Lennox Lewis vs Muhammad Ali

[mayorcurley]

Lennox by KO. Round 8. Too big, too strong, too fast. Makes Liston look like a little kid and won't punch himself out like Foreman.

[gilgamesh]

I certainly don't think Lennox's speed would be one of his main assets in a fight with Ali, but I agree he'd beat him. He's sharp enough, smart enough and powerful enough to nullify a lot of Ali's advantages and take a UD.

[DrDuke]

I certainly don't think Lennox's speed would be one of his main assets in a fight with Ali, but I agree he'd beat him. He's sharp enough, smart enough and powerful enough to nullify a lot of Ali's advantages and take a UD.

I agree. Lewis about 8-4 or 9-6.

[scorpio83]

Sorry, but sometimes size don't matter to Ali and Lewis never fought anyone like Ali, who never fought any great big man with the size of Lewis, but Ali was quicker with speed in his prime and boxed Lewis on the outside, but landing quicker jabs and combinations to take a closed 15 round decision.

[gilgamesh]

Sorry, but sometimes size don't matter to Ali and Lewis never fought anyone like Ali, who never fought any great big man with the size of Lewis, but Ali was quicker with speed in his prime and boxed Lewis on the outside, but landing quicker jabs and combinations to take a closed 15 round decision.

Ken Norton knew how to box well enough to nullify Ali's movement, and use his size and strength effectively on him. If Norton could do that Lewis could do it better.

Ali wouldn't want to stay on the outside with Lewis. Lewis has a big reach advantage.

[DrDuke]

Sorry, but sometimes size don't matter to Ali and Lewis never fought anyone like Ali, who never fought any great big man with the size of Lewis, but Ali was quicker with speed in his prime and boxed Lewis on the outside, but landing quicker jabs and combinations to take a closed 15 round decision.

Ali didn't fight anyone like Lewis either. Although Holyfield would be a terrible matchup for Ali, while Lewis didn't have any big problems in the fights against Evander. And people seem to forget, that it's not about the fact of size, but about how fighters can use the size, which is a skill. Primo Carnera was huge, especially for his times, but he didn't take advantages of it because of his abilities. Lewis could do it.

[scorpio83]

Sorry, but sometimes size don't matter to Ali and Lewis never fought anyone like Ali, who never fought any great big man with the size of Lewis, but Ali was quicker with speed in his prime and boxed Lewis on the outside, but landing quicker jabs and combinations to take a closed 15 round decision.

Ken Norton knew how to box well enough to nullify Ali's movement, and use his size and strength effectively on him. If Norton could do that Lewis could do it better.

Ali wouldn't want to stay on the outside with Lewis. Lewis has a big reach advantage.

Lewis is no Norton and he was not awkward as he was and Ali would out-box Lewis, who has the same reach as Sonny Liston, but Ali was a bit quicker.

[gilgamesh]

Sorry, but sometimes size don't matter to Ali and Lewis never fought anyone like Ali, who never fought any great big man with the size of Lewis, but Ali was quicker with speed in his prime and boxed Lewis on the outside, but landing quicker jabs and combinations to take a closed 15 round decision.

Ken Norton knew how to box well enough to nullify Ali's movement, and use his size and strength effectively on him. If Norton could do that Lewis could do it better.

Ali wouldn't want to stay on the outside with Lewis. Lewis has a big reach advantage.

Lewis is no Norton and he was not awkward as he was and Ali would out-box Lewis, who has the same reach as Sonny Liston, but Ali was a bit quicker.

Lewis is no Norton? You trying to say Norton was better than Lennox Lewis? Because if so I gotta find your dunce hat.

[scorpio83]

Norton and Lewis fought in different stance. Norton fought in a cross armed crab defense while Lewis fought in European stand up outside boxer/puncher style.

