Remember Lewis Ducked Chris Byrd

[bnovelist]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKm5rJ5CAtE Here is why look how cagey Byrd was in his day he totally dominated Holyfield with ring IQ. While

Bowe ducked Lewis....Lennox turned right around and ducked Chris Byrd.

[keithmoonhangover]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKm5rJ5CAtE Here is why look how cagey Byrd was in his day he totally dominated Holyfield with ring IQ. While

Bowe ducked Lewis....Lennox turned right around and ducked Chris Byrd.

Correct. Lewis saw bigger fights and avoided Chris, the same way he didn't want to fight John Ruiz. Lewis' legacy is not tarnished by these, not like Bowe ducking him.

[Boxing Writer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKm5rJ5CAtE Here is why look how cagey Byrd was in his day he totally dominated Holyfield with ring IQ. While

Bowe ducked Lewis....Lennox turned right around and ducked Chris Byrd.

Correct. Lewis saw bigger fights and avoided Chris, the same way he didn't want to fight John Ruiz. Lewis' legacy is not tarnished by these, not like Bowe ducking him.

The problem is that Lewis avoided Chris in a hope for rematch with totally shot Tyson, whom he already pummeled like a pucnhing bag. Chris Byrd was much better than that version of Tyson. Hell, even Danny Williams was much better, which he proven.

So, yes, I think that Lewis legacy is tarnished because of him avoiding Byrd and Ruiz, but only slightly. Not comparable to Bowe, because a win over Byrd and especially Ruiz wouldn't add much to his legacy, while win over Lewis would be one of the biggest achievements in Bowe's career.

Saying that, I don't believe for a second that Bowe was scared of Lewis, and he proved it by signing contract to fight Lennox in 1995 - http://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/18/sport ... is-on.html

But yes, it was awfully dumb move from Bowe and Rock Newman not to fight Lennox in 1993, because that version of Lennox was nowhere near as good as the one, that was developed by Emanuel Steward. I think 1999 version of Lewis would KO 1993 version of Lewis in one round - that's how much better Lennox has become. He added some muscules and probably become slightly slower because of additional weight, but he also improved immensely in others areas, especially balance, footwork and defense.

[keithmoonhangover]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKm5rJ5CAtE Here is why look how cagey Byrd was in his day he totally dominated Holyfield with ring IQ. While

Bowe ducked Lewis....Lennox turned right around and ducked Chris Byrd.

Correct. Lewis saw bigger fights and avoided Chris, the same way he didn't want to fight John Ruiz. Lewis' legacy is not tarnished by these, not like Bowe ducking him.

The problem is that Lewis avoided Chris in a hope for rematch with totally shot Tyson, whom he already pummeled like a pucnhing bag. Chris Byrd was much better than that version of Tyson. Hell, even Danny Williams was much better, which he proven.

So, yes, I think that Lewis legacy is tarnished because of him avoiding Byrd and Ruiz, but only slightly. Not comparable to Bowe, because a win over Byrd and especially Ruiz wouldn't add much to his legacy, while win over Lewis would be one of the biggest achievements in Bowe's career.

Saying that, I don't believe for a second that Bowe was scared of Lewis, and he proved it by signing contract to fight Lennox in 1995 - http://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/18/sport ... is-on.html

But yes, it was awfully dumb move from Bowe and Rock Newman not to fight Lennox in 1993, because that version of Lennox was nowhere near as good as the one, that was developed by Emanuel Steward. I think 1999 version of Lewis would KO 1993 version of Lewis in one round - that's how much better Lennox has become. He added some muscules and probably become slightly slower because of additional weight, but he also improved immensely in others areas, especially balance, footwork and defense.

An excellent post sir. In fairness to Lewis, he was already thinking about retirement after the Tyson fight and was only hanging around for the money.

Only Bowe will no for certain if he was scared of Lewis. Deep down in his subconcious, he may have been. Lewis hurt Bowe badly in the Olympics, so who knows how Bowe felt about it. He did duck Lewis in a most public fashion and that's why fans are still talking about it.

[BitPlayer]

Wasn't Lewis pretty much finished by then?

