Page 1 of 2
Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 03 Apr 2020, 07:56
by Ruthless-RKO
Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield are both legends of the boxing game, a pair of former heavyweight champions (Holyfield also a cruiserweight champion), two star amateurs who became great pros.
They met twice in 1999, with the first fight going to an incredibly controversial draw in New York, and Lewis winning the rematch eight months later in Las Vegas by clear decision.
Lewis, who retired after his 2003 win over Vitali Klitschko with a career record of 41-2-1 (32 KO), still counts Holyfield (44-10-2, 29 KO), who would keep fighting into 2011, as the toughest opponent of his career, which he understands surprises some people given most felt he clearly defeated Evander twice.
“People seem to be genuinely surprised when I tell them (Holyfield) was my toughest opponent, not to be confused with my toughest fight, which was (Ray) Mercer, but when you really dive into why that is, it actually makes a lot of sense,” the now 54-year-old Lewis wrote on Instagram.
“Holyfield, like me, has an extensive amateur pedigree that has served him well throughout his professional career. He started boxing at eight years old and was an Olympic bronze medalist in 1984. Before he moved up to the heavyweight division, he’s a man that cleared out the cruiserweight division to become the undisputed champion, and arguably the best ever, in that weight class.
“That’s a lot of experience and it’s safe to say that by the time we met for the undisputed heavyweight championship in 1999, he had seen it all. When you combine Evander’s amateur and professional experience, you would be hard pressed not to see the kind of success he’s had in the ring.
“I may tease him a bit on our two fights, he knows I won both fights even though he won’t admit it, but in all seriousness, he’s the only man that has gone 24 rounds with me.”
Lewis also feels the success both had is an indicator of how important amateur boxing experience really can be.
“I can’t stress enough the importance of amateur experience,” he wrote.
“Consider the amateurs as your internship into the pros. The more you learn about your craft, the better it will serve you.
“Me and Evander’s extensive amateur experience brought us to the top of our games. In a sport where there are no guarantees, and even one mistake can end in disaster, it’s important to play the odds. So although we have both had setbacks in our careers, there was very little chance that the success we sought in the sport of boxing would not be reached based on our experience.”
Lewis now works as an analyst for PBC on FOX, having done that same job previously at HBO.
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 03 Apr 2020, 08:34
by elmersalsa
Evander was already washed up when he fought Lewis.
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 03 Apr 2020, 10:12
by Onamastus
Not everyone was as convinced of Lewis' win in the rematch. Many thought he was compensated for the draw in the first fight. From ringside:
Colin Hart of the Sun scored it 117-115 Holyfield
Jeff Powell of the Mail gave it to Holyfield by one point
Wallace Matthews of the New York Post went for Holyfield 116-112
Ron Borges for Boston Globe wrote that Holyfield got the better of Lewis
Bill Myon of the Philadelphia Inquirer scored 117-114 Holyfield
Steve Simmons for the Toronto Sun scored it a draw while the Las Vegas Sun questioned whether Lewis ruly deserved the win, John Rawling on Radio 5 had it a draw and the Mirror's John Dillon made Lewis only a narrow winner. Boxing Monthly's Graham Houston didn't keep a running total and was surprised to find he had Lewis as wide as 116-112, as Lewis was barely eking out rounds and was often being backed up and chased. The WBA announced an intention to review the fight and the IBF were also unhappy .Good veteran writers George Kimball and Jerry Izenberg could only give it to Lewis narrowly.
Most importantly of all, I scored it for Holyfield.
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 03 Apr 2020, 10:14
by Ruthless-RKO
Onamastus wrote: ↑03 Apr 2020, 10:12
Not everyone was as convinced of Lewis' win in the rematch. Many thought he was compensated for the draw in the first fight. From ringside:
Colin Hart of The Sun scored it 117-115 Holyfield
Jeff Powell of the Mail gave it to Holyfield by one point
Wallace Matthews of the New York Post went for Holyfield 116-112
Ron Borges for Boston Globe wrote that Holyfield got the better of Lewis
Bill Myon of the Philadelphia Inquirer scored 117-114 Holyfield
Steve Simmons for the Toronto Sun scored it a draw while the Las Vegas Sun questioned whether Lewis ruly deserved the win, John Rawling on Radio 5 had it a draw and the Mirror's John Dillon made Lewis only a narrow winner. Boxing Monthly's Graham Houston didn't keep a running total and was surprised to find he had Lewis as wide as 116-112, as Lewis was barely eking out rounds and was often being backed up and chased. The WBA announced an intention to review the fight and the IBF were also unhappy . Good veteran writers George Kimball and Jerry Izenberg could only give it to Lewis narrowly.
