BoxRec

Taken from Lennox Lewis social media page.

"I'm honestly at a loss. I just heard Tyson Fury calling me out AGAIN because I apparently "hate him and am jealous of him". Neither are true and just when I thought we squashed anything between us, I hear his interview.
It seems to me that Tyson Fury has a LOT to say, EXCEPT when he's in my face. I had dinner with him the night before his win over Klitschko and it was all very cordial and the next day he even apologised for the things he's said.

I thought we were good so you can imagine my surprise to hear this interview today. I'm honestly not sure if he's got two personalities or what.

Nonetheless, he's done NOTHING for ME to be jealous of nor do I hate him. I'm actually starting to think its the other way around. In my prime, I didn't call out retired champions. In my era, we respected them. Ali is my idol. If he picked Holyfield or Tyson to beat me, he would STILL be my idol.
With the exception of Bowe, I've gotten along well, and shown plenty of love and respect, to all of my opponents, as well as the champions before me. This is how it's done.

For a man that has battled and fought very hard to get the respect he deserves, it's seems to me that he missed the most important lesson... that it's a two way street."

I wish there were more class acts like Lennox.
One of my favorites ever

tiny_acres wrote:I wish there were more class acts like Lennox.
One of my favorites ever

Absolutely agree with that on both counts

I am waiting for a tongue in cheek excuse.

tiny_acres wrote:I wish there were more class acts like Lennox.
One of my favorites ever

A lot of sense spoken by Lennox and responded in a calm manner.
Proper gentleman

Lewis is a proper gent,i agree Fury does have 2 personalities,1 thats funny and jovial,the other is a total contradicting arse

Ive nothing against his performance against Wlad but it goes against all Fury slated Klitschko for

tobyh5 wrote:Taken from Lennox Lewis social media page.

"I'm honestly at a loss. I just heard Tyson Fury calling me out AGAIN because I apparently "hate him and am jealous of him". Neither are true and just when I thought we squashed anything between us, I hear his interview.
It seems to me that Tyson Fury has a LOT to say, EXCEPT when he's in my face. I had dinner with him the night before his win over Klitschko and it was all very cordial and the next day he even apologised for the things he's said.

I thought we were good so you can imagine my surprise to hear this interview today. I'm honestly not sure if he's got two personalities or what.

Nonetheless, he's done NOTHING for ME to be jealous of nor do I hate him. I'm actually starting to think its the other way around. In my prime, I didn't call out retired champions. In my era, we respected them. Ali is my idol. If he picked Holyfield or Tyson to beat me, he would STILL be my idol.
With the exception of Bowe, I've gotten along well, and shown plenty of love and respect, to all of my opponents, as well as the champions before me. This is how it's done.

For a man that has battled and fought very hard to get the respect he deserves, it's seems to me that he missed the most important lesson... that it's a two way street."

Class.

As he says, there's nothing Tyson has done, or is likely to do in all honesty, that Lennox needs to be jealous. A past prime Lennox at 37, went to war with a prime Vitali K, and stopped him with a brutal cut, after landing some absolutely humdingers on him, whilst Fury danced around for 12 rounds against a 40 year old Wlad, to win in an absolute snorefest.

Brilliant response from Lennox.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:

tobyh5 wrote:Taken from Lennox Lewis social media page.

"I'm honestly at a loss. I just heard Tyson Fury calling me out AGAIN because I apparently "hate him and am jealous of him". Neither are true and just when I thought we squashed anything between us, I hear his interview.
It seems to me that Tyson Fury has a LOT to say, EXCEPT when he's in my face. I had dinner with him the night before his win over Klitschko and it was all very cordial and the next day he even apologised for the things he's said.

I thought we were good so you can imagine my surprise to hear this interview today. I'm honestly not sure if he's got two personalities or what.

Nonetheless, he's done NOTHING for ME to be jealous of nor do I hate him. I'm actually starting to think its the other way around. In my prime, I didn't call out retired champions. In my era, we respected them. Ali is my idol. If he picked Holyfield or Tyson to beat me, he would STILL be my idol.
With the exception of Bowe, I've gotten along well, and shown plenty of love and respect, to all of my opponents, as well as the champions before me. This is how it's done.

For a man that has battled and fought very hard to get the respect he deserves, it's seems to me that he missed the most important lesson... that it's a two way street."

Class.

As he says, there's nothing Tyson has done, or is likely to do in all honesty, that Lennox needs to be jealous. A past prime Lennox at 37, went to war with a prime Vitali K, and stopped him with a brutal cut, after landing some absolutely humdingers on him, whilst Fury danced around for 12 rounds against a 40 year old Wlad, to win in an absolute snorefest.

Very true! Changed days!