[bnovelist]

This same Byrd that fought Holyfield & Tua made both of them look like amatuers lol Lewis wanted no part of during that time. I remember

during that time Byrd saying that he's gunning for Lewis. Lewis should lose some brownie points for this because Chris Byrd at that time was a

valid contender he rienvented himself after the Ike loss.

[Crease]

Correct. Lewis saw bigger fights and avoided Chris, the same way he didn't want to fight John Ruiz.

I've been saying this for years. Had they have fought, Lennox probably would have won, I don't dispute that. But I do think that Byrd & Ruiz would have given him problems... Especially the more jaded that Lennox got.

[BoxBuzz]

Boxing is a business.

Too much risk, not enough compensation on this.

Technically a duck, but probably not noticed by anyone but die hard fans, who forget about the business aspects.


Like those who think Bowe Ducked Lewis...(admittedly bigger media coverage and rumor mongering so more fanboys excitement) this is much adieu over very little.

At the end of the day you can file this in the same file as Bowe's action with Lewis.....both are factually true, but more business motivated than any fear. Lewis fans should be very happy that the Bowe fight did not happen, and honestly, Byrd would be a serious threat to Lewis at that time. I'd Favor Lewis, but not sure I'd bet heavy.

I actually would like to have seen Ike and Lewis, so the Ike believers would have nothing to imaginate over.

[keithmoonhangover]

Correct. Lewis saw bigger fights and avoided Chris, the same way he didn't want to fight John Ruiz.

I've been saying this for years. Had they have fought, Lennox probably would have won, I don't dispute that. But I do think that Byrd & Ruiz would have given him problems... Especially the more jaded that Lennox got.

Ruiz was an easy night for any version of Lennox. They used to spar together and were mates. John would have been knocked out early.

Byrd was highly skilled as we all know, but Lewis would have made his size count in that one.

[Crease]

Ruiz was an easy night for any version of Lennox. They used to spar together and were mates. John would have been knocked out early.

I wouldn't be so sure. Ruiz was a tough guy, I sometimes wonder if he would have out roughed the fight out of Lennox and stopped him. Rahman shown us that Lewis could be got at.

Byrd was highly skilled as we all know, but Lewis would have made his size count in that one.

IF he could use his jab to control the fight. But something tells me that Chris was too fleet-footed to stand there and get his face jabbed off him.

As I say, I think both men would have gave him problems...

[gilgamesh]

I remember Lewis didn't fight Chris Byrd because he felt he had bigger fish to fry...and he was right.

[Kalan]

Boxing is a business.

Too much risk, not enough compensation on this.

Technically a duck, but probably not noticed by anyone but die hard fans, who forget about the business aspects.


Like those who think Bowe Ducked Lewis...(admittedly bigger media coverage and rumor mongering so more fanboys excitement) this is much adieu over very little.

At the end of the day you can file this in the same file as Bowe's action with Lewis.....both are factually true, but more business motivated than any fear. Lewis fans should be very happy that the Bowe fight did not happen, and honestly, Byrd would be a serious threat to Lewis at that time. I'd Favor Lewis, but not sure I'd bet heavy.

I actually would like to have seen Ike and Lewis, so the Ike believers would have nothing to imaginate over.

Chris Byrd was so easily beaten by Ibeabuchi and Wladimir... He wasn't on the same plane as Lewis... Lewis and Bowe were the best Heavyweights on the planet when Lewis was his mandatory challenger... Lewis-Bowe wasn't much ado over nothing -- this was the biggest fight on Earth that fans could possibly see at that time -- and the most flagrant and belligerent duck in Boxing HIstory.

Your views on Ibeabuchi are ignorant... He was the best Heavyweight on the planet if he could have continued his career after his 20th straight win... He mopped the floor with a slick boxer like Byrd very quickly... To show how much he learned since beating Tua by UD in his 17th fight...

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Kind of odd, and impressive, the way Steward went from training demolition machines to refining Lennox and Wlad. I was never a fan, but one thing I liked about Lewis is that he would come out like RJJ early before he went into a shell. If you didn't belong in the ring with Lennox it was bad news early.

[Keko]

Correct. Lewis saw bigger fights and avoided Chris, the same way he didn't want to fight John Ruiz.

I've been saying this for years. Had they have fought, Lennox probably would have won, I don't dispute that. But I do think that Byrd & Ruiz would have given him problems... Especially the more jaded that Lennox got.

