Should've Lennox gave Vitali a rematch?

[mykolakozak]

A little less controversial question. Who should've won and who was stronger in that fight, forget about it. Lets handle this smaller and hpefully less controversial issue.

No winner likes to give a rematch to someone who lost. Most of the time it doesnt happen. Fair and square. You lost. Goodbye. So what makes Vitali special? Lets see:


1. That was a win by Lennox being behind on all points, and Lennoxed was booed.
2. Lennox is a athlete and he should have some respect to the fans, and the whole boxing organizion as a whole, and accept a fight that caused an extremely immenseful hype. (Remember the reaction in the arena, it doesnt get too much crazier than that.) Everyone next day was talking about it.
3. HE PROMISED ON LIVE TV TO VITALI's FACE. (Vitali came up to him, Live, seconds after the fight, and asked, do you promise me a rematch, I want a rematch: Lennox said yes.) And told Larry Merchant, "if he wants a rematch I will give it to him"


You decide.

[mykolakozak]

For what? Vitali looked like he ran face first into a semi-truck after their first encounter. Imagine if Lennox had been in shape.

But in defining a man, does one keep a promise?

[KO Boxing]

The guy was old, out of shape, and had a helluva lot of ring rust. His performance that night was enough for him to say I'm out, and EVERYONE should respect that decision... When the guy has done as much as Lewis had, and was what, 39 years old? Older?

Remember, he was originally scheduled to face Kirk Johnson, who injured himself (or pulled out) 2 weeks before the fight. Vitali, on the other hand, was also preparing for a fight, so in good condition. So they BOTH only had 2 weeks to prepare, but for a pugilist like Lennox, this probably would have put him at more of a disadvantage (and let's face it, a 255 pound Lewis still knocks out Johnson, who is clearly much EASIER than Vitali).

If Lewis chose to stay in boxing, of course the first and only guy he should have fought was Vitali. But he didn't chose, but he had/has nothing to prove. It wasn't Vitali vs Lewis prime for prime, best shape vs best shape. And despite losing on the scorecards after SIX bloody rounds, lol, he still won.

[box03]

Lennox was at the end of his career and I think he realized it that night, it was a sad way for Lennox to go out losing in alot of peoples minds who saw the fight. I think its a tough call if your Lennox, I believe he thought if he would fight Vitali again he might lose which would hurt his legacy.

[KO Boxing]

But in defining a man, does one keep a promise?
And it would be another of at least a million times in the history of boxing a fighter has said they'll give a rematch and didn't. So why is Lewis picked on so much?

If he was 30, 32, 34 or even 36 - he woulda kept on fighting and given him a rematch (and this time, made it more convincing, although I don't think Vitali can hang with a prime Lewis the first time anyhow). At 39, his weight and shape, after doing everything he had done, including a win over Vitali (you can call it close, or Vitali was winning, but if anyone tries to argue that cut should not have stopped the fight, is plainly and simply nuthugging).

NO.

Lewis didn't have to give Vitali a rematch, although it woulda been interesting if he stayed around and did. STILL, prime for prime, Vitali doesn't make it to the 6th, let alone is leading in it.

[Jazzo]

:patsch





















Lewis TKO 6

[Scar]

A little less controversial question. Who should've won and who was stronger in that fight, forget about it. Lets handle this smaller and hpefully less controversial issue.

No winner likes to give a rematch to someone who lost. Most of the time it doesnt happen. Fair and square. You lost. Goodbye. So what makes Vitali special? Lets see:


1. That was a win by Lennox being behind on all points, and Lennoxed was booed.
2. Lennox is a athlete and he should have some respect to the fans, and the whole boxing organizion as a whole, and accept a fight that caused an extremely immenseful hype. (Remember the reaction in the arena, it doesnt get too much crazier than that.) Everyone next day was talking about it.
3. HE PROMISED ON LIVE TV TO VITALI's FACE. (Vitali came up to him, Live, seconds after the fight, and asked, do you promise me a rematch, I want a rematch: Lennox said yes.) And told Larry Merchant, "if he wants a rematch I will give it to him"


You decide.

I totally agree with you and said the same exact thing back in the day but before I get into that I'll answer your question. Should Vitali have gotten the rematch right after the first fight?, OF COURSE he should. He fought his heart out and EARNED everyone's respect including Lennox. The fight was too close and the cut(caused by a punch) ended the fight despite Lewis losing it and Vitali controlling impressively at some points. He even had Lewis looking like he was out on his feet on MANY occasions but didn't have the vision to take full advantage and bomb away like he was supposed to. Lewis was also making it competitive but Vitali was given a lot more credit for losing than Lewis for winning, so the situations ALL had "REMATCH" written all over them. Why did Lewis ignore Vitali?, don't think anyone knows. The only logical answer to that is Lewis knew that he doesn't have the motivation to make a rematch and also knew that he was too old for a tough fight like that and could possibly lose it all by making a mistake and taking the fight as a 38 year old. Smart decision?, of course it's smart since he did care about history more than money. Conclusion?, Vitali deserved a rematch and earned it, too bad he didn't get it instantly like he wanted to and had to wait for 1 year to get absolutely nothing(Thought it was a cheap move by Lewis there, totally) but that's what happened in the end and we ought to move on. You clearly aren't talking about a rematch RIGHT NOW so my reply is all about the past, if you're talking about right now then I'll be more worried about Vitali in the fight than Lewis.

