Lennox Lewis

[TheRiverCityHippy]

Took 2 tries to beat Mccall and Rahman, beat a decomposed Tyson, and a fosilized Mike Weaver, got a christams and birthday all rolled into one with the stoppage against Vitali Klitschko, neglected to fight Bowe, and didnt bother to stick around for the Russian invasion.

Yes, so he beat.....

-Andrew Golota ( oh my !)
-Frank Bruno ( who didnt?)
-Michael Grant (LOL)
-Frans Botha ( so?)
-Tony Tucker (so did Herbie Hide)
-Tyrell Biggs ( and ?)
-Tommy Morrison (so did Micheal Bentt)
-Henry Akinwande (it's only getting worse)
-Gary Mason (yaaawn)
-Zeljko Mavoric (zzzzzzzz)

You are joking right ? Beating these guys is the minimum requirment for respectabilty, hardly a sign of greatness.

Lewis was a good fighter in a period of so-so HWs, but there was no "Lewis era".
If one were to be very generous, Lewis might fit in the bottom 10 of a top 50 all time list

you throw in some names flippantly but at the time they were well fancied, like in the case of michael grant.
grant was actually the favourite with the bookies and the press was full of grants scientific training methods and `fast twitch muscles`. it was lennox who burst his bubble, same with golota, after his two fights with bowe he was seen as the baddest man on the planet until lewis did a number on him.
tyson, although shot, still had a lot of people who thought he could win.
other names like bruno and mason are good fighters and punched as hard as anyone in the division.
if lewis was american he`d move up a few places on peoples all time list.

[cosand]

>>>>>COMPLETE UTTER CRAP ! HA! HA! HA!>>>>>

So I guess you cant actually point out what you disagreed with, I guess I just hurt your feelings huh ?

<<<<<you>>>>>>

No one is holding being from the UK against Lewis, and speaking for myself, I am not saying he was not a legit champion for his time. All I am saying, is that neither his opponents or his performences warent his being an all time great. had he fought Bowe, and stuck around for the current crop, and been successful, then we would have something more to talk about.

[TheRiverCityHippy]

>>>>>COMPLETE UTTER CRAP ! HA! HA! HA!>>>>>

So I guess you cant actually point out what you disagreed with, I guess I just hurt your feelings huh ?

<<<<<you>>>>>>

No one is holding being from the UK against Lewis, and speaking for myself, I am not saying he was not a legit champion for his time. All I am saying, is that neither his opponents or his performences warent his being an all time great. had he fought Bowe, and stuck around for the current crop, and been successful, then we would have something more to talk about.

well if bowe didnt want to fight him to the extent of throwing away a belt what could he do?
and stuck around for the current crop? he`s near 40 years old!

[HomicideHenry]

So based on Lewis' opponents you're going to say he isn't a great champion? Hell by that logic you might as well forget Larry Holmes and you might as well forget Joe Louis whose best opponents as champion was an older version of Max Schmeling, a blown up Light Heavyweight in Billy Conn and Jersey Joe Walcott (Joe got a gift decision in the 1st fight).

Based on your logic every fighter who wasn't in the greatest era for Heavyweights (1970's) might as well not be on the list. Not everyone is going to fight the best of the best and not everyone is going to fight someone all in their prime or fight with excellent performances.

Hell even Ali defended the title against Chuck Wepner and that man had no business at all being in there, let alone inside the top 10 or 50 for that matter.

Lennox Lewis beat virtually everyone available and beat them all in rather one-sided fashion. Everyone wanted TYSON-LEWIS but when Lewis destroyed Tyson what did they say? 'Tyson was shot to begin with'. Or how about the Klitschko bout? Don't hold it against Lewis for having to switch gears and train for a man he wasn't supposed to face off with in the first place...he came in at 256 pounds and was 40 years old and was supposed to face Kirk Johnson, then Johnson gets hurt and Lewis had only 6 weeks or less to get ready for Klitschko.