Ruiz was an easy night for any version of Lennox.

All this is ok and probably is accurate but the fact is that Lewis did not want this fight.
They are not important than our forecasts facts and with Ruiz, he did not want to fight.
Still remains that did not fight with Byrd, Moorer, Ruiz and they were in his day a good competition.

[Ambling Alp II]

He didn't want fights with journeyman that we never heard of either. Doubt it ever occurred to Lewis that he could lose to anyone of them. He probably could have beaten them all on the same night. He could always make more money taking on someone else. Beating Ruiz or Byrd would not add anything to how Lewis would be rated today.

[Keko]

The fact that there were these fights and they are better opponents than Grant.

Lewis was a great boxer but some fights are missing.

[SteveO]

Lewis was a great boxer but some fights are missing.

The same could be said for most boxers.

[Keko]

Lewis was a great boxer but some fights are missing.

The same could be said for most boxers.

Yes but with him it is very noticeable especially compared to Holyfield.

[Boxing Writer]

He didn't want fights with journeyman that we never heard of either. Doubt it ever occurred to Lewis that he could lose to anyone of them. He probably could have beaten them all on the same night. He could always make more money taking on someone else. Beating Ruiz or Byrd would not add anything to how Lewis would be rated today.

Byrd was the first one who beat Vitali (yes, he was losing on points but so was Lewis). He also easily schooled Tua who was 12 lbs lighter than he was against Lewis. And he beat Holyfield easier than Lewis did, albeit an even older version. So, the win over Byrd would be definitely better than most of the Lewis' wins. It would be easily his top-5 win at least. A win over Tua is widely considered among Lewis' top-5 wins, and Byrd was much better than Tua.

Byrd also won almost every round against 2002 version of Holyfield who just beat Rahman in his previous fight. I have no doubts that Byrd would have beaten 1999 version of Holyfield too, though it wouldn't be as one-sided.

[Ambling Alp II]

Sure you can spin it that way if you want.
You can also spin it this way:
Yes Byrd did stop Vitali as Lewis did. However Lewis was way past it when he did it.
I would say that the first Lewis-Holyfield fight was more one-sided than the Byrd-Holyfield fight; and Holyfield had a bit more left against Lewis.
The Holyfield fights don't really prove a whole lot.
I would also argue that Tua was a better fighter at the time he fought Lewis than when he fought Byrd.

Byrd also was lucky to get a draw against an old Andrew Golota. Lewis knocked out a prime Golota in the first round. You didn't mention that one.

Even if you don't count Holyfield and Tyson, I rate Mercer, McCall, Ruddock, and Bruno ahead of Byrd.
If you take out their head to head fight, I don't see how Byrd rates much higher than Tua.
I don't see how Byrd was much better than Golota, Morrison, and the faded yet not washed up version of Tucker that Lewis beat.

When ranking Lennox Lewis all time standing as comparing him to other heavyweight greats, I don't see how a win over Chris Byrd would move him up any.
Nobody was screaming for a Byrd-Lewis fight because Byrd had no chance. Byrd couldn't hurt him or outbox him.

[Boxing Writer]

Sure you can spin it that way if you want.
You can also spin it this way:
Yes Byrd did stop Vitali as Lewis did. However Lewis was way past it when he did it.
I would say that the first Lewis-Holyfield fight was more one-sided than the Byrd-Holyfield fight; and Holyfield had a bit more left against Lewis.
The Holyfield fights don't really prove a whole lot.
I would also argue that Tua was a better fighter at the time he fought Lewis than when he fought Byrd.

Byrd also was lucky to get a draw against an old Andrew Golota. Lewis knocked out a prime Golota in the first round. You didn't mention that one.

Even if you don't count Holyfield and Tyson, I rate Mercer, McCall, Ruddock, and Bruno ahead of Byrd.
If you take out their head to head fight, I don't see how Byrd rates much higher than Tua.
I don't see how Byrd was much better than Golota, Morrison, and the faded yet not washed up version of Tucker that Lewis beat.

When ranking Lennox Lewis all time standing as comparing him to other heavyweight greats, I don't see how a win over Chris Byrd would move him up any.
Nobody was screaming for a Byrd-Lewis fight because Byrd had no chance. Byrd couldn't hurt him or outbox him.