[Joe Gans]

Vitaly is way out of Lennox Lewis' league, lucky him that it was just a good beating and busted eye he got away with.
Why should Lennox have given him a rematch, to prove what ? Lennox' legacy is well secured, he most certainly will enter the HOF, has beaten the best in his division, and in defending his title, ranks along with the great accomplishments of a Joe Louis, Ali and Larry Holmes.
Vitaly is a tough guy, though nothing special in the legend of heavyweight boxers.

[Thom]

But in defining a man, does one keep a promise?


Promise? You mean the "promise" Lennox made to Vitali when the latter was roaming around the ring acting like a lunatic after the fight was stopped?

[PIRA]

LOL - obviously an honest, unbiased question from a neutral fan. Perhaps the topic should be reworded "Should Lennox have given Vitali undeserved rematch after rematch until he actually won one?".

And as events have shown Vitali has been an absolute warrior in the HW division and cemented an unrivalled legacy since that floggin by Lewis.:rofl :rofl

[PIRA]

But in defining a man, does one keep a promise?


LOL - sounds like a line out of a romance novel.

Personally I thought Lewis should have headbutted his disrespectful arse as soon as he cowardly pushed him and ranted and raved - but Lewis has far more class than that crybaby in the ring and out of it.

[maximumsg]

every one talks like he was behind on points because he was out of shape, I say bull shit the fight did not last but 6 rounds so being in shape had shit to do with it. The punches that lewis took made him look sluggish not because he was not in shape. Look if it was later in the fight I would agree but not when he lost 4 out of 6 rounds in the first and only half of the fight.

[elTerrible]

That fight was very close and Lennox did get lucky with the cut.

A cut, even if it comes from a punch, is still a matter of luck. No boxer goes in with a strategy of "well Ill get him stopped on cuts".

Lennox knew it was a rough fight, a fight he barely won. He knew his best days were behind him and decided to do the smart thing for his health and retire. I don think theres anything wrong with that.

IF Lennox were to continue fighting, he would basically HAVE to rematch Vitali. If Lennox went and fought someone like McCline or Trex Sanders after the Vitali fight, it would really hurt his legacy because it would be seen as an admission that he didnt think he could beat Vitali again.

[box03]

LOL - obviously an honest, unbiased question from a neutral fan. Perhaps the topic should be reworded "Should Lennox have given Vitali undeserved rematch after rematch until he actually won one?".

And as events have shown Vitali has been an absolute warrior in the HW division and cemented an unrivalled legacy since that floggin by Lewis.:rofl :rofl I dislike Lewis and Vitali, the fight was so good to watch Lewis owed the boxing public a rematch not Vitali.

[PIRA]

I dislike Lewis and Vitali, the fight was so good to watch Lewis owed the boxing public a rematch not Vitali.

No - he owed it to himself not to follow the sad route of so many other fighters having one more unnecessary fight, then another, then another in order to satisfy fans who really just want to see massacre's rather than class.

Lewis let his intentions to retire well before the fight - and Vitali was handed the chance to elevate himself on a silver platter and insted looked like he had lost a fight with a lawnmower. Four cuts to the face is not luck - that is a fundamental inability to deal with Lewis' accuracy with DEFENCE.

[Marnoff]

There should have been a rematch afterwards. As soon as the cut healed. It would have been huge. This was a very compelling fight. Any time you watch it, it is pure excitement. The ending with Vitali having the support of the crowd, but Lennox having the victory, and both combatants highly charged was absolutely huge.

[PIRA]

There should have been a rematch afterwards. As soon as the cut healed. It would have been huge. This was a very compelling fight. Any time you watch it, it is pure excitement. The ending with Vitali having the support of the crowd, but Lennox having the victory, and both combatants highly charged was absolutely huge.

Should it have been after the cut, after, the knee,after the shoulder, after the heart? LOL - Lennox could have been potentially 50 by the time Vitali got his shit together as his subsequent non-efforts proved.

[El Bombasto]

lennox didn't/doesn't owe vitali shit....vit klit was a late repacement and had his one and only chance and his body failed him (sound familiar?) so tuff luck vit klit, your legacy will be a matter of what could have been instead of what was........maybe if you can get yourself together and put together a comeback....nah, forget it...............

[bb251]

Yes... It would still sell...

[box03]

No - he owed it to himself not to follow the sad route of so many other fighters having one more unnecessary fight, then another, then another in order to satisfy fans who really just want to see massacre's rather than class.

Lewis let his intentions to retire well before the fight - and Vitali was handed the chance to elevate himself on a silver platter and insted looked like he had lost a fight with a lawnmower. Four cuts to the face is not luck - that is a fundamental inability to deal with Lewis' accuracy with DEFENCE. The fight was a great fight to watch from a boxing fans stand point. Lewis just fought the wrong type of fight thats all.