6 weeks isn't enough time to get into shape. Think of it...who would you train harder for...Johnson or Klitschko? My point exactly. The reason why he looked so bad was he wasn't prepared physically or mentally for Klitschko and had there been a rematch, believe me, Lewis would have stopped Klitschko fast.

If Klitschko was having trouble with a sluggish, over weight Lennox Lewis, imagine what a properly trained and focused Lewis could do.

The mid-late 90's to 2004 was the Lewis era...PERIOD.

[Autobarn]

I have to say, I've come to an appreciation of Lewis after being what Americans would term a "hater."

Having been a boxing fan in the mid 90s, I was desperate for Holyfield to be The Man. But he delayed and delayed a Lewis fight, and was pretty much outclassed when they faced off, twice.

Sure, I consoled myself with 'Holyfield didn't try in the first fight', or that old chestnut 'Holyfield deserved to win it, he did he did,' - but I just admitted to myself years later "What a load of bollocks."

After revisiting the era, it was clearly Lewis' time. Lewis wasn't everyone's cup of tea, and I'm sad to say I bought into the 'Humble Warrior' arrogance of Holyfield.

Can't blame Lewis for getting a shot Tyson. Who was it who gave up his WBC title in faour of fighting Bruce Seldon?? & who toped the WBC rankings?

Holyfield was one hell of an inconsistent fighter and he couldn't be trusted to keep control of things. I actually think it would be a big ask for him to do what Lewis did, in spite of his being a great warrior.

Evander had to grind opponents now and summon up huge efforts, only to appear lacklustre next time around. Can anyone imagine if Evander would have one of his 'bad nights' versus some of the giants and power punchers that Lewis thrashed? Curtains.

I agree with Headhunter's comment about the names being taken for granted AFTER THEY WERE SPANKED. Golota, Grant, Tua, Morrison, Briggs, Ruddock...these guys were humbled and emasculated, while others like Akinwande were in fear for their lives. As to the guys who beat Lewis, well they REALLY regretted it when it was rematch time. Which has to mean something.

[icejack]

[quote="cosand"]>>>>>COMPLETE UTTER CRAP ! HA! HA! HA!>>>>>

So I guess you cant actually point out what you disagreed with, I guess I just hurt your feelings huh ?

You didnt hurt my feelings my friend ,its just you represent the very type of person i was first talking about up at the beggining of this thread. If certain other fighters of the past had regained the title ,you and others would have been saying "The mark of a real champ,got back up and won",Lewis though is a chinny fighter unlike say Marciano who was dropped by a light heavy or Ali who was dropped by an old one handed ,small journeyman. (I should point out ,not for a min. am I knocking Marciano or Ali ,im trying to make a point.) you appear to be blinded in your dislike of Lewis in compareing him to other champs.Jack Dempsey is considered one of the all time greats ,looking at his record ,I dont see many stand out names that mean much to me compared to say Ali or Liston,the fact is ,he beat the best of what was around for him to fight at the time (apart from the black guys hes manager ducked). Why dont you post your all time top 5 heavyweight champs and give your reasons why there opponents were better than those Lewis fought?

[cosand]

Guys,,,RE-LAX

You would think I had called Lewis an artless bum..I didn't !

I'll say it agin, Lewis was a legit champ who was the best HW fighter for the better amount of the time he held the title.

Like a lot of Champions, Lewis and his legacy, were in part, a victim of his time. Lewis came along post Tyson, and was toward the end of his career when some greater compition came along.
On the other hand, if his legacy suffered, it is his own fault.

He retired rather then take a well deserved re-match with Klitschko, Mesi called him out, and he ignored it, and he waited a year to fight again, after beating a dead Mike Tyson.

Yes, he was 38 when he retired, a year older then when Maskaev first WON the title, and the majority of the top 20 HWs are in their 30s.

This is not unheard of for a champion at the end of his career, but it is not the earmarks of an all time great. All time greats ended their "era" either on top with NO question marks, with a big win, or a big loss, in which they were willing to bleed to secure their place in history.