If you think Lewis beat the prime Ali, then I respect your opinion, but at the same time it doesn't mean I have agree to that because I never ever be convinced that Lewis would beat a prime Ali. Opinion is your opinion. I understand your opinion because you may grew up in Lewis' generation while downgrading Ali's generation where you didn't grow up despite learning about his fights. I used to do that too and it's the cycle of favoring modern fighters over old-time fighters from previous generation. One day in 20 years down the line, fans from future generations would make their opinion that Fury would beat Lennox Lewis by decision, but I would defend that Lewis would beat Tyson Fury the same opinion I made that I defend my opinion that Ali would beat Lewis. Btw, Lewis is better than Norton.

[elmersalsa]

Ali by UD and probably by knockout. I can't picture Ali losing to Oliver McCall or Hasim Rahman by knockout.

I think Lennox Lewis is overrated.

[scorpio83]

Ken Norton knew how to box well enough to nullify Ali's movement, and use his size and strength effectively on him. If Norton could do that Lewis could do it better.

Ali wouldn't want to stay on the outside with Lewis. Lewis has a big reach advantage.

Lewis is no Norton and he was not awkward as he was and Ali would out-box Lewis, who has the same reach as Sonny Liston, but Ali was a bit quicker.

Lewis is no Norton? You trying to say Norton was better than Lennox Lewis? Because if so I gotta find your dunce hat.

Norton and Lewis fought in different stance. Norton fought in a cross armed crab defense while Lewis fought in European stand up outside boxer/puncher style.

If you think Lewis beat the prime Ali, then I respect your opinion, but at the same time it doesn't mean I have agree to that because I never ever be convinced that Lewis would beat a prime Ali. Opinion is your opinion. I understand your opinion because you may grew up in Lewis' generation while downgrading Ali's generation where you didn't grow up despite learning about his fights. I used to do that too and it's the cycle of favoring modern fighters over old-time fighters from previous generation. One day in 20 years down the line, fans from future generations would make their opinion that Fury would beat Lennox Lewis by decision, but I would defend that Lewis would beat Tyson Fury the same opinion I made that I defend my opinion that Ali would beat Lewis. Btw, Lewis is better than Norton.

[scorpio83]

Ali by UD and probably by knockout. I can't picture Ali losing to Oliver McCall or Hasim Rahman by knockout.

I think Lennox Lewis is overrated.

At least somebody agrees with me. A prime Ali would never get careless against McCall and Rahman. Most historians from older to current generations would put Ali greater over Lewis in all-time heavyweight rankings.

[DrDuke]

Ali by UD and probably by knockout. I can't picture Ali losing to Oliver McCall or Hasim Rahman by knockout.

I think Lennox Lewis is overrated.

At least somebody agrees with me. A prime Ali would never get careless against McCall and Rahman. Most historians from older to current generations would put Ali greater over Lewis in all-time heavyweight rankings.

Prime Ali got careless against Henry Cooper, just had a better chin than Lennox.

[mayorcurley]

Ali by UD and probably by knockout. I can't picture Ali losing to Oliver McCall or Hasim Rahman by knockout.

I think Lennox Lewis is overrated.

Can you picture Ali knocking out Golota and Ruddock flat in 2 rounds?

How bout Ali beating Vitali Klitschko when he's at the end of his career?

How bout Lennox losing to Leon Spinks?

[gilgamesh]

Lewis is no Norton and he was not awkward as he was and Ali would out-box Lewis, who has the same reach as Sonny Liston, but Ali was a bit quicker.

Lewis is no Norton? You trying to say Norton was better than Lennox Lewis? Because if so I gotta find your dunce hat.

Norton and Lewis fought in different stance. Norton fought in a cross armed crab defense while Lewis fought in European stand up outside boxer/puncher style.

If you think Lewis beat the prime Ali, then I respect your opinion, but at the same time it doesn't mean I have agree to that because I never ever be convinced that Lewis would beat a prime Ali. Opinion is your opinion. I understand your opinion because you may grew up in Lewis' generation while downgrading Ali's generation where you didn't grow up despite learning about his fights. I used to do that too and it's the cycle of favoring modern fighters over old-time fighters from previous generation. One day in 20 years down the line, fans from future generations would make their opinion that Fury would beat Lennox Lewis by decision, but I would defend that Lewis would beat Tyson Fury the same opinion I made that I defend my opinion that Ali would beat Lewis. Btw, Lewis is better than Norton.