[Hawks28]

And it would be another of at least a million times in the history of boxing a fighter has said they'll give a rematch and didn't. So why is Lewis picked on so much?

If he was 30, 32, 34 or even 36 - he woulda kept on fighting and given him a rematch (and this time, made it more convincing, although I don't think Vitali can hang with a prime Lewis the first time anyhow). At 39, his weight and shape, after doing everything he had done, including a win over Vitali (you can call it close, or Vitali was winning, but if anyone tries to argue that cut should not have stopped the fight, is plainly and simply nuthugging).

NO.

Lewis didn't have to give Vitali a rematch, although it woulda been interesting if he stayed around and did. STILL, prime for prime, Vitali doesn't make it to the 6th, let alone is leading in it.

exactly. Its not like Lennox was in his early 20s. Everyone knew the end was nearing for Lennox. I wouldnt have complained if he did give Vitali a rematch, but he didnt have to. He would have beaten him again anyway.

[brooklyn1550]

I would have liked for him to give Vitali a rematch, but I am okay with Lennox calling it a career

[OCAVE]

Lennox Won..End of story...Will this Topic Ever DIE?

[barneyrub]

A little less controversial question. Who should've won and who was stronger in that fight, forget about it. Lets handle this smaller and hpefully less controversial issue.

No winner likes to give a rematch to someone who lost. Most of the time it doesnt happen. Fair and square. You lost. Goodbye. So what makes Vitali special? Lets see:


1. That was a win by Lennox being behind on all points, and Lennoxed was booed.
2. Lennox is a athlete and he should have some respect to the fans, and the whole boxing organizion as a whole, and accept a fight that caused an extremely immenseful hype. (Remember the reaction in the arena, it doesnt get too much crazier than that.) Everyone next day was talking about it.
3. HE PROMISED ON LIVE TV TO VITALI's FACE. (Vitali came up to him, Live, seconds after the fight, and asked, do you promise me a rematch, I want a rematch: Lennox said yes.) And told Larry Merchant, "if he wants a rematch I will give it to him"


You decide.He didnt "Promise", tell me when he said, "I promise", he didnt, he talked to Larry Merchant about doing so if the money was right and that he would think about it blah blah. Vitali got that lost in translation and described that as a promise lol. Thats his problem.
In the ring Vitali screamed "rematch rematch", Lewis said "no problem", almost in a way to calm Vitlali down and say whatever as vitali punched his arm and acted drunkenly aggresive, he did NOT promise. Maybe vitali uttered the word promise but Lewis didnt. Vitali sure didnt behave like a gentleman in that exchange, his brother had to pull him away as he hit Lewis and a melee occurred. So vitali was one round up in the scoring woohoo, he was out on his feet in rd 6 and bleeding from 4 cuts.

[barneyrub]

But in defining a man, does one keep a promise?There was no promise, vitali aggressively behaved ungentlemanly in the ring after the fight at the time you seem to think a gentlemans agreement took place lol, why not mention that in your ridiculous besmirchment of Lewis which this thread is.

[barneyrub]

every one talks like he was behind on points because he was out of shape, I say bull shit the fight did not last but 6 rounds so being in shape had shit to do with it. The punches that lewis took made him look sluggish not because he was not in shape. Look if it was later in the fight I would agree but not when he lost 4 out of 6 rounds in the first and only half of the fight.thats a swing of one round, wow big margin, wow he really was winning big, a one round difference at the halfway mark.

[anut]

nope he beat him fair and square no rematch.....look at lennoxs face after the fight and look at vitalis.....yes vitali was ahead on points but he was gonna get serouisly hurt by a huge power puncher/......vitali was lucky the fight was over cause it coulda been his last....period

[Mendoza]

A little less controversial question. Who should've won and who was stronger in that fight, forget about it. Lets handle this smaller and hpefully less controversial issue.

No winner likes to give a rematch to someone who lost. Most of the time it doesnt happen. Fair and square. You lost. Goodbye. So what makes Vitali special? Lets see:


1. That was a win by Lennox being behind on all points, and Lennoxed was booed.
2. Lennox is a athlete and he should have some respect to the fans, and the whole boxing organizion as a whole, and accept a fight that caused an extremely immenseful hype. (Remember the reaction in the arena, it doesnt get too much crazier than that.) Everyone next day was talking about it.
3. HE PROMISED ON LIVE TV TO VITALI's FACE. (Vitali came up to him, Live, seconds after the fight, and asked, do you promise me a rematch, I want a rematch: Lennox said yes.) And told Larry Merchant, "if he wants a rematch I will give it to him"


You decide.

Yes. Lewis said he would, told the press he would, and had 15M on the table for him....then he saw Vitali thrash Krik Johnson, and thought to himself, I don't think this HUGE reward is worth the risk.

[ChrisPontius]

Given the fact that 4 years later every thread about it STILL explodes, there is not a single part of me that doubt the deservedness of this rematch. For Vitali, that is. I can understand Lewis having no motivation anymore and not wanting to take the risk at his high age, he had nothing left to prove.

Larry Holmes ducked far more rematches in his prime against far lesser opposition.