Like it or not, Lennox went out with a whimper leaving more questions then answers.

The real kicker ?
That might have been the smartest thing he could ever do !
No one can take away the fact that he was champ, he has a cushy job with his "absolutly Jim" gig, and chances are, he wont be a sad case in which he spends his final years battling a brain disorder.

Fighters, like all people, make choices. Lewis will always be remembered as a champion, but forgive those of us who don't put him in the same class with some others.

[icejack]

Guys,,,RE-LAX

You would think I had called Lewis an artless bum..I didn't !

I'll say it agin, Lewis was a legit champ who was the best HW fighter for the better amount of the time he held the title.

Like a lot of Champions, Lewis and his legacy, were in part, a victim of his time. Lewis came along post Tyson, and was toward the end of his career when some greater compition came along.
On the other hand, if his legacy suffered, it is his own fault.

He retired rather then take a well deserved re-match with Klitschko, Mesi called him out, and he ignored it, and he waited a year to fight again, after beating a dead Mike Tyson.

Yes, he was 38 when he retired, a year older then when Maskaev first WON the title, and the majority of the top 20 HWs are in their 30s.

This is not unheard of for a champion at the end of his career, but it is not the earmarks of an all time great. All time greats ended their "era" either on top with NO question marks, with a big win, or a big loss, in which they were willing to bleed to secure their place in history.

Like it or not, Lennox went out with a whimper leaving more questions then answers.

The real kicker ?
That might have been the smartest thing he could ever do !
No one can take away the fact that he was champ, he has a cushy job with his "absolutly Jim" gig, and chances are, he wont be a sad case in which he spends his final years battling a brain disorder.

Fighters, like all people, make choices. Lewis will always be remembered as a champion, but forgive those of us who don't put him in the same class with some others.

Very strange statement ! Joe Mesi Please! dont make me laugh!

[HomicideHenry]

If I do recall Joe Mesi was ranked inside the top 10 in the WBC. I think he actually was ranked #1 but then faded into oblivian when he got bleeding on the brain.

I think the Klitschko-Lewis rematch would have proved nothing more than Lewis being the man at Heavyweight and that it would have out done Lewis-Tyson in numbers. I think they offered Lewis close to 48 million and Klitschko was to be given a lil over 45 million.

Outside of Vitali Klitschko, what or who was out there for Lewis? Joe Mesi was #1 by the WBC, Kirk Johnson, John Ruiz---a rematch with Tyson? A fight with 'white hope' Waldimir Klitschko who was just blasted out by Corrie Sanders?

No. Lennox Lewis had nothing else to prove. Face it, he beat some of the best fighters of the 1990's (virtually all but Bowe and Tyson) and the 90's is quite easily one of the greatest eras in boxing history. Maybe he would have had a better 'send off' had he quit after Tyson---it was surely a more dominating performance than Klitschko-Lewis was, but remember, Lewis wasn't prepared to fight Klitschko, he was supposed to fight Kirk Johnson.

All in all, what more could you ask from a fighter?

[icejack]

If I do recall Joe Mesi was ranked inside the top 10 in the WBC. I think he actually was ranked #1 but then faded into oblivian when he got bleeding on the brain.

I think the Klitschko-Lewis rematch would have proved nothing more than Lewis being the man at Heavyweight and that it would have out done Lewis-Tyson in numbers. I think they offered Lewis close to 48 million and Klitschko was to be given a lil over 45 million.

Outside of Vitali Klitschko, what or who was out there for Lewis? Joe Mesi was #1 by the WBC, Kirk Johnson, John Ruiz---a rematch with Tyson? A fight with 'white hope' Waldimir Klitschko who was just blasted out by Corrie Sanders?

