Lennox Lewis v USYK

[maninthemiddle]

Couldn’t help thinking last night that Lennox Lewis would have dealt far better with Usyk than Fury simply by employing the jab more effectively.
Lewis handled “smaller” heavyweight pretty well such as Tyson, Tua, Holyfield, Morrison.etc Fairly confident Lewis beats Usyk ???

[Boxerbeetle]

Yep definitely, but Lewis was a genuinely elite level fighter, Fury never was despite his much bigger size.

[dan28uk]

think definitely prime lewis would of handled usyk but latter stages id go with usyk lewis wasnt the quickest and think usyks movement would definitely cause problems

[mickey1975]

I don't think I've ever seen an A lister boxer like Lennox have more time for a crowd than him. Just posed all night and at the weigh in with his son and that chilled, happy vibe he gives off. No security.

[IRONFIST]

Couldn’t help thinking last night that Lennox Lewis would have dealt far better with Usyk than Fury simply by employing the jab more effectively.
Lewis handled “smaller” heavyweight pretty well such as Tyson, Tua, Holyfield, Morrison.etc Fairly confident Lewis beats Usyk ???

Don't be too sure, Rahman was nowhere near the level of Usyk and he knocked out Lenny, same with McCall, Lenny was 1-1 with both, neither on Usyk's level.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Lewis would have taken a fight with Usyk deadly seriously, and would have been prepared. Lewis was also a very very good technician, especially offensively. Too big and too good.

[Nightmare Roy]

I think there is a very strong argument for Lewis being in the top 3 HWs of all time' Fury maybe get in the top 30. I think Lewis would beat any of the current guys.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I think there is a very strong argument for Lewis being in the top 3 HWs of all time' Fury maybe get in the top 30. I think Lewis would beat any of the current guys.

I'd have in my top 5, not sure where, There really aren't that many heavyweight champs who reigned for a long time. In terms of those who remained at the top for a long period of time, Lewis is definitely up there.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I think there is a very strong argument for Lewis being in the top 3 HWs of all time' Fury maybe get in the top 30. I think Lewis would beat any of the current guys.

Fury could rank a lot higher than that, I'd rank him higher already, but if he manages to beat Usyk in a rematch, it kind of proves his credentials.

Sadly there's very few impressive victories on his resume.

[Loynesy]

I am a massive admirer of Usyk both as a fighter and a human being but can't see any way he'd beat a prime Lennox Lewis. Same with Larry Holmes - it's just the jab, the jab and the jab again.

[TheLeprechaun]

I think Lewis gets overrated. Bruno outjabbed him. Holyfield went on to have a trilogy with John Ruiz after their fights. There are people who think Holyfield won the second fight. I haven't watched it in years. It's arguable that Usyk beats everyone on his record. I certainly don't see him losing to McCall and Rahman. Fury was giving Usyk problems with his length and uppercuts and that sways things in Lewis' favour for me but only just. I think Usyk would give him problems but Lewis is far far superior to Fury and has lights out power in his right hand. He went up in my estimation in the Vitali fight. Took good shots and was well on his way to knocking him out for me.

[forcefraser]

Lewis would have beaten Usyk. Iron Mike of 87/88 would have beaten him as well

[polecateddy]

As soon as Usyk showed any mid round weakness Lewis would have finished him immediately. Fury is really a non-puncher in comparison.

[jamesmcdonnell]

As soon as Usyk showed any mid round weakness Lewis would have finished him immediately. Fury is really a non-puncher in comparison.

That's the thing, Lewis' power is on a whole other level of magnitude to Fury's, he got full leverage on his shots.

I'd give Usyk an outside chance against Tyson, if he could survive the first 2-3 rounds, he's a very clever fighter, but he would definitely have to take some licks. The only man ever went head to head with Mike from the 1st bell and won, was holyfield, but Evander was generally heavier handed than Usyk.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I think Lewis gets overrated. Bruno outjabbed him. Holyfield went on to have a trilogy with John Ruiz after their fights. There are people who think Holyfield won the second fight. I haven't watched it in years. It's arguable that Usyk beats everyone on his record. I certainly don't see him losing to McCall and Rahman. Fury was giving Usyk problems with his length and uppercuts and that sways things in Lewis' favour for me but only just. I think Usyk would give him problems but Lewis is far far superior to Fury and has lights out power in his right hand. He went up in my estimation in the Vitali fight. Took good shots and was well on his way to knocking him out for me.