So either way, had the 2 fights been scored fairly. It would still be 1 win for Lewis and a draw. Or one win each?
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 03 Apr 2020, 10:24
by Onamastus
Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑03 Apr 2020, 10:14
Onamastus wrote: ↑03 Apr 2020, 10:12
Not everyone was as convinced of Lewis' win in the rematch. Many thought he was compensated for the draw in the first fight. From ringside:
Colin Hart of The Sun scored it 117-115 Holyfield
Jeff Powell of the Mail gave it to Holyfield by one point
Wallace Matthews of the New York Post went for Holyfield 116-112
Ron Borges for Boston Globe wrote that Holyfield got the better of Lewis
Bill Myon of the Philadelphia Inquirer scored 117-114 Holyfield
Steve Simmons for the Toronto Sun scored it a draw while the Las Vegas Sun questioned whether Lewis ruly deserved the win, John Rawling on Radio 5 had it a draw and the Mirror's John Dillon made Lewis only a narrow winner. Boxing Monthly's Graham Houston didn't keep a running total and was surprised to find he had Lewis as wide as 116-112, as Lewis was barely eking out rounds and was often being backed up and chased. The WBA announced an intention to review the fight and the IBF were also unhappy . Good veteran writers George Kimball and Jerry Izenberg could only give it to Lewis narrowly.
So either way, had the 2 fights been scored fairly. It would still be 1 win for Lewis and a draw. Or one win each?
I think one win a piece, however a lot of good judges agreed with the draw verdict in the first fight, so awful were they both that night. I would have to watch the first fight again but every time I mean to i find there's paint I need to watch dry, or grass grow.
Had Holyfield got the decision I'm not sure King would have foisted John Ruiz on the world. Maybe he'd have got his one shot then it would be onto Rahman, Nielsen and Tyson III. Or had Holyfield simply retired he would probably be rated even higher than he is now. Maybe Lewis would have unified the vacant belts, or maybe he would have been KOd by Rahman in the process. Who knows.
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 20 Apr 2020, 18:12
by joabbuac
Holyfield just never stops fighting, he makes a meal out of even on paper, easy fights. Then usually comes back, shows a ton of heart and wins, but this is pretty much how his high level fights go to, just came up short vs Lewis
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 20 Apr 2020, 21:28
by Onetimeonly
No surprise there, evander was the best heavy of Lennox era.
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 20 Apr 2020, 21:30
by Seamus
I had Holy winning the rematch 116-114 I believe. I thought the same thing. Compensation for the first bout.
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 20 Apr 2020, 21:32
by margaret thatcher
Lotta cards here, most for Len. tbh it was a pretty drab fight with little good shots landed, Lenn did enough to edge it
https://eyeonthering.com/boxing/unfinis ... x-lewis-ii
btw Ron Borges somehow only had Lenn winning the first fight by a point, no doubt the second would be a Holy win for him
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 20 Apr 2020, 21:44
by margaret thatcher
Onamastus wrote: ↑03 Apr 2020, 10:12
Not everyone was as convinced of Lewis' win in the rematch. Many thought he was compensated for the draw in the first fight. From ringside:
Colin Hart of the Sun scored it 117-115 Holyfield
Jeff Powell of the Mail gave it to Holyfield by one point
Wallace Matthews of the New York Post went for Holyfield 116-112
Ron Borges for Boston Globe wrote that Holyfield got the better of Lewis
Bill Myon of the Philadelphia Inquirer scored 117-114 Holyfield
Steve Simmons for the Toronto Sun scored it a draw while the Las Vegas Sun questioned whether Lewis ruly deserved the win, John Rawling on Radio 5 had it a draw and the Mirror's John Dillon made Lewis only a narrow winner. Boxing Monthly's Graham Houston didn't keep a running total and was surprised to find he had Lewis as wide as 116-112, as Lewis was barely eking out rounds and was often being backed up and chased. The WBA announced an intention to review the fight and the IBF were also unhappy .Good veteran writers George Kimball and Jerry Izenberg could only give it to Lewis narrowly.
Most importantly of all, I scored it for Holyfield.