I saw the tail end of Lewis' title reign in real time, but I'm not one to be taken in by favoring a fighter from my generation just because.

For instance there's many an old timer I'd pick over Mayweather.

It's a styles thing. Lewis could box well enough to match Ali's skill or at least come close, and if that wasn't working, he could use his strength to get him on the ropes and stop his movement.

There are guys that Ali beat that Lewis might not.

Now of course there is no certainty in any mythical match, but I think Lewis has all the tools to defeat Ali.

However Frazier, Liston, Foreman, Earnie Shavers. All those guys might be a bigger problem for Lennox than they were for Ali. Boxing's funny that way sometimes. Hence the old "Styles make fights" cliche.

And incidentally I'm not just some fan who "Heard about Ali's fights". I've seen them. More of his fights than Lewis actually.

[gilgamesh]

Ali by UD and probably by knockout. I can't picture Ali losing to Oliver McCall or Hasim Rahman by knockout.

I think Lennox Lewis is overrated.

Can you picture Ali knocking out Golota and Ruddock flat in 2 rounds?

How bout Ali beating Vitali Klitschko when he's at the end of his career?

How bout Lennox losing to Leon Spinks?

I can't. I also can't imagine Ali being beaten by Oliver McCall or Hasim Rahman if he fought them both 10 times each.

Ali is washed up for Leon Spinks. I wouldn't hold that one against him too much, and even so he avenged it.

[gilgamesh]

Ali by UD and probably by knockout. I can't picture Ali losing to Oliver McCall or Hasim Rahman by knockout.

I think Lennox Lewis is overrated.

At least somebody agrees with me. A prime Ali would never get careless against McCall and Rahman. Most historians from older to current generations would put Ali greater over Lewis in all-time heavyweight rankings.

Even if he did get careless and got caught. He'd get knocked down maybe, but he'd get up, and he'd win.

[scorpio83]

Lewis is no Norton? You trying to say Norton was better than Lennox Lewis? Because if so I gotta find your dunce hat.

Norton and Lewis fought in different stance. Norton fought in a cross armed crab defense while Lewis fought in European stand up outside boxer/puncher style.

If you think Lewis beat the prime Ali, then I respect your opinion, but at the same time it doesn't mean I have agree to that because I never ever be convinced that Lewis would beat a prime Ali. Opinion is your opinion. I understand your opinion because you may grew up in Lewis' generation while downgrading Ali's generation where you didn't grow up despite learning about his fights. I used to do that too and it's the cycle of favoring modern fighters over old-time fighters from previous generation. One day in 20 years down the line, fans from future generations would make their opinion that Fury would beat Lennox Lewis by decision, but I would defend that Lewis would beat Tyson Fury the same opinion I made that I defend my opinion that Ali would beat Lewis. Btw, Lewis is better than Norton.

I saw the tail end of Lewis' title reign in real time, but I'm not one to be taken in by favoring a fighter from my generation just because.

For instance there's many an old timer I'd pick over Mayweather.

It's a styles thing. Lewis could box well enough to match Ali's skill or at least come close, and if that wasn't working, he could use his strength to get him on the ropes and stop his movement.

There are guys that Ali beat that Lewis might not.

Now of course there is no certainty in any mythical match, but I think Lewis has all the tools to defeat Ali.

However Frazier, Liston, Foreman, Earnie Shavers. All those guys might be a bigger problem for Lennox than they were for Ali. Boxing's funny that way sometimes. Hence the old "Styles make fights" cliche.

And incidentally I'm not just some fan who "Heard about Ali's fights". I've seen them. More of his fights than Lewis actually.

Thanks Gilgamesh for your honesty and I respect your opinion for why you think Lewis has all of the tools to beat Ali unlike certain someone, who wrote this mythical match up, who favored certain modern fighter over old school fighter just to make certain modern fighter look better which would not be fair. Yes, in your last message, Ali did got caught by Sonny Banks, Sir Henry Cooper in their first fight and "Smokin" Joe Frazier in their first fight as well, but it shouldn't ruled a knockdown against Wepner, who tripped Ali, but Ali manages to get up because he has one of the best chins and win most of his fights.

