Lennox Lewis (for the Oldies' / History buffs).

[stujones]

Been watching a fair amount of Lennox Lewis recently - for those calling this era a "golden age" of Heavyweight boxing, please watch Lewis (who was quite ridiculed at the time) - completely different level all together from the big three. Much quicker than Fury, and yes for my money, hit a damn sight harder than BOTH Joshua and Wilder.... Anyway I digress.

Couple of questions - what happened with the Panos Eliadas (Panix Promotions) thing. I always thought they discontinued their association far earlier than they did. I saw Lewis vs Botha and noticed it was Panix Promotions event - I don't know why but I thought they severed ties after McCall 1 (or around that time, when Lewis camped in the US). How many fights was Lewis solely managed / promoted by Maloney.

Speaking of Lewis vs Botha, my next question was - WTF was allegedly doing there..... seemed to be in Botha's camp. Did he have a managerial / promotion connection with Botha at some point. It is interesting watching it back, HBO (oh I miss HBO) were not scathing of Botha as a choice of opponent. Whilst they clearly made Lewis the favourite, Jim, Larry etc. all though Botha would be a hard nights work. Very different to the UK production which saw it as a coronation / homecoming a gimmie (which is how it turned out).

But yes, to the younger generation on here who think its all about the big three...... watch Lennox Lewis (and don't get me started on 1985-1989 Tyson).

[mickey1975]

Well, Frank co promoted it and owned the arena for a start.

[ALI]

Lewis would stop them all.

[orbtastic]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/2184973.stm

Panos lost his case against Lewis and walked away.

The same article says he bought his contract in '91 at which point he'd already been a pro for 2 years. Panix were formed in 93, I can't really remember what or how much Frank's involvement was but he was definitely co-promoting. Depends what you believe as to whether he walked or was sacked but there was definite tension. Panos was supposedly the main money man.

After the case he [Lewis] was with Main Events, I think?

Case reading here:

https://casetext.com/case/panix-promotions

[Ambling Alp II]

He was better than all three. Doubtful that Joshua would have gone anywhere near him.

[DrDuke]

Lewis was better not just than the today's threesome, but than anybody else ever.

[dapug]

Well, Frank co promoted it and owned the arena for a start.

Warren was the UK promoter of Botha (not co promoter) and he'd lost the London Arena at that stage.

[stujones]

It infuriates me that people call Deontay Wilder the biggest puncher of all time. What is impressive about Wilder is his ability to land KO blows late in fights, but I really do think he isn't in Lewis' or Tyson's league for power, let alone Foreman. The fact that so many do go rounds with him is testament for this.

[Steveh583]

Lennox was brilliant. Prob top five all time heavy

[Onetimeonly]

It infuriates me that people call Deontay Wilder the biggest puncher of all time. What is impressive about Wilder is his ability to land KO blows late in fights, but I really do think he isn't in Lewis' or Tyson's league for power, let alone Foreman. The fact that so many do go rounds with him is testament for this.

He's also knocking out guys that couldn't go 12 with holyfield. Lewis was great, anywhere from 3 to 8 all time. I'd have him 7th.

[polecateddy]

I think Lewis did more or less face fighters of equal ability to the 'big three.'

Henry Akinwande = Fury. Lots of arm entanglements.
Shannon Briggs = Wilder. Some stingers landed early but taken apart eventually.
Michael Grant = Joshua. A proper schooling!

[stujones]

I think Lewis did more or less face fighters of equal ability to the 'big three.'

Henry Akinwande = Fury. Lots of arm entanglements.
Shannon Briggs = Wilder. Some stingers landed early but taken apart eventually.
Michael Grant = Joshua. A proper schooling!

To be fair I think the current "big 3" are better than those three - but I can see the analogy.

[jameswilson]

Briggs was young and roided to the tits and still Lennox lifted him off his feet.

[paddy chavez]

I doubt many think anyone now was in Lennox's skill level BUT he did get banged out twice by fighters well below his level .
I do think Lennox takes AJ and Wilder out in 3 rds and Fury in 8/9

[oogiebe]

I think Lewis did more or less face fighters of equal ability to the 'big three.'

Henry Akinwande = Fury. Lots of arm entanglements.
Shannon Briggs = Wilder. Some stingers landed early but taken apart eventually.
Michael Grant = Joshua. A proper schooling!

if we must make comps, I'd put Bruno as AJ; Ruddock as Wilder; can't think of anyone for Fury.

[TheLeprechaun]

Watch his fight with Michael Grant to see how a fight with Fury, Joshua or Wilder would go

[jamesmcdonnell]

Grant looked utterly shocked at how little regard Lewis had.

People say Lewis would have struggled against the even bigger men of today, but in his prime, he battered three very dangerous big men in Ruddock, Grant and Golota, all 3 of whom took a real shelling.

[margaret thatcher]

Mike Grant lol

[TheLeprechaun]

I think Joshua and Wilder could well have been done in 40 seconds like Golota if Lewis came out in the same mood. He blasted out of the gate that night and gave a severe hiding to Golota who looked like he hardly knew what hit him on the floor. I think Lewis didn't want to hang around with a lunatic like Golota so came out with the full intention of blasting Golota out in quick fashion.

As for Fury, I think he would have very very little to worry Lewis. It would once again depend on Lewis' mood but I could see an early night.

Of course Lewis was capable of stinkers himself but generally won every round doing so.

[Coco]

Mike Grant lol

Michael Grant to Lennox Lewis is like Gary Cornish to Anthony Joshua

[margaret thatcher]

Lennox was great but people selectively chose his best performances and make things quicker and easier for him in hypotheticals than they often actually were.. That's a reoccuring theme with hypotheticals though, people are so committed to picking the most decisive results possible when even loads of great fighters had so many boring/lackluster/surprisingly compeittive fights over not exactly great opponents

[oogiebe]

Lennox was great but people selectively chose his best performances and make things quicker and easier for him in hypotheticals than they often actually were.. That's a reoccuring theme with hypotheticals though, people are so committed to picking the most decisive results possible when even loads of great fighters had so many boring/lackluster/surprisingly compeittive fights over not exactly great opponents

Loved LL but you are right. Notice how no one ever mentions his fight with Ray Mercer. Or that he KO'd Bruno after being behind on the cards.

[Autobarn]

Well, Frank co promoted it and owned the arena for a start.

He always wanted a piece ofLennox and this was the closest he was going to get.

[Twinkle Toes]

Lewis was a hell of a fighter, and for now he doesn't get the credit.

He fought everyone and beat them all.

He'd comfortably beat the current top 3 and I agree, we are not in a golden age of heavyweights. Load of bollocks that is.

[mickey1975]

Just ignore him getting banged out, twice, going life and death with Mercer, boring fights with Tua and that Croation guy, getting the benefit of the controversy of his first fight with Holyfield in the rematch....
Yet nobody can do 40 seconds with him now! The shell of Mike Tyson did a lot more than that!