Pretty unimpressive counter list tbh when it features all those scores for Len and all those draws. Even on a cherry picked list most cards aren't for Holy lol. Incidentally Jeff Powell didn't think Mayweather beat Pac and Borges could only barely manage to give Len the first fight by 1 point
I don't buy the compensation angle, fact is that the judges scores were in line with the large majority of scores --those that had Lewis winning, though you always get some people who like to think they're clever--I can just picture the dudes in this section circle jerking while they nod together about how Vander was so unlucky, I haven't seen his opinion but Alp surely has this down as a gift for Len too, so he can join in as well
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 20 Apr 2020, 22:37
by oogiebe
margaret thatcher wrote: ↑20 Apr 2020, 21:44
Onamastus wrote: ↑03 Apr 2020, 10:12
Not everyone was as convinced of Lewis' win in the rematch. Many thought he was compensated for the draw in the first fight. From ringside:
Colin Hart of the Sun scored it 117-115 Holyfield
Jeff Powell of the Mail gave it to Holyfield by one point
Wallace Matthews of the New York Post went for Holyfield 116-112
Ron Borges for Boston Globe wrote that Holyfield got the better of Lewis
Bill Myon of the Philadelphia Inquirer scored 117-114 Holyfield
Steve Simmons for the Toronto Sun scored it a draw while the Las Vegas Sun questioned whether Lewis ruly deserved the win, John Rawling on Radio 5 had it a draw and the Mirror's John Dillon made Lewis only a narrow winner. Boxing Monthly's Graham Houston didn't keep a running total and was surprised to find he had Lewis as wide as 116-112, as Lewis was barely eking out rounds and was often being backed up and chased. The WBA announced an intention to review the fight and the IBF were also unhappy .Good veteran writers George Kimball and Jerry Izenberg could only give it to Lewis narrowly.
Most importantly of all, I scored it for Holyfield.
Pretty unimpressive counter list tbh when it features all those scores for Len and all those draws. Even on a cherry picked list most cards aren't for Holy lol. Incidentally Jeff Powell didn't think Mayweather beat Pac and Borges could only barely manage to give Len the first fight by 1 point
I don't buy the compensation angle, fact is that the judges scores were in line with the large majority of scores --those that had Lewis winning, though you always get some people who like to think they're clever--I can just picture the dudes in this section circle jerking while they nod together about how Vander was so unlucky, I haven't seen his opinion but Alp surely has this down as a gift for Len too, so he can join in as well
I'll double down on my opinion that Claudius won both fights and the first fight by a wider margin than the second.
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 20 Apr 2020, 22:40
by margaret thatcher
Yep, for sure
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 20 Apr 2020, 22:42
by jas80s
I notice that fighters in these types of interviews tend to praise fighters that make themselves look a little better; I suppose that might just be human nature.
Having said that, he did say Mercer was his toughest fight, so he is making an important distinction. So, if he is saying Holyfield was the best fighter he faced, I would have to say......yeah, that tracks.
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 21 Apr 2020, 08:59
by Ambling Alp II
Seamus wrote: ↑20 Apr 2020, 21:30
I had Holy winning the rematch 116-114 I believe. I thought the same thing. Compensation for the first bout.
I think a lot of people think that.
In the first fight, Lewis did not do a whole lot, but Holyfield did next to nothing. Lewis should have got the decision but it was actually closer than some people make it out to be.
In the rematch, for whatever reason, Lewis did almost nothing but paw with his jab. Holyfield wasn't great, but from time to time he showed some flashes. He should have got the decision in the 2nd fight. It actually should have been 1-1 in their series. Too bad the fights didn't happen several years before they did. They would have been a lot better.
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 21 Apr 2020, 09:04
by Seamus
Kinda ironic isn't it. On paper you'd think Lewis v Holyfileld would provide some great action, but in reality it gave us 24 not so memorable rounds.
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 21 Apr 2020, 10:19
by Onetimeonly
Seamus wrote: ↑21 Apr 2020, 09:04
Kinda ironic isn't it. On paper you'd think Lewis v Holyfileld would provide some great action, but in reality it gave us 24 not so memorable rounds.
Lennox was a very smart fighter. Engaging would end with him on the floor.
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 21 Apr 2020, 11:51
by DrDuke
The first fight was utterly one-sided, but it was a master class by Lewis. The second one had some dramatic parts.
