Lennox Lewis: Early Stoppage - Takam Had Senses, Looked Strong!

[Ruthless-RKO]

The stoppage created a frenzy with the near 80,000 fans that packed Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. The loudly booed the ending.

Lewis could see their point of view. He wanted the fight to continue as well and saw no reason for the referee to step in at the moment the fight was waved off.

“Early stoppage,” Lewis told Boxing News. “There’s always something these days. Would have been nice just to let it play out one way or another. Takam still looked strong and with his senses! Very good test for AJ though … especially with the broken nose.”

At the same time, Lewis admits that Joshua needed this type of contest to gain further experience as a pro. He like that Joshua stayed composed after suffering when appeared to be a broken nose in the contest. Joshua has since confirmed it was only bruised.

“This was just the type of fight, experience and adversity that Anthony Joshua needed. He wasn’t at his best, but sometimes you won’t always be and it’s those times you have to find a way. Some fall apart after a broke nose. He remained composed and controlled fight,” Lewis said.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Saying that, I think Takam was a much needed fight, rather than Pulev.

[Enlightened-One]

“Early stoppage,” Lewis told Boxing News. “There’s always something these days. Would have been nice just to let it play out one way or another. Takam still looked strong and with his senses!”

Agree!

“This was just the type of fight, experience and adversity that Anthony Joshua needed. He wasn’t at his best, but sometimes you won’t always be and it’s those times you have to find a way.” Lewis said.

Agree!

[Ossyrules]

Lennox is right

[higgs88]

however right Lennox might be, i think his a prat, he wants Joshua to fail so he can be Britain's best ever HW (even though he represented Canada at the OG).

[Oiky]

I make Lennox right

Awful stoppage

[gilgamesh]

This is a correct statement

[Ruthless-RKO]

however right Lennox might be, i think his a prat, he wants Joshua to fail so he can be Britain's best ever HW (even though he represented Canada at the OG).

You can just sense it..

[jamamb]

it was obviously a bad stopapge

[Ossyrules]

however right Lennox might be, i think his a prat, he wants Joshua to fail so he can be Britain's best ever HW (even though he represented Canada at the OG).

I don’t pick up this vibe. I do think he gets slightly put out when things like that sky sports article debating Joshua as greatest heavy ever, as it shows a lack of appreciation and knowledge frankly.

If Joshua wins big fights and deserves the spot I doubt lewis will be gutted and hoping he had failed instead

[Kalan]

I think the statements "There's always something these days" and "It would be good to see it play out one way or the other" reveal Lewis's sentiments.

He's not entirely with Joshua. AJ fights all his fights in the UK and is a lot more popular than Lewis ever was.. Lewis fought his major fights in the US... and had a big upset KO loss in England to McCall.. AJ also criticized the stoppage -- he said "I can't control what the officials do."

[SpliffTannen]

Terrible stoppage imo. One of the worst I've seen in a long time. Takam deserved much better after his efforts.

[Ossyrules]

I really don’t think lewis is against Joshua at all. I think he is against the premature sensationalists that over play what Joshua has done and lack the knowledge of boxing history to see that Lewis had done much more

[Syntax Error]

Lennox has nailed it completely.

It was premature, but it was a good learning fight for Joshua.

Joshua has once again proved that he can cope with relative adversity.

He also got some more rounds under his belt, as he is still learning his trade, but because he is a champion & is one the PPV gravy train, he will only fight twice a year & will probably have no more than 30 fights in his career.