I don't see how Tua could be worse against Byrd than he was against Lewis. He was just 9 months older but he was clearly in much better shape when he fought Byrd (233 lbs vs 245 lbs version against Lewis).

I also think Byrd was better than Mercer, McCall, Ruddock, Bruno, faded Morrison and faded Tucker. I think Chris would outbox them all. But I agree there was no public demand for Lewis - Byrd fight and I think Lewis would most likely beat Byrd by close decision in late 2002, when Byrd was at his very best and Lewis was slightly past it. I don't think that Lewis was scared of Byrd at all, but I also don't think Bowe was scared of Lewis. Bowe's situation, however, looks much worse for public, because people really wanted to see that fight.

[Crease]

Still remains that did not fight with Byrd, Moorer, Ruiz and they were in his day a good competition.

Agreed. Especially when you compare them to some of the Heavies that were knocking about in that day... Remember Eric Esch?

[Keko]

Still remains that did not fight with Byrd, Moorer, Ruiz and they were in his day a good competition.

Agreed. Especially when you compare them to some of the Heavies that were knocking about in that day... Remember Eric Esch?

I think at that time these that I mentioned were still solid competition.

[Ambling Alp II]

Sure you can spin it that way if you want.
You can also spin it this way:
Yes Byrd did stop Vitali as Lewis did. However Lewis was way past it when he did it.
I would say that the first Lewis-Holyfield fight was more one-sided than the Byrd-Holyfield fight; and Holyfield had a bit more left against Lewis.
The Holyfield fights don't really prove a whole lot.
I would also argue that Tua was a better fighter at the time he fought Lewis than when he fought Byrd.

Byrd also was lucky to get a draw against an old Andrew Golota. Lewis knocked out a prime Golota in the first round. You didn't mention that one.

Even if you don't count Holyfield and Tyson, I rate Mercer, McCall, Ruddock, and Bruno ahead of Byrd.
If you take out their head to head fight, I don't see how Byrd rates much higher than Tua.
I don't see how Byrd was much better than Golota, Morrison, and the faded yet not washed up version of Tucker that Lewis beat.

When ranking Lennox Lewis all time standing as comparing him to other heavyweight greats, I don't see how a win over Chris Byrd would move him up any.
Nobody was screaming for a Byrd-Lewis fight because Byrd had no chance. Byrd couldn't hurt him or outbox him.

I don't see how Tua could be worse against Byrd than he was against Lewis. He was just 9 months older but he was clearly in much better shape when he fought Byrd (233 lbs vs 245 lbs version against Lewis).

I also think Byrd was better than Mercer, McCall, Ruddock, Bruno, faded Morrison and faded Tucker. I think Chris would outbox them all. But I agree there was no public demand for Lewis - Byrd fight and I think Lewis would most likely beat Byrd by close decision in late 2002, when Byrd was at his very best and Lewis was slightly past it. I don't think that Lewis was scared of Byrd at all, but I also don't think Bowe was scared of Lewis. Bowe's situation, however, looks much worse for public, because people really wanted to see that fight.

I thought Tua fought better against Lewis than he did against Byrd, but I guess we can disagree on that.
Guess we have to agree to disagree with where Byrd should rated. I think McCall, Ruddock, Bruno, Morrison and Tucker were better fighters and proved it. And Morrison was not faded when Lewis beat him.
Byrd had all kinds of trouble with Oquendo and McCline, probably should not have even got the draw against Golota. He got outboxed by W. Klitschko.
He had good boxing skills but was not the master boxer that some people make him out to be. He had virtually no power to bother Lewis with.
The best he could hope for against Lewis would be to last the distance and lose a lopsided decision. More likely, he gets stopped before 7 rounds.

[Ambling Alp II]

Still remains that did not fight with Byrd, Moorer, Ruiz and they were in his day a good competition.

Agreed. Especially when you compare them to some of the Heavies that were knocking about in that day... Remember Eric Esch?

I think at that time these that I mentioned were still solid competition.

Agreed. Lewis was beating fighters way better than Eric Esch. If people are going to say that Lewis should have these guys, then when was it supposed to happen?
Was Lewis fighting clearly weaker opponents at the time?