No. Lennox Lewis had nothing else to prove. Face it, he beat some of the best fighters of the 1990's (virtually all but Bowe and Tyson) and the 90's is quite easily one of the greatest eras in boxing history. Maybe he would have had a better 'send off' had he quit after Tyson---it was surely a more dominating performance than Klitschko-Lewis was, but remember, Lewis wasn't prepared to fight Klitschko, he was supposed to fight Kirk Johnson.

All in all, what more could you ask from a fighter?

What more could you ask? plenty ,he should have carried on till he was a shell of his former self ,he should have not ducked Joe Mesi ,whos last fight was a 4 rounder ,he should have fought Ken Norton in 1975 when he was 10 years old,he should have been an AMERICAN!!

[Syntax Error]

Guys,,,RE-LAX

You would think I had called Lewis an artless bum..I didn't !

I'll say it agin, Lewis was a legit champ who was the best HW fighter for the better amount of the time he held the title.

Like a lot of Champions, Lewis and his legacy, were in part, a victim of his time. Lewis came along post Tyson, and was toward the end of his career when some greater compition came along.
On the other hand, if his legacy suffered, it is his own fault.

He retired rather then take a well deserved re-match with Klitschko, Mesi called him out, and he ignored it, and he waited a year to fight again, after beating a dead Mike Tyson.

Yes, he was 38 when he retired, a year older then when Maskaev first WON the title, and the majority of the top 20 HWs are in their 30s.

This is not unheard of for a champion at the end of his career, but it is not the earmarks of an all time great. All time greats ended their "era" either on top with NO question marks, with a big win, or a big loss, in which they were willing to bleed to secure their place in history.

Like it or not, Lennox went out with a whimper leaving more questions then answers.

The real kicker ?
That might have been the smartest thing he could ever do !
No one can take away the fact that he was champ, he has a cushy job with his "absolutly Jim" gig, and chances are, he wont be a sad case in which he spends his final years battling a brain disorder.

Fighters, like all people, make choices. Lewis will always be remembered as a champion, but forgive those of us who don't put him in the same class with some others.

Boxers are notorious for fighting on too long.

Don't you think it's refreshing that a fighter actully got out whilst on top?

Yes he was starting to slide, but that is the time to go.

Fighting VK again would have meant little.

Lennox had no more to prove & deserved to go out on his own terms.

[cosand]

icejack Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 11:22 pm Post subject:

Very strange statement ! Joe Mesi Please! dont make me laugh!



Well I dont know why you would be laughing, because Lewis sure didnt. In fact, he was no where to be found. (see the link and text below)


http://www.democratandchronicle.com/spo ... orts.shtml

With venerable champion Lennox Lewis, 38, contemplating retirement or a rematch with No. 2 Vitali Klitschko, the 30-year-old Mesi wants Lewis to do neither and fight him next, possibly at Ralph Wilson Stadium this summer
“I want to publicly say for the first time I want to fight Lennox Lewis in 2004,” said Mesi, who made the announcement at Gold’s Gym on Scottsville Road, where he later held a public workout.

“There’s really nobody else calling out Lennox Lewis. I don’t want him to retire. I don’t want Vitali Klitschko to beat him. I want to beat Lennox Lewis and I think I can now. Hopefully, he’ll get that message.”

Note the date of the artical as well. This was well before the head injury, and mesi was the #4 WBC contender

The Mesi thing is not all that important by itself, but it is just another example of how lewis could have sealed his legacy, but didnt.

[icejack]

Im laughing because Joe Mesi is ordainary! If Lewis had carried on and beat Mesi it would have meant nothing to his legacy ,Mesi is a modern day Gery Cooney (but not as good) I felt ,he was slightly lucky to beat Monte Barrett .If on the other hand Mesi had beaten Lewis ,thats a different story ,America would have had what it has craved since Marciano ,A white heavyweight champ and that IS BIG BUISNESS. Lewis fought until nearly 40 years of age,thats long enough and beat bigger and better fighters than Mesi.I have nothing against Joe Mesi ,who has added some much needed colour to boxing but I personally dont think he would have added anything to Lewis,s portfolio and please dont say you feel Lewis was ducking him.