[mayorcurley]

McCall and Rahman were two quality heavyweight.

Certainly alot more skilled than Evangelista, Bugner, Wepner, Jergen whatever and Leon Spinks.

[gilgamesh]

McCall and Rahman were two quality heavyweight.

Certainly alot more skilled than Evangelista, Bugner, Wepner, Jergen whatever and Leon Spinks.

Ali beat all those guys you mentioned. So what's your point?

They were solid Heavyweights. I never said they weren't, but Ali would've beaten 'em both every single goddamn time.

[mayorcurley]

McCall and Rahman were two quality heavyweight.

Certainly alot more skilled than Evangelista, Bugner, Wepner, Jergen whatever and Leon Spinks.

Ali beat all those guys you mentioned. So what's your point?

They were solid Heavyweights. I never said they weren't, but Ali would've beaten 'em both every single goddamn time.

People trashing Lennox cause he lost to McCall and Rahman. Which he rematched with wins.

Ali lost to Spinks and Trevor Berbick.

And had easy matches like those guys and Rudi Lubbers and Jean-Pierre Coopman.

Lewis ALWAYS fought high quality and never has a part of his career people have to make excuses for.

[gilgamesh]

McCall and Rahman were two quality heavyweight.

Certainly alot more skilled than Evangelista, Bugner, Wepner, Jergen whatever and Leon Spinks.

Ali beat all those guys you mentioned. So what's your point?

They were solid Heavyweights. I never said they weren't, but Ali would've beaten 'em both every single goddamn time.

People trashing Lennox cause he lost to McCall and Rahman. Which he rematched with wins.

Ali lost to Spinks and Trevor Berbick.

And had easy matches like those guys and Rudi Lubbers and Jean-Pierre Coopman.

Lewis ALWAYS fought high quality and never has a part of his career people have to make excuses for.

Ali was shot when he lost to Trevor Berbick. counting that one against him is about like counting a loss against Lennox Lewis if he had come back in 2008.

Yeah you're right he had some easy matches sometimes. He also faced the stiffest competition of any Heavyweight f*cking ever.

Being shot isn't an excuse, it's just something that anybody should notice.

Lewis was smart enough to retire when it was time. Many fighters don't make the wise decision and do the same.

He also made more money than Ali made, so that's a big reason why Ali would've kept at it longer.

[elmersalsa]

Ali by UD and probably by knockout. I can't picture Ali losing to Oliver McCall or Hasim Rahman by knockout.

I think Lennox Lewis is overrated.

Can you picture Ali knocking out Golota and Ruddock flat in 2 rounds?

How bout Ali beating Vitali Klitschko when he's at the end of his career?

How bout Lennox losing to Leon Spinks?

Yes, I can picture The Greatest knocking out Andrew Golota and Razor Ruddock. Both of them overrated.

Lennox Lewis did not beat Vitaly Klitschko. Klitschko was kicking his ass. The doctor made the fight to be stopped. It was a bad stoppage.

Ali losing to Leon Spinks was when Ali was totally shot. And still, Leon had to fight the fight of his life.

[elmersalsa]

I have not seen Lennox Lewis beating anyone that was great and in his prime.

At least Ali beat George Foreman and Sonny Liston. Two great champions in everybody's view.

[DrDuke]

Yes, I can picture The Greatest knocking out Andrew Golota and Raz

Golota is more often underrated than overrated.

Lennox Lewis did not beat Vitaly Klitschko. Klitschko was kicking his ass. The doctor made the fight to be stopped. It was a bad stoppage.

Nonsense. It was an even fight. Everyone points at the judges' cards, but no one tries to see closer and notice a disagreement there. The fight could easily be scored 3-3 by rounds. Lewis was winning at the last stages. However, the craziest stuff is calling the stoppage bad, when Vitali's eye was in bloody mess.