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 21 Apr 2020, 13:50
by TheLeprechaun
Onetimeonly wrote: ↑20 Apr 2020, 21:28
No surprise there, evander was the best heavy of Lennox era.
Bowe was better than Holyfield and was giving Lewis a good beating in their olympic fight before he got caught.
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 25 Nov 2020, 08:02
by Ruthless-RKO
elmersalsa wrote: ↑03 Apr 2020, 08:34
Evander was already washed up when he fought Lewis.
Who was the best Lewis fought, who was actually in their prime?
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 26 Nov 2020, 20:25
by gilgamesh
Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑25 Nov 2020, 08:02
elmersalsa wrote: ↑03 Apr 2020, 08:34
Evander was already washed up when he fought Lewis.
Who was the best Lewis fought, who was actually in their prime?
Ruddock, Rahman or Briggs I'd imagine.
Or maybe Tommy Morrison?
EDIT: After putting those answers the answer came to me. It was so obvious.
F*cking Vitali. He was in his prime, and Lennox was past his.
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 27 Nov 2020, 04:42
by DrDuke
Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑25 Nov 2020, 08:02
elmersalsa wrote: ↑03 Apr 2020, 08:34
Evander was already washed up when he fought Lewis.
Who was the best Lewis fought, who was actually in their prime?
In prime: Ruddock, Bruno, McCall (1st), Mercer, Akinwande, Golota, Briggs, Mavrovic, Grant, Botha, Tua, Rahman, Klitschko.
Not in prime, but still good and relevant: Morrison, Holyfield.
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 27 Nov 2020, 07:10
by Tuan_Jim
DrDuke wrote: ↑27 Nov 2020, 04:42
Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑25 Nov 2020, 08:02
elmersalsa wrote: ↑03 Apr 2020, 08:34
Evander was already washed up when he fought Lewis.
Who was the best Lewis fought, who was actually in their prime?
In prime: Ruddock, Bruno, McCall (1st), Mercer, Akinwande, Golota, Briggs, Mavrovic, Grant, Botha, Tua, Rahman, Klitschko.
Not in prime, but still good and relevant: Morrison, Holyfield.
Not sure Ruddock was the same man after those 19 rounds with Tyson. Maybe he was, seems improbable though.
Could Mercer really be in his prime at 36?
I'd say Morrison was definitely in his prime. I'd also add Gary Mason.
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 27 Nov 2020, 08:05
by DrDuke
Tuan_Jim wrote: ↑27 Nov 2020, 07:10
Could Mercer really be in his prime at 36?
Yes, he could. His prime was over after the Witherspoon fight.
Tuan_Jim wrote: ↑27 Nov 2020, 07:10
Morrison was definitely in his prime.
No, he wasn't. He declined after the Foreman fight, when he started to have dedication problems. After Puritty he was on the rise, but still he wasn't like before.
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 27 Nov 2020, 14:13
by Tuan_Jim
DrDuke wrote: ↑27 Nov 2020, 08:05
Tuan_Jim wrote: ↑27 Nov 2020, 07:10
Could Mercer really be in his prime at 36?
Yes, he could. His prime was over after the Witherspoon fight.
Tuan_Jim wrote: ↑27 Nov 2020, 07:10
Morrison was definitely in his prime.
No, he wasn't. He declined after the Foreman fight, when he started to have dedication problems. After Puritty he was on the rise, but still he wasn't like before.
Morrison looked as good as he ever did versus Ruddock
Re: Lennox Lewis: Evander Holyfield was my toughest opponent
Posted: 27 Nov 2020, 14:33
by DrDuke
Tuan_Jim wrote: ↑27 Nov 2020, 14:13
DrDuke wrote: ↑27 Nov 2020, 08:05
Tuan_Jim wrote: ↑27 Nov 2020, 07:10
Could Mercer really be in his prime at 36?
Yes, he could. His prime was over after the Witherspoon fight.
Tuan_Jim wrote: ↑27 Nov 2020, 07:10
Morrison was definitely in his prime.
No, he wasn't. He declined after the Foreman fight, when he started to have dedication problems. After Puritty he was on the rise, but still he wasn't like before.
Morrison looked as good as he ever did versus Ruddock
He was good, but not at his best. He did a quite bad mistake early on, got caught and down. If he was at his best, that fight would have been one-sided. But they both were declined that night and put on a competetive slugfest.