[icejack]

Joe Mesi had done nothing to deserve a title shot. If a feather-fisted cruiserweight could give him brain damage, imagine what Lennox Lewis would do to him. You must really hate Joe Mesi if you want him to be in the ring with Lewis.

Exactly,very true words.

[HomicideHenry]

The best time for Lennox Lewis to have retired is after the KO over Tyson. It would have been a big send off and he would have probably gained more respect than he did after beating Klitschko.

As far as everyone going on about Joe Mesi, I remember seeing him on tv just a year or two before he got ranked in the top 10. He was going up against Jorge Luis Gonzales and he knocked him out. Though it was exciting to see a KO (most fights anymore on regular tv are dull) I can't say that I was too impressed with him.

It's like a joke I seen in a magazine once, about Mesi, that the Marciano bros gave Mesi praise and said his style and all reminded them of their brother; the caption below said 'Peter must have meant Mesi reminded them of one of their brothers knock out victims'

Mesi is a generally good guy and has heart. But outside of the NY area, especially Buffalo, he wasn't the big commodity that everyone made him out to be. His chin was suspect, he had good power but nothing great, was spoon fed alot of stiffs and he should have stayed gone after his win over Jirov.

In my opinion had the fight been for 12 rounds instead of 10, Jirov would have stopped Mesi in the 11th. I hate to be so demeaning of someone, but I can only compare Mesi to the likes of the McNeeley's. Big fighters in their home state, good solid amateur records, beat alot of stiffs, had power but little else and of course hit a wall when they hit the big time.

But back to Lewis. He had nothing more to prove. Though I must admit, I think a WBC/WBO unification bout between Lewis and Sanders, who knocked out Wladimir Klitschko, would have been a good money fight and probably a better more entertaining fight than a Klitschko-Lewis rematch.

[pundit]

Took 2 tries to beat Mccall and Rahman,

So what? There was left no doubt in either case who's the (far) better fighter.

beat a decomposed Tyson,

You would be the first one to complain if he had NOT fought Tyson.

and a fosilized Mike Weaver, got a christams and birthday all rolled into one with the stoppage against Vitali Klitschko, neglected to fight Bowe,

Bowe ducked Lewis, not the other way round.

and didnt bother to stick around for the Russian invasion.

He retired at 37. Pretty advanced age for a HW.

Yes, so he beat.....
-Andrew Golota ( oh my !)

Top 5 HW by the time Lennox annilihated him. Had just beaten up Bowe twice.

-Frank Bruno ( who didnt?)

Oliver Mc Call didn't, for example. And neither Gerrie Coetzee.

-Michael Grant (LOL)

Became a laughin stock only AFTER being killed by LL.

-Frans Botha ( so?)
-Tony Tucker (so did Herbie Hide)
-Tyrell Biggs ( and ?)
-Tommy Morrison (so did Micheal Bentt)

But so did NOT George Foreman, or Razor Ruddock.

-Henry Akinwande (it's only getting worse)

Solid top 10 heavyweight at the time.

-Gary Mason (yaaawn)
-Zeljko Mavoric (zzzzzzzz)

You are joking right ? Beating these guys is the minimum requirment for respectabilty, hardly a sign of greatness.

Seems you have forgotten Evander Holyfield, Razor Ruddock, David Tua, Shannon Briggs, and a few other folks. Surely just an oversight.

Lewis was a good fighter in a period of so-so HWs, but there was no "Lewis era".

Of course there was. 1999-2004.

If one were to be very generous, Lewis might fit in the bottom 10 of a top 50 all time list

I guess you mean pfp.

At heavyweight he is definitely top 20 ATG, and probably top 10.

If you meant heavyweight though, please be so kind to name 40 heavyweights who would have been favorite to beat the 1999 Lennox Lewis. I'd be interested indeed.