Lewis was always like this.

I remember before the Hasim Rahman rematch, Rahman turned up to the presser wearing a crown. Lewis didn't care. Then Rahman handed Lewis the belt from round his trousers. When Lewis looked baffled, Rahman replied; "That's the only belt you'll get from me." Lewis couldn't even be bothered to respond to such nonsense.

I remember the papers making out that Lewis was intimidated, and had no reply for Rahman.

Lewis' reply was in the ring. When you have the skills, there's no need to make ridiculous boasts.

ILikeBeer wrote:Lewis was always like this.

I remember before the Hasim Rahman rematch, Rahman turned up to the presser wearing a crown. Lewis didn't care. Then Rahman handed Lewis the belt from round his trousers. When Lewis looked baffled, Rahman replied; "That's the only belt you'll get from me." Lewis couldn't even be bothered to respond to such nonsense.

I remember the papers making out that Lewis was intimidated, and had no reply for Rahman.

Lewis' reply was in the ring. When you have the skills, there's no need to make ridiculous boasts.

He had a fight with Rahman on a talk show!

mickey1975 wrote:

ILikeBeer wrote:Lewis was always like this.

I remember before the Hasim Rahman rematch, Rahman turned up to the presser wearing a crown. Lewis didn't care. Then Rahman handed Lewis the belt from round his trousers. When Lewis looked baffled, Rahman replied; "That's the only belt you'll get from me." Lewis couldn't even be bothered to respond to such nonsense.

I remember the papers making out that Lewis was intimidated, and had no reply for Rahman.

Lewis' reply was in the ring. When you have the skills, there's no need to make ridiculous boasts.

He had a fight with Rahman on a talk show!

For the comment about bringing Rahman's sister over and he'll show him he's not gay.

Lennox was a great champion. Let's hope Tyson can up his game a bit.

ILikeBeer wrote:Lewis was always like this.

I remember before the Hasim Rahman rematch, Rahman turned up to the presser wearing a crown. Lewis didn't care. Then Rahman handed Lewis the belt from round his trousers. When Lewis looked baffled, Rahman replied; "That's the only belt you'll get from me." Lewis couldn't even be bothered to respond to such nonsense.

I remember the papers making out that Lewis was intimidated, and had no reply for Rahman.

Lewis' reply was in the ring. When you have the skills, there's no need to make ridiculous boasts.

Yeah, I remember Rahman during the pre fight stuff for the fight with Lewis - Rahman was ramped up, he looked like a crackhead, he was creaming and shouting, he caused some sort of Havoc around the gloves being inspected. Rahman realised he wasn't going to repeat the result of the first fight, and what was coming, hence all the bluster and noise as the awful reality dawned on him.

Lewis went and had a nap in the dressing room pre fight as he usually did.

didn't lewis and Tyson have a roll around before their fight?

but LL certainly comes across a humble gent and one who achieved everything the sport had on offer.

Fury is likeable when he is being funny like the batman stuff,the singing and gracious to his fans like the phonecalls and the runs along Morecambe seafront, but he is detestable when he is doing his boasting and bragging gig.

Fury is the unified world heavyweight champ,took it from the guy who hadn't lost in 11yrs, but I think most people wanted him to lose because his persona not his ability. many said pre fight that Tyson had a chance if he could frustrate wlad by moving and not coming in straight lines.

I wish Tyson and john fury would just be humble in victory and then maybe the wider media will get off his back over his beliefs

Fury will get blown away in the rematch bet ya

thechump wrote:Fury will get blown away in the rematch bet ya

I think Fury's got in his head. Think much the same or a quicker win for Fury.

nitro5912 wrote:didn't lewis and Tyson have a roll around before their fight?

but LL certainly comes across a humble gent and one who achieved everything the sport had on offer.

Fury is likeable when he is being funny like the batman stuff,the singing and gracious to his fans like the phonecalls and the runs along Morecambe seafront, but he is detestable when he is doing his boasting and bragging gig.

Fury is the unified world heavyweight champ,took it from the guy who hadn't lost in 11yrs, but I think most people wanted him to lose because his persona not his ability. many said pre fight that Tyson had a chance if he could frustrate wlad by moving and not coming in straight lines.

I wish Tyson and john fury would just be humble in victory and then maybe the wider media will get off his back over his beliefs

Lewis and Tyson, Lewis and Rahman

SNG wrote:

mickey1975 wrote:

ILikeBeer wrote:Lewis was always like this.

I remember before the Hasim Rahman rematch, Rahman turned up to the presser wearing a crown. Lewis didn't care. Then Rahman handed Lewis the belt from round his trousers. When Lewis looked baffled, Rahman replied; "That's the only belt you'll get from me." Lewis couldn't even be bothered to respond to such nonsense.

