Lennox Lewis' optimum weight?

[Syntax Error]

Lewis seemed to operate in 3 weight bands throughout his career.

When he first turned pro, he was around 230 lb (16.5 stones); he was even as low as 224 lb (16 stones) at one point.

He seemed to hover around the 230 mark until McCall sparked him.

He looked like a beanpole in his early days but seemed to still pack the necessary punch (just ask Razor Ruddock).

After the McCall defeat he seemed to balloon up into the 240 lb region (17.5 stones) & it was during this period that I think he was at his optimum weight.

He looked trim but had lost that beanpole look he had from 1989 - 1994.

Emmanuel Steward seemed to be fixated on the fact that he wanted Lewis to be as heavy as possible & he later became a regular 248 + lb (17 stone 10 + lb) fighter & although he did not look 'fat', I think this weight slowed him up slightly & may have affecetd his stamina, ala the 1st Rahman fight.

I might be wrong in that respect, as the weight gain seemed to coincide with him getting older & it might have been that that slowed him down.

What do think was Lewis' best weight?

[I Feel Fine]

Looking at boxrec, though he had some of his big wins in the 230's, I would say that he was in his 240's during his best years. He was in the 250's for Rahman I and Vitali, two fights where he wasn't in good shape. I don't think he came into the first Rahman fight that heavy because of Steward, he didn't take that fight seriously.

[BO Selecta]

Lewis seemed to operate in 3 weight bands throughout his career.

When he first turned pro, he was around 230 lb (16.5 stones); he was even as low as 224 lb (16 stones) at one point.

He seemed to hover around the 230 mark until McCall sparked him.

He looked like a beanpole in his early days but seemed to still pack the necessary punch (just ask Razor Ruddock).

After the McCall defeat he seemed to balloon up into the 240 lb region (17.5 stones) & it was during this period that I think he was at his optimum weight.

He looked trim but had lost that beanpole look he had from 1989 - 1994.

Emmanuel Steward seemed to be fixated on the fact that he wanted Lewis to be as heavy as possible & he later became a regular 248 + lb (17 stone 10 + lb) fighter & although he did not look 'fat', I think this weight slowed him up slightly & may have affecetd his stamina, ala the 1st Rahman fight.

I might be wrong in that respect, as the weight gain seemed to coincide with him getting older & it might have been that that slowed him down.

What do think was Lewis' best weight?

I think I have to agree that his best weight was probably about 17st 3lb (241lb).

Saying that, I agree that he never looked fat or out of shape, even when he was 250+ lb.

Once he grew beyond 230lb, he seemed to carry his weight well.

[dr_devious]

I think Lennox's best weight was heavyweight.
Seriously though, I thought he carried his weight better in his younger days, he was much quicker. As he got older he bulked up a lot and lost speed.

[dempseyfire]

If I'd been his trainer I would have set him for around 240. At 228 he was rather skinny but at 245+ he often had his mouth open by the middle rounds and was slower of hand and foot.

[Syntax Error]

If I'd been his trainer I would have set him for around 240. At 228 he was rather skinny but at 245+ he often had his mouth open by the middle rounds and was slower of hand and foot.

Got to agree with that.

Steward seemed to be fixated on making Lewis weigh as much as possible.

[jezzamundo]

If I'd been his trainer I would have set him for around 240. At 228 he was rather skinny but at 245+ he often had his mouth open by the middle rounds and was slower of hand and foot.

Spot on I'd say.