BoxRec

So apart from the 2 obvious KOs he suffered when was he rocked by other opponents? Looked like he was all over the place with Briggs but coped well and came back well.

Never considered him “ours” tbh. But yeah, it’s a myth he was vulnerable. He just got caught by two humdingers in a long career.

Also took some big shots off Holyfield in round 3 (1st fight) and round 7 ( second fight), big shots from Ray Mercer (a 10 round war) and against Vitali.

Briggs chasing after Lennox with everything he had, after Lennox only really got knocked off balance initially, made the whole thing look a lot worse than it was.

Kilburn wrote: ↑28 Jan 2023, 09:38 Briggs chasing after Lennox with everything he had, after Lennox only really got knocked off balance initially, made the whole thing look a lot worse than it was.

That was my recollection, too.

His chin was good. A one of his KO losses had an arguable stoppage. Also, he took Mercer's shots well.

Big Frank had a good 3rd round and unsettled him. His chin wasn’t obviously in the McCall hallowed level, but decent enough. B+

Akinwande made him touch down in between the hugging, though I think it was a top of the head shot if memory serves.

Am I alone in not hugely rooting for him in his pomp? He never seemed to give any opponents a shred of credit, the Bruno 'Uncle Tom' stuff was pretty bleak and his 'I realise that...pugilist specialist....' mantra irritated me a bit. But I'm sure he can live with my dissenting voice.

Lewis fought so many dangerous opponents I couldn’t imagine not rooting for him.

He never fought prime Bowe. Beat an old-age Holyfield and a totally shot Tyson.

I've never really rated him as highly as some do because i've always thought if he fought those 3 in their prime he's very likely to lose 3 times.

Monzon83 wrote: ↑28 Jan 2023, 16:03 He never fought prime Bowe. Beat an old-age Holyfield and a totally shot Tyson.

I've never really rated him as highly as some do because i've always thought if he fought those 3 in their prime he's very likely to lose 3 times.

He and Tyson's primes came at a different time really, but I think if you put the best version of Tyson up against the best version of Lewis. Tyson gets knocked out.

Bowe had already got stopped by him in the Olympics. Most fighters would want to avenge a loss if they thought they could. He didn't think he could obviously.

Monzon83 wrote: ↑28 Jan 2023, 16:03 He never fought prime Bowe. Beat an old-age Holyfield and a totally shot Tyson.

I've never really rated him as highly as some do because i've always thought if he fought those 3 in their prime he's very likely to lose 3 times.

Eddie Futch, Bowe's trainer didn't agree with you. He told Emanuel Steward that he thought Lennox would walk through Bowe like he did in the Olympics. It was the Americans doing the ducking, not Lenny

gilgamesh wrote: ↑28 Jan 2023, 16:07

Monzon83 wrote: ↑28 Jan 2023, 16:03 He never fought prime Bowe. Beat an old-age Holyfield and a totally shot Tyson.

I've never really rated him as highly as some do because i've always thought if he fought those 3 in their prime he's very likely to lose 3 times.

He and Tyson's primes came at a different time really, but I think if you put the best version of Tyson up against the best version of Lewis. Tyson gets knocked out.

Bowe had already got stopped by him in the Olympics. Most fighters would want to avenge a loss if they thought they could. He didn't think he could obviously.

Also while styles make fights look at the fact that Golota gave Bowe 2 beatings and retired him while Lennox dispatched Golota in a round the following year

The version of Holyfield he fought wasn't an old man, but really still quite useful. Tyson was obviously a cash out, but the general quality of opponents was excellent

I don't know how to post links but Rummy's Corner jut uploaded an excellent video this week about Lewis's so called glass jaw

I just discovered Rummy's Corner last week, been watching loads of his videos, he's brilliant I've gotta say

He was buzzed early in his career vs Levi Bullips.

I will disagree that the McCall stoppage was premature.

stujones wrote: ↑29 Jan 2023, 12:09 He was buzzed early in his career vs Levi Bullips.

I will disagree that the McCall stoppage was premature.

Aye Lewis legs were jelly in the McCall fight, the shot that Rahman knocked him out with would've knocked out a horse

handsofstone wrote: ↑29 Jan 2023, 12:24

stujones wrote: ↑29 Jan 2023, 12:09 He was buzzed early in his career vs Levi Bullips.

I will disagree that the McCall stoppage was premature.

Aye Lewis legs were jelly in the McCall fight, the shot that Rahman knocked him out with would've knocked out a horse

Had the McCall fight continued, I'm not sure Lewis would have been the same fighter - his legs were jelly for sure a minute after it was stopped.

An absolute all time great heavyweight and up there with the very best IMO. Achievements wise he might not be quite a number 1, ability wise there is a solid arguement - although I do think absolute pomp Holyfield beats him - I think there is a case he did in the rematch.

At his best I think he was capable of beating any HW in history

stujones wrote: ↑29 Jan 2023, 12:35

handsofstone wrote: ↑29 Jan 2023, 12:24

stujones wrote: ↑29 Jan 2023, 12:09 He was buzzed early in his career vs Levi Bullips.

I will disagree that the McCall stoppage was premature.

Aye Lewis legs were jelly in the McCall fight, the shot that Rahman knocked him out with would've knocked out a horse

Had the McCall fight continued, I'm not sure Lewis would have been the same fighter - his legs were jelly for sure a minute after it was stopped.

An absolute all time great heavyweight and up there with the very best IMO. Achievements wise he might not be quite a number 1, ability wise there is a solid arguement - although I do think absolute pomp Holyfield beats him - I think there is a case he did in the rematch.

Have a look at that Rummy's Corner video on YouTube Stu, it's only on about 10 mins but sums up Lewis's career perfectly

Bowe was very much on top of Lewis in the Olympics. It was a comprehensive first round in Bowes favour. Lennox came from behind there with a right hand. Fair play to him but Bowe was on top up til that point.

TheLeprechaun wrote: ↑29 Jan 2023, 13:58 Bowe was very much on top of Lewis in the Olympics. It was a comprehensive first round in Bowes favour. Lennox came from behind there with a right hand. Fair play to him but Bowe was on top up til that point.

Lennox was damn sure on top when all was said and done in their Professional careers too. Bowe threw his title in the trash, had very few more meaningful fights. Lennox Lewis became the dominant Champion of his era.

DrDuke wrote: ↑28 Jan 2023, 10:19A one of his KO losses had an arguable stoppage.

He was up at 7 and willing to continue versus McCall, but I think that was a fair stoppage.

Under modern reffing he'd have been given another 5+ seconds for the old walk-away/walk-to-me (or waved straight back in by a vintage ref!). That extra recovery might've changed the result. Versus Rahman he was just too knackered to carry on, despite beating the count by a whisker.

Both super-clean shots that most fans ascribe to his overconfidence, and we saw him take some hard clips from others without buckling. 7.5/10 chin for me.

he was stumbling into the ref when it was stopped vs mccall, after only making it up at around 8. legs were jelly and he mightve fallen over if the ref hadnt been there to support him. no doubt fighters in worse way have been allowed to go on (eg montiel spazzing out vs donaire) but i think it was a fair stoppage