[ChrisPontius]

Get your facts straight. He had to wait 3 years before being able to rematch McCall.

The Rahman rematch was immediate, and so what?

It is now his fault that he got back in the ring to prove who is the best? :lol:

[mykolakozak]

Moment of honesty: Yes. Absolutely. Lennox won, means he won. But was that a fight that a Great Boxer wants to end his legacy with? Lennox gets haunted by that fight. (Emmanuel Steward himself said it)

And about him retiring, he mentioned retiring, but not three weeks after his fight. He said soon. That was bit too soon considering a fight about which he answered "Cause he never has before" when asked "Why he thought he couldnt take a punch"

It was an exiting fight, Lennox dissed us the whole boxing community by quiting on a fight that so many people wanted to see again. 14 years of professional boxing, and he couldn't wait 6 more months. Klitschko v Lewis II was in the works almost right next day, its not like Lennox had to fight some other scrap like Kirk who Vitali annihilated in 2nd round. He could've waited and tooken something like 15 million dollars and gave ppl what they wanted.

But he didnt and he gets haunted by that fighted. A great hero leaving boxing with a tail hanging in between his feet.

[reebok4]

:dead :tired :pukke

[mykolakozak]

One doesn't have to read this, and can skip it: This is topic on cultural values from Ukraine about keeping a promise.

Where I am from, and the Klitschko brothers, failing to keep a promise is a huge disrespect. My dad hurt his back once and failing to keep a promise of helping someone till this day he remembers and says I should've been a man, and lifted myself up and done it. But not just Ukrainians. Much of the Soviet upbringing (especially like those of the Klitschko who's father was a military leader in the Soviet army) was very strict on this type of cultural value. One must answer for his words. In fact many fights between kids on the school yard or whatever, from where I am from is due because someone said something and now has to answer for his words. One learns not to say something he doesnt mean. This is why many (and Im talking about the ones who actually are culturally Slavic, many arent) like Povetkin, klitschkos, and even Emilianenko (from UFC I think he is) talked so little, and when they say something its almost never a joke or something they didnt mean.

American literature taught in schools then and now, was Hemingway. When one of his characters spends 24 hours arm wrestling but refusing to give up. If he is weaker then fine, but he will not give up. Jack London, where many of his characters are what I see the Klitschko brothers as. I wouldnt be surprised if he was one of their father writers. Jack London has a story about a man who promised to make a silly little delivery, got there too late and then made a trip through a huge part of Canadian arctic, walking in to make the delivery in some snowy shed at about his death.

Keep your word is a religion. It is so to Vitali, and to the Ukrainian community. This is why it is so hard to understand how can one say that he will and not pull up on it when millions are watching, I will never understand.

Someone said it was done to quiet ecstatic Vitali. Is that how a legendary boxer like Lennox quiets another man?

[Claypole]

Vitali was lucky Lewis retired after their fight. He may have been slightly up on the scorecards at the time of the stoppage, but he was all done. Perhaps people forget that this was scheduled for 12 rounds, not 6.
What do people honestly think would've happened in a rematch? Exactly the same thing, only quicker. Vitali's skin would not be any tougher, and if you want to know how Lewis performs in rematches, just ask Rahman.
Vitali fans need to let the Lewis fight/rematch thing go. Perhaps it would not be debated so much if Vitali had achieved more in his career.

[The Exile]

No - he owed it to himself not to follow the sad route of so many other fighters having one more unnecessary fight, then another, then another in order to satisfy fans who really just want to see massacre's rather than class.

Lewis let his intentions to retire well before the fight - and Vitali was handed the chance to elevate himself on a silver platter and insted looked like he had lost a fight with a lawnmower. Four cuts to the face is not luck - that is a fundamental inability to deal with Lewis' accuracy with DEFENCE.



I agree with you 100%


Lewis owe's Vitali nothing - he got his chance didnt he.

Lewis doesnt owe the boxing community (as the author of this thread puts it) nothing. He put nearly 20 years of his life into the sport and had fans against him for nearly the whole period he fought.

Just because the Klit nuthuggers still cant except that there boy got beat FAIR and SQUARE doesnt mean that Lewis should jeaopordise his health to appease them.

Vitali still had his chance once Lewis rightly retired with his health, integrity and respect intact.

Klit fans need to realise that Vitali didnt have the skills nor body to carry on where Lewis left.

Another thing that is really boring is the "he was behind on the cards" crap - since when were Championship fights fought over 6 rounds? If he was stopped in the 11th or 12th round and was winning a landslide decision then they could complain but for fucks sake in was the 6th round and he was going to get KO'd soon anyway :good



At the end of the day -


LEWIS TKO 6 VITALI

[mykolakozak]

I agree with you 100%


Lewis owe's Vitali nothing - he got his chance didnt he.

Lewis doesnt owe the boxing community (as the author of this thread puts it) nothing. He put nearly 20 years of his life into the sport and had fans against him for nearly the whole period he fought.

Just because the Klit nuthuggers still cant except that there boy got beat FAIR and SQUARE doesnt mean that Lewis should jeaopordise his health to appease them.

Vitali still had his chance once Lewis rightly retired with his health, integrity and respect intact.