Cheers,
P

[HomicideHenry]

I never thought I'd say this but I agree 100% with pundit. hell just froze over.

[cosand]

I clearly see I have walked into a joint meeting of the Lennox lewis nuthugging club and the distort Joe Mesi's record society.
I'm sorry, does eithe orgainization require a guest pass?
LOL

Oh, and no, I would NOT have been the one to complain if Lewis diodnt fight Tyson", in fact, I thought it was a side show act.

37 is an "advanced age for a HW? Do tell ! A year younger then a current champ !

So tell me Gents, if Mesi is SO insignificant, why wouldn’t Lewis have taken the fight ? humm ?

And Please, DO NOT make me fall off my chair laughing by denying the FACT that this in 2004, would have been a HUGE media event with an obscenely high purse for Lewis, and be it real or perceived, been a major cue for Lewis

I will resist the temptattion to point out that that "feather fisted cruiserweigght" injured Mesi with an ILLEGAL punch to the back of the head, becuse a 10 year old watching his first fight wouild know that, and I wont point out how idiotic it is to even equate Coney with Mesi, MUCH LESS make the laughable claim that Cooney was better in any way, because to say those things would be downright uncivil on my part.

Oh, I just DID point those things out, didnt I ?
My bad.

As for the "He wasnt American" paranoia, it is getting old and really is a bit pathetic.
If it makes you feel any better, I happen to think if another NON AMERICAN, a Nigerian to be exact, had not had some legal problems, Lewis would be nothing but a Boxing foot note.

Face it gents

Lewis was the champ, BUT:
NO Lewis "era"
NO "all time great" legacy
Lewis left more questions then answers

[HomicideHenry]

What question did Lewis leave unanswered?

You really saying Mesi could have took Cooney?

Are you really trying to imply that Lewis ducked Mesi?

And the rest of what you said is so laughable it doesn't bare repeating

#1- it was Mesi who left more questions than answers as he was never genuinely tested against a HW who could really punch or who had mad skills; and if the Barrett and Jirov fights were indications of anything, had he fought Lennox Lewis, it would have been an early, early night for 'Baby' Joe (kayo in two rounds or less in my opinion).

#2- Before Mike Tyson came on to the scene in the mid 1980's Gerry Cooney had the hardest punch of any HW in the top 10. Sure he beat alot of guys who were passed their best, but some of those guys were still dangerous and he had the size and skills to all but go even with Holmes for 13 rounds (had Cooney not low blowed, it would have been even). And, had Cooney went after Coetzee instead, he would have been WBA champion and had he waited until he was better prepared he probably could have beaten the Holmes who lost tp Spinks.

[KOJOE90]

Boxers are notorious for fighting on too long.

Don't you think it's refreshing that a fighter actully got out whilst on top?

Yes he was starting to slide, but that is the time to go.

Fighting VK again would have meant little.

Lennox had no more to prove & deserved to go out on his own terms.

Excellent post. I agree 100%.

[pundit]

I clearly see I have walked into a joint meeting of the Lennox lewis nuthugging club and the distort Joe Mesi's record society.
I'm sorry, does eithe orgainization require a guest pass?

Says the guy who omitted Holyfield, Tua and Ruddock from Lewis record....

Oh, and no, I would NOT have been the one to complain if Lewis diodnt fight Tyson", in fact, I thought it was a side show act.

Easy to say after the fact.

37 is an "advanced age for a HW? Do tell ! A year younger then a current champ !

A year younger than one of the current four beltholders, significantly older than than the other three.

So tell me Gents, if Mesi is SO insignificant, why wouldn’t Lewis have taken the fight ? humm ?

Because Mesi is too insignificant. Lewis didn't fight Butterbean either.

And Please, DO NOT make me fall off my chair laughing by denying the FACT that this in 2004, would have been a HUGE media event

Seems you think you are the media....

I would have been at risk of sleeping through his "event". Even in 2004 there were at least 6 or 7 worthier opponents.