Lewis that fought Bruno wasn't at his peak yet, still quite a few years off, I'd say Lewis' prime was around 28-32.

Bruno did outjab him, but then Lewis did what he needed to do, and took him apart.

I think Usyk is incredibly professional, and takes every fight seriously, I think Lewis thought McCall was just a patsy who would crumble, and thought Rahman was an also ran. Don't see Usyk ever coming in less than 100% prepared.

[Nightmare Roy]

As soon as Usyk showed any mid round weakness Lewis would have finished him immediately. Fury is really a non-puncher in comparison.

Yeah, he was a brilliant finisher

[jamesmcdonnell]

I am a massive admirer of Usyk both as a fighter and a human being but can't see any way he'd beat a prime Lennox Lewis. Same with Larry Holmes - it's just the jab, the jab and the jab again.

Hmmm, could Usyk pull of what Spinks did? I think it's possible.

[NazNaci1]

Lennox would have been too big and too powerful, imo.

A much harder puncher than Fury and also, incredibly physically strong. Again, much stronger than Fury, Not sure Uysk would be all that comfortable trying to walk him down.

He also had skills, timing and good fundamentals, especially towards the latter part of his career. If Fury could land uppercuts, I dread to think what Lennox's uppercuts would do.

If Uysk thought AJ hit hard (which he does, clearly), Lennox's right was TNT.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Lennox would have been too big and too powerful, imo.

A much harder puncher than Fury and also, incredibly physically strong. Again, much stronger than Fury, Not sure Uysk would be all that comfortable trying to walk him down.

He also had skills, timing and good fundamentals, especially towards the latter part of his career. If Fury could land uppercuts, I dread to think what Lennox's uppercuts would do.

If Uysk thought AJ hit hard (which he does, clearly), Lennox's right was TNT.

The shot he landed on Rahman in their second fight was like a howitzer, full wind up and then thrown across the body and right down the pipe - Lewis's right hand was down past his waist by the time he finished the delivery - I think Rahman's soul left his body for a good 20 seconds, before god sent Arkangel Gabriel down to tell Rahman it wasn't his time yet.

[paultom]

Lennox would have been too big and too powerful, imo.

A much harder puncher than Fury and also, incredibly physically strong. Again, much stronger than Fury, Not sure Uysk would be all that comfortable trying to walk him down.

He also had skills, timing and good fundamentals, especially towards the latter part of his career. If Fury could land uppercuts, I dread to think what Lennox's uppercuts would do.

If Uysk thought AJ hit hard (which he does, clearly), Lennox's right was TNT.

The shot he landed on Rahman in their second fight was like a howitzer, full wind up and then thrown across the body and right down the pipe - Lewis's right hand was down past his waist by the time he finished the delivery - I think Rahman's soul left his body for a good 20 seconds, before god sent Arkangel Gabriel down to tell Rahman it wasn't his time yet.

Still makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck that ko.

[dookus]

If LL landed as well as Fury did with some of his power shots, he'd put Usyk to sleep

[SeanBrennan]

would be a fantastic fight. Lennox for me, but what a brilliant match up that would be, and no trash talk in build up either.

[paultom]

would be a fantastic fight. Lennox for me, but what a brilliant match up that would be, and no trash talk in build up either.

that would be refreshing,2 gentlemen going about their job with class

[jamesmcdonnell]

There aren't many Heavies I'd pick Lewis to beat on his best night, Ali, (the speed, stamina, toughness and will to win) Holmes (the jab would have taken away one of Lewis' biggest weapons and Larry was very hard to outmanouver too) and Foreman. Foreman was very very tough, even past his best, and he definitely had the weapons to flatten Lewis.

Those are the only three really that I could see being able prime for prime to own Lewis. I'd have picked a young Tyson to beat Lewis, but not the peak version of Lewis - Lennox was a late bloomer.

Holyfield in his absolute Prime was a problem with any heavyweight. He was a little past his considerable best by the time they fought, and still gave a good account of himself in both fights, especially the 2nd.

[Ricky]

I think Lennox Lewis was the best ever and would've been a bridge too far for Usyk. Lewis could've boxed with him, but the difference in power would've been a big edge.