Klit fans need to realise that Vitali didnt have the skills nor body to carry on where Lewis left.

Another thing that is really boring is the "he was behind on the cards" crap - since when were Championship fights fought over 6 rounds? If he was stopped in the 11th or 12th round and was winning a landslide decision then they could complain but for fucks sake in was the 6th round and he was going to get KO'd soon anyway :good



At the end of the day -


LEWIS TKO 6 VITALI

Not according to Emannuel Steward who two months ago said that Vitali had a very good chance of winning that fight had the doctor not stopped it. so stop showing of with big letters. Just cause your font is bigger usually means you know you wrong and you angry

[Mendoza]

I agree with you 100%


Lewis owe's Vitali nothing - he got his chance didnt he.

Lewis doesnt owe the boxing community (as the author of this thread puts it) nothing. He put nearly 20 years of his life into the sport and had fans against him for nearly the whole period he fought.

Just because the Klit nuthuggers still cant except that there boy got beat FAIR and SQUARE doesnt mean that Lewis should jeaopordise his health to appease them.

Vitali still had his chance once Lewis rightly retired with his health, integrity and respect intact.

Klit fans need to realise that Vitali didnt have the skills nor body to carry on where Lewis left.

Another thing that is really boring is the "he was behind on the cards" crap - since when were Championship fights fought over 6 rounds? If he was stopped in the 11th or 12th round and was winning a landslide decision then they could complain but for fucks sake in was the 6th round and he was going to get KO'd soon anyway :good

Well. you are aware Lewis offered Vitlai the fight on less than 2 weeks notice, and Vitali was training for a 10 round fight then on the same card. Advantage for Lewis. Vitali was also suing Lewis, who signed a cotnract with his compnay Lion Promotions to meet Kiltschko. This is why Lewis, who needed a sub for Johnson gave Vitlai a title shot.

The fight itself was a classic. Vitali was up 4-2 on all three cards. This means Lewis needs to win 4 of the next 6 rounds on at least TWO card to get a draw. Both fighters were rocked. Lewis looked tired at the end of the 6th. Vitlai had a bad cut, but he could see out of the eye. No one knows what happens in the 7th.

What is known is the Lewis said he would give the re-match on air and in the press. Everyone was talking about it. The money was there. This was a mega fight.

Lewis knew deep down that he would not be as lucky the next time around, ran his mouth for 8 months or so as Vitali kept telling the press he was ready for the re-match. Then Lewis quietly retired.

[barneyrub]

Well. you are aware Lewis offered Vitlai the fight on less than 2 weeks notice, and Vitali was training for a 10 round fight then on the same card. Advantage for Lewis. Vitali was also suing Lewis, who signed a cotnract with his compnay Lion Promotions to meet Kiltschko. This is why Lewis, who needed a sub for Johnson gave Vitlai a title shot.

The fight itself was a classic. Vitali was up 4-2 on all three cards. This means Lewis needs to win 4 of the next 6 rounds on at least TWO card to get a draw. Both fighters were rocked. Lewis looked tired at the end of the 6th. Vitlai had a bad cut, but he could see out of the eye. No one knows what happens in the 7th.

What is known is the Lewis said he would give the re-match on air and in the press. Everyone was talking about it. The money was there. This was a mega fight.

Lewis knew deep down that he would not be as lucky the next time around, ran his mouth for 8 months or so as Vitali kept telling the press he was ready for the re-match. Then Lewis quietly retired.vitali was out on his feet in the 6th rd, he staggered across the ring at the end oly staying up by grabbing onto Lewis`s waist, he came up in the corner and kind of looked around as if he was wondering where he was, he didnt defend himself or throw a punch as Lewis hit him with uppercuts at the bell.

[barneyrub]

Not according to Emannuel Steward who two months ago said that Vitali had a very good chance of winning that fight had the doctor not stopped it. so stop showing of with big letters. Just cause your font is bigger usually means you know you wrong and you angryLewis and Emmanuel were doing a q and a before the maywather fight, Lewis said he was getting a second wind and would have knocked vitali out in the next round, Emmanuel agreed then said thats why he wanted to see the rematch to show people what would have happened.

[barneyrub]

One doesn't have to read this, and can skip it: This is topic on cultural values from Ukraine about keeping a promise.

Where I am from, and the Klitschko brothers, failing to keep a promise is a huge disrespect. My dad hurt his back once and failing to keep a promise of helping someone till this day he remembers and says I should've been a man, and lifted myself up and done it. But not just Ukrainians. Much of the Soviet upbringing (especially like those of the Klitschko who's father was a military leader in the Soviet army) was very strict on this type of cultural value. One must answer for his words. In fact many fights between kids on the school yard or whatever, from where I am from is due because someone said something and now has to answer for his words. One learns not to say something he doesnt mean. This is why many (and Im talking about the ones who actually are culturally Slavic, many arent) like Povetkin, klitschkos, and even Emilianenko (from UFC I think he is) talked so little, and when they say something its almost never a joke or something they didnt mean.