I remember the papers making out that Lewis was intimidated, and had no reply for Rahman.

Lewis' reply was in the ring. When you have the skills, there's no need to make ridiculous boasts.

He had a fight with Rahman on a talk show!

For the comment about bringing Rahman's sister over and he'll show him he's not gay.

Thought he mentioned his Mum too? Probably wrong, it's been a while. Was nice to see a nice bit of spite from Lewis. Could tell he was up for it after seeing that.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:

ILikeBeer wrote:Lewis was always like this.

I remember before the Hasim Rahman rematch, Rahman turned up to the presser wearing a crown. Lewis didn't care. Then Rahman handed Lewis the belt from round his trousers. When Lewis looked baffled, Rahman replied; "That's the only belt you'll get from me." Lewis couldn't even be bothered to respond to such nonsense.

I remember the papers making out that Lewis was intimidated, and had no reply for Rahman.

Lewis' reply was in the ring. When you have the skills, there's no need to make ridiculous boasts.

Yeah, I remember Rahman during the pre fight stuff for the fight with Lewis - Rahman was ramped up, he looked like a crackhead, he was creaming and shouting, he caused some sort of Havoc around the gloves being inspected. Rahman realised he wasn't going to repeat the result of the first fight, and what was coming, hence all the bluster and noise as the awful reality dawned on him.

Lewis went and had a nap in the dressing room pre fight as he usually did.

I thought I read somewhere that he broke into Lewis's dressing room to try and unnerve him, but was spooked when he saw him snoozing.

Lewis is a very laid back chap. I'm sure Tyson is just on one of his silly 'tongue in cheek' rants that he thinks is amusing, or maybe it was someone else using his social media etc?

Sit back and relax Lewis, why even comment on it? enjoy your retirement?

Dixonian wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:

ILikeBeer wrote:Lewis was always like this.

I remember before the Hasim Rahman rematch, Rahman turned up to the presser wearing a crown. Lewis didn't care. Then Rahman handed Lewis the belt from round his trousers. When Lewis looked baffled, Rahman replied; "That's the only belt you'll get from me." Lewis couldn't even be bothered to respond to such nonsense.

I remember the papers making out that Lewis was intimidated, and had no reply for Rahman.

Lewis' reply was in the ring. When you have the skills, there's no need to make ridiculous boasts.

Yeah, I remember Rahman during the pre fight stuff for the fight with Lewis - Rahman was ramped up, he looked like a crackhead, he was creaming and shouting, he caused some sort of Havoc around the gloves being inspected. Rahman realised he wasn't going to repeat the result of the first fight, and what was coming, hence all the bluster and noise as the awful reality dawned on him.

Lewis went and had a nap in the dressing room pre fight as he usually did.

I thought I read somewhere that he broke into Lewis's dressing room to try and unnerve him, but was spooked when he saw him snoozing.

Yeah, that's it! Stormed in there demanding something or other, and there's Lennox having a nice nap. Now that really would unnerve you.

I think Lennox often had a kip before a fight, cool as you like big Len.

Who cares? Honestly.

There was a love/hate relationship between Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali too. One moment you thought the two were getting along, and then the next day Ali would be saying how Louis was so flat footed and slow that he was a nobody. Then Louis would be saying how Ali never proven anything just yet.

It's a tale as old as time. From Broughton to the present day, the old champion talks the merits of his time, and dismisses the new. The new takes a swipe at the old. Everyone has some sour grapes. Just look at Corbett in his remarks of Sullivan in the years following his win. No matter what he ever did, Corbett never was considered the man Sullivan was. Same can be said of Larry Holmes and Gene Tunney.

I chalk it up to that and nothing more. No disrespect to Lewis, but it seemed to me that the men he had the most trouble with were tall, rangy guys like Akinwande, Klitschko and Zev. In a round about way, his greatest wins were over two men who were much smaller than him and were well passed it. The rest of the field, were extremely limited or they were average. Unless you consider Ruddock, Golota and Morrison to be among the all-time greats.

I guess in a round about way, I think a man like Fury would have presented Lewis alot of problems. It would have been more entertaining than the Klitschko fight sure, because Lewis was more fluid and less mechanical---- but never the less---- how do you deal with someone nearly seven feet in height, whose a switch hitter, and faster than you? Fact of business, both Klitschko and Lewis lost to mediocre men in their primes. That kind of stuff does NOT happen to all-time greats in their primes. And the fact Fury is only 27 and improving every time out, and he's beaten a dominate champion rather easily--- makes me believe that Lennox Lewis would have probably lost as well. If not now, then eventually when Fury is "prime", because at this stage I would call him still developmental.