My take: Lewis vs. Mesi KO2, and only because Lewis takes it easy in the first.

with an obscenely high purse for Lewis, and be it real or perceived, been a major cue for Lewis

Why would Mesi have meant a higher purse for LL than the Klitschkos, Byrd, Ruiz, Jones??

I will resist the temptattion to point out that that "feather fisted cruiserweigght" injured Mesi with an ILLEGAL punch to the back of the head, becuse a 10 year old watching his first fight wouild know that, and I wont point out how idiotic it is to even equate Coney with Mesi, MUCH LESS make the laughable claim that Cooney was better in any way, because to say those things would be downright uncivil on my part.

Who cares about Mesi. You're largely talking to yourself.

Oh, I just DID point those things out, didnt I ?
My bad.

Not quite sure what you think you pointed out.

As for the "He wasnt American" paranoia, it is getting old and really is a bit pathetic.
If it makes you feel any better, I happen to think if another NON AMERICAN, a Nigerian to be exact, had not had some legal problems, Lewis would be nothing but a Boxing foot note.

You mean Buchifluchi who edged out a razor-thin and overall undeserved decision against David Tua -- the same guy Lennox made look stupid for 12 long rounds?

Lewis was the champ, BUT:
NO Lewis "era"
NO "all time great" legacy
Lewis left more questions then answers

Face it, bud: you are wrong on all counts.

Btw, I am still waiting for the 40 heavyweights that in your opinion would have beaten the 1999 Lennox Lewis. Be so kind and write them down.

[yiddo14]

If Lewis had fought Mesi,there is a very strong possibility we would all be talking about a dead man.
Lennox would have utterly destroyed Baby Joe in one round.There was nothing more he liked doing than exposing the unbeaten,potentially next big thing.
It truly is a case of one fighter not being fit enough to carry the others jockstrap!

Lewis is a top 10 all time heavyweight.I would only back 4 heavies in the history of the game against him on his best night,and even then it would'nt be with great conviction.

[pundit]

If Lewis had fought Mesi,there is a very strong possibility we would all be talking about a dead man.
Lennox would have utterly destroyed Baby Joe in one round.

I'd have it KO2.

There was nothing more he liked doing than exposing the unbeaten,potentially next big thing.
It truly is a case of one fighter not being fit enough to carry the others jockstrap!

Lewis is a top 10 all time heavyweight.I would only back 4 heavies in the history of the game against him on his best night,and even then it would'nt be with great conviction.

I have him at #7 (behind Ali, Louis, Holmes, Johnson, Foreman, Liston), and the average forum view seems to be that he is bottom top 10.

[yiddo14]

If Lewis had fought Mesi,there is a very strong possibility we would all be talking about a dead man.
Lennox would have utterly destroyed Baby Joe in one round.

I'd have it KO2.

There was nothing more he liked doing than exposing the unbeaten,potentially next big thing.
It truly is a case of one fighter not being fit enough to carry the others jockstrap!

Lewis is a top 10 all time heavyweight.I would only back 4 heavies in the history of the game against him on his best night,and even then it would'nt be with great conviction.

I have him at #7 (behind Ali, Louis, Holmes, Johnson, Foreman, Liston), and the average forum view seems to be that he is bottom top 10.

I have him ranked about the same.I just would'nt back more than 4 names(your top 4 incidently)against him when on his best night.

[Heartbreak_Kid79]

Lennox Lewis ducked Dominick Guinn. At one point, Guinn's manager confronted Lewis, asking for Guinn to get a title shot, but Lewis started pretending to talk on his cell phone!

What did Guinn do to deserve a shot at Lewis?
So every other B grade fighter who didn't get a shot at Lewis, do they accuse him of ducking them? He can't fight everyone out there!
Fighters who haven't climbed the heavyweight ladder should keep their mouths shut.
You'll be saying next DannyWilliams and Audley Harrison were calling out Lewis when they had done nothing to deserve a shot at him