American literature taught in schools then and now, was Hemingway. When one of his characters spends 24 hours arm wrestling but refusing to give up. If he is weaker then fine, but he will not give up. Jack London, where many of his characters are what I see the Klitschko brothers as. I wouldnt be surprised if he was one of their father writers. Jack London has a story about a man who promised to make a silly little delivery, got there too late and then made a trip through a huge part of Canadian arctic, walking in to make the delivery in some snowy shed at about his death.

Keep your word is a religion. It is so to Vitali, and to the Ukrainian community. This is why it is so hard to understand how can one say that he will and not pull up on it when millions are watching, I will never understand.

Someone said it was done to quiet ecstatic Vitali. Is that how a legendary boxer like Lennox quiets another man?Lewis NEVER made a promise, thats where your argument fails. Vitali seemed to use he word "Promise" in his mixed up english translation afterwards but that isnt the correct word. Vitli didnt act gentlemanly in the ring afterwards and wher eI come from acting like a bitch when you lose and pushing and punching your opponent is ungentlemanly.

[KO byBRIGGS]

I´m a big Lennox Lewis fan but he should have given Vitali a rematch. I have no doubt he would have beaten him a second time but it´s a honor thing.your not making any sense? honour? he made Vitalis face look like he was beaten with baseball bats. He lost stop crying this was years ago. Lennox did his part for the division and owed no one......

[The Exile]

The fact we're still debating / discussing / arguing this all these years on proves one things though: Not having the rematch has hurt Lewis's longterm standing.



The only people debating or bringing this up are Vitali Nuthuggers who still cant accept that there man got beat and had a face like chopped pork.

Obviously Lewis fans are going to defend him.

I was a not a fan of either of them but i know who won the fight.

[The Exile]

Not according to Emannuel Steward who two months ago said that Vitali had a very good chance of winning that fight had the doctor not stopped it. so stop showing of with big letters. Just cause your font is bigger usually means you know you wrong and you angry



Just so you know, i was not a fan of Lewis and i prefered watching Tyson and Holyfield fights rather than Lewis.

I dont give a shit what anyone says, the fact remains that Lewis won the fight fairly and Vitali acted like a bitch afterwards.

Im not angry, i think you will find that the people who have anger issues regarding this fight are the Klit nuthuggers who constantly make threads about this fight, where they will make up excuse after excuse about how there man was robbed which is complete bullshit.



Lewis TKO6 Vitali

[The Exile]

VITALI KLITSCHKO TAKING ABOUT LEWIS AND REMATCH:deal

On Lennox Lewis: "Lewis talks too much. After the fight [in 2003 that was stopped by a ringside doctor] he promised me a rematch. Then he told me I had to fight Kirk Johnson first. So I fought Kirk Johnson and knocked him out. The boxing commission began putting pressure on Lewis, saying that if he didn't fight me he would lose the title. He retired instead. I am the person who sent him into retirement. He made a smart decision." :yep




Danny Williams sent Klitschko into retirement :hey

[standing 8]

I would have liked to seen a rematch, but Lennox was under no obligation to fight Vitali again.

[Boro chris]

The fact we're still debating / discussing / arguing this all these years on proves one things though: Not having the rematch has hurt Lewis's longterm standing.

It shouldn't do to anyone objective.

[The Exile]

how the the heck is that, by getting knocked down 4 times then knocked out ,
i would think you were taking about Rock , but still that not the answer, no it was Travis Walker that put Vitali into retirement ,knocking him down in sparing less than 2 weeks before the fight with Rock and messing up his knee after Vitali hit the mat. Vitali Klitschko win be champion again ,early 08 the Champ returns



It was a joke.


Vitali did not send Lewis into retirement. Lewis beat Vitali!!!!!! Its not as if he was ko'd into retirement was it. He realised he was not the fighter he once was and didnt want to tarnish his legacy like so many have done before him.

He should be applauded for this rather than ending up like Tyson, Holy, Bowe from recent years who get beat up by guys who wouldnt have been competitive sparring partners in there prime.


Danny Williams took all the fight out of Vitali :yep

[The Exile]

Lennox got lucky and opened a cut in a fight that he was losing ,they should change the rules on that ,if a fighter is ahead in the fight and gets cut by a punch and the fight gets stopped it should be a no decision, if the guy is down on the cards a TKO ,a fight getting stopped when a fighter has not been knocked down or taking a lot of Punch's ,just getting stopped cause of a cut should not cause him to lose if he was winning to that point. just a idea

Lennox Lewis will never fight Vitali Klitschko again ,no matter the cash amount ,he Retired to avoid being beat by a man he knew he could not knock down or out and he did not want to take the amount of shots he would have to take to have a chance of winning a fight with Vitali ,so he chose to retire ,cause he did not have enough heart to take a beating to win .
Vitali Klitschko will comeback and be Champion again, Lennox will not and did not retire a Champion cause there was a man he knew could beat him and he chose to go and run away.




Are you having a laugh or what!!!

Lewis retired undisputed champion. FACT.

Vitali retired without a single win over a number 1 contender. FACT.

There resume's are not even comparable. FACT.

