improvements. And Vitali you would imagine would maintain a very high motivational level in his approach.

[The Great John L]

I'd have a hard time seeing Vitali ever beat Lewis given what condition Lewis showed up in for their fight.

Lewis got stopped by Rahman and McCall for chrissakes. Why is it such a stretch to envision Lewis losing to a Klitschko in an upset. I think Lewis proved that he was better then either Klitschko with his resume, but he also proved that he could lose an odd fight, which is true of any fighter.

If two quality fighters fight 15 or 20 times over 5 years sh*t happens, as evidenced in boxings past. It's not like Lewis was a perfect fighting machine, or that Vitali was some stumble bum. Vitali is certainly a better fighter than either Rahman or McCall.

A young 200+ lb Sonny Liston got his jaw broken and lost a decision to a journeyman LH very shortly after scoring two wins over a HW that was regarded as a fringe contender. In retrospect, that result seems pretty hard to envision as well, but it happened.

[zorndeslammes]

But, but, Lewis got complacent! In a theoretical scenario where he fights Vitali or Wladimir, you can just erase that and pretend that these aren't humans but video game characters with a set of mystery values for punching power, defense, aggression, chin, etc. Because, naturally, that is how you should judge fighters.

[Rover]

I'd have a hard time seeing Vitali ever beat Lewis given what condition Lewis showed up in for their fight.

Lewis got stopped by Rahman and McCall for chrissakes. Why is it such a stretch to envision Lewis losing to a Klitschko in an upset. I think Lewis proved that he was better then either Klitschko with his resume, but he also proved that he could lose an odd fight, which is true of any fighter.

If two quality fighters fight 15 or 20 times over 5 years sh*t happens, as evidenced in boxings past. It's not like Lewis was a perfect fighting machine, or that Vitali was some stumble bum. Vitali is certainly a better fighter than either Rahman or McCall.

A young 200+ lb Sonny Liston got his jaw broken and lost a decision to a journeyman LH very shortly after scoring two wins over a HW that was regarded as a fringe contender. In retrospect, that result seems pretty hard to envision as well, but it happened.

I could see Wlad Rahmaning Lewis. Vitali hit an out-of-shape Lewis with shots and still couldn't do what Rahman did. I think Wlad could because he hits harder.

[alval04]

Neither. Lewis was always too big and powerful. And the braver Evander was the easier he'd be to KO