[standing 8]

Lennox got lucky and opened a cut in a fight that he was losing ,they should change the rules on that ,if a fighter is ahead in the fight and gets cut by a punch and the fight gets stopped it should be a no decision, if the guy is down on the cards a TKO ,a fight getting stopped when a fighter has not been knocked down or taking a lot of Punch's ,just getting stopped cause of a cut should not cause him to lose if he was winning to that point. just a idea

I think that would be bad for the sport. A fight being stopped because of cuts caused by being hit cleanly is totally different from a stoppage caused by a clash of heads.

[TanstA]

People think it's that easy. Were you guys in the ring?
It was probably hell for Lewis. The whole fight he was eating shots from Dr.Steelhammers brother. 6 Rounds of that is enough. Lewis made a smart decision.

[mykolakozak]

One, stop with the Lewis made Vitalis face look like he went head first into a truck. Get a mirror, a razor, and cut your upper eye lid. Then give it 30 seconds, take a picture, and compare it to Vitali. Lewis cut his skin on an eye lid thats why his face looked so messed up. If Vitali was black and Lennox was white this would be a different story. Many boxing and fight doctors, not at all racist, have speculated tons of times, the white skin cuts much easier than the black skin. And also, a bruise can be clearly seen on a white skin, not as well on a dark skin. Its no prejudice, its the truth. I have a skin issue where I scratch a little too hard and for a while my skin puffs up a little. And this is similar between the two races fighting. If Vitali got slammed with a hammer and Lennox the same way, Vitali would look much worst. So please stop talking about him looking so bad.

[The Exile]

Vitali Klitschko retired Ring Champion . Fact

Lennox retired cause No HEART! Fact

:finger




Name 1 top contender Vitali beat. :blurp

[mykolakozak]

Two, everyone talks about Lennox improving in the last rounds. Lennox lost round 5 and 6. And it was not Vitali who stumbled to his chair but Lennox who when the 6th finished did a 180 throwing his whole weight to the chair. Jim Lampley sais something like "oh Lennox is barely holding on to his feet falling to the chair" Vitali was much more agrresive in the last round, its just that it ended with lennox locking Vitali with two hands and dragging him to the other side of the ring.

[ZabKlitschko]

For what? Vitali looked like he ran face first into a semi-truck after their first encounter. Imagine if Lennox had been in shape.
That's such a fucking stupid analogy.

Nobody but the doctor stopped Klitschko that night.

Yeah, it would have been stupid for him to have continued. But if it had gone on -- Klitschko had won the fight and ended up retiring regardless because Lewis did too much damage, he would have been a bigger legend than if he had beat Lewis easily and gone on to fight a series of bums.

Lewis didn't beat Klitschko that night. Klitschko had the will to go on. And the will to settle it all in a rematch.

LEWIS DIDN'T HAVE THAT WILL.

So who wins in turn? Klitschko.

H-E-A-R-T.

Lennox retired because he knew he had nothing left .. and if he did, his ego would have propelled him to show it.

Name 1 top contender Vitali beat. :blurp

Herbie Hide; Corrie Sanders.

[The Exile]

One, stop with the Lewis made Vitalis face look like he went head first into a truck. Get a mirror, a razor, and cut your upper eye lid. Then give it 30 seconds, take a picture, and compare it to Vitali. Lewis cut his skin on an eye lid thats why his face looked so messed up. If Vitali was black and Lennox was white this would be a different story. Many boxing and fight doctors, not at all racist, have speculated tons of times, the white skin cuts much easier than the black skin. And also, a bruise can be clearly seen on a white skin, not as well on a dark skin. Its no prejudice, its the truth. I have a skin issue where I scratch a little too hard and for a while my skin puffs up a little. And this is similar between the two races fighting. If Vitali got slammed with a hammer and Lennox the same way, Vitali would look much worst. So please stop talking about him looking so bad.



:rofl :lol: :rofl :lol: :rofl :lol: :rofl


I suppose he should have been allowed to continue.



[Only registered and activated users can see links] ([Only registered and activated users can see links]**[Only registered and activated users can see links] Bklitschko%252Bcut%2526fr%253Dyfp-t-501%2526ei%253DUTF-8%26w=300%26h=300%26imgurl=[Only registered and activated users can see links] 26rurl=[Only registered and activated users can see links]***********.com%252Fforums%252Fshowthread.php%253Ft%253D36528%26size=1 7.8kB%26name=big_2005_01_29_1_01_vitya8_nagy.jpg%26p=vitali%2Bklitschko%2Bcut%26type=jpeg%26no=7%26t t=7%26oid=ea9ed7f41829460c%26ei=UTF-8)

[The Exile]

That's such a fucking stupid analogy.

Nobody but the doctor stopped Klitschko that night.

Yeah, it would have been stupid for him to have continued. But if it had gone on -- Klitschko had won the fight and ended up retiring regardless because Lewis did too much damage, he would have been a bigger legend than if he had beat Lewis easily and gone on to fight a series of bums.

Lewis didn't beat Klitschko that night. Klitschko had the will to go on. And the will to settle it all in a rematch.

LEWIS DIDN'T HAVE THAT WILL.

So who wins in turn? Klitschko.

H-E-A-R-T.

Lennox retired because he knew he had nothing left .. and if he did, his ego would have propelled him to show it.



Herbie Hide; Corrie Sanders.




I said No1 contender.

Herbie Hide was a top 10 contender at best and has a chin with more glass than Wladimir.

Corrie Sanders was never a No1 contender, he was semi-retired when he beat Wlad. Sure he could hit hard but if those are the best fighters that Vitali beat then you just proved my point - He has never beat a No1 contender


Wlad has a better resume and Lewis's record shits all over Vitali's.

[barneyrub]

Two, everyone talks about Lennox improving in the last rounds. Lennox lost round 5 and 6. And it was not Vitali who stumbled to his chair but Lennox who when the 6th finished did a 180 throwing his whole weight to the chair. Jim Lampley sais something like "oh Lennox is barely holding on to his feet falling to the chair" Vitali was much more agrresive in the last round, its just that it ended with lennox locking Vitali with two hands and dragging him to the other side of the ring.Vitali definatley lost rds 5 and 6. Lewis did alot of damage inthos e2 rds and at the end of rd 6 vitali was out on his feet holding onto lewis to stay up while getting hit and not defending himself.

[JAM Killer]

Lewis didn't run from Vitali, he retired after a very long career, there is a difference.

Let us stop talking about this subject, there are too many good fights coming up to talk about this old shit.

[barneyrub]

Sure but Vitali gave him one of his toughest fights and was ahead at the cards at the time of the stoppage. Additionally it isn´t like Lewis koed VK but it was a stoppage on cuts. So, for me it´s a win for Lennox but a kind of a bitter win and so a rematch would have been the right thing to do.vitali was ahead by one rounds difference and if you consider the fact that vitali won the first round which was a nothing affair then that score means little, what means mor eis the state of vitalis face, 2 cuts above the eye, one below the eye and cuts in the lips and mouth.

[barneyrub]

Lennox got lucky and opened a cut in a fight that he was losing ,they should change the rules on that ,if a fighter is ahead in the fight and gets cut by a punch and the fight gets stopped it should be a no decision, if the guy is down on the cards a TKO ,a fight getting stopped when a fighter has not been knocked down or taking a lot of Punch's ,just getting stopped cause of a cut should not cause him to lose if he was winning to that point. just a idea

Lennox Lewis will never fight Vitali Klitschko again ,no matter the cash amount ,he Retired to avoid being beat by a man he knew he could not knock down or out and he did not want to take the amount of shots he would have to take to have a chance of winning a fight with Vitali ,so he chose to retire ,cause he did not have enough heart to take a beating to win .
Vitali Klitschko will comeback and be Champion again, Lennox will not and did not retire a Champion cause there was a man he knew could beat him and he chose to go and run away.Thats the stupidest thing ever posted! By that logic why not make it a rule that if your ahead in a fight then get ko`d then it should be a no decision or go to the scorecards lol, in that case Tua got beat by Rahman, Maskaev, Oquendo also lol. :patsch

[Heavyrighthand]

The guy was old, out of shape, and had a helluva lot of ring rust. His performance that night was enough for him to say I'm out, and EVERYONE should respect that decision... When the guy has done as much as Lewis had, and was what, 39 years old? Older?

.

Lewis was only 37, he promised a rematch, he also had time to prepare as much as he wanted/needed for a rematch.

But Lewis chose to not press his luck, and decided to bow out, rather than risk losing a fight that he, himself, probably doubted he could win.


Lewis knew, after trying to handle Vitali in the first fight, that Vitali was as every bit as good as he was, and that he (Lewis) was hurt at two or three times in that first fight, and luckily managed cut Vitali, even though the iron chinned Vitali was never hurt, or even staggered, as Lewis was, more than once. Bad sign for Lewis.


Lewis decided it best to not risk it, even if he did have to go back on his word of a rematch.

[barneyrub]

instantly, 1 year, 3 years he should have given Vitali the same curtesy he wanted from others so in a way yes he should have given a rematch - you only need to look @ his expression afetr the fight to know he was thinking"Shit I was lucky to get through that.."

Go on, watch again, after the fight his face speak VOLUMESWell Lewis got a rematch with Mccall only becaus ehe fought an eliminater and the WBC decreed that Mccall should fight Lewis for the vacant title, Mccall refuse dto give him a rematch while he held the title.
Lewis got a rematch from Rahman because he took him to court enforcin a contract clause he was smart enough to put in the first fight contract, Rahman didnt want to fight him again. Lewis didnt get given his shots, he had to fight for them and was prepare dto go to court to get them, he didnt cry about it like vitali.

[mykolakozak]

Vitali definatley lost rds 5 and 6. Lewis did alot of damage inthos e2 rds and at the end of rd 6 vitali was out on his feet holding onto lewis to stay up while getting hit and not defending himself.

Here is a professional look to the rounds that vitali lost and won:
[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Vitali was much more aggresive in rounds 5 and 6 and did win them. Dont let the splattered blood on his face fool you. Its a cut. The only thing it means is that Klitschko is at disadvantage in sight and in loosing his strength.

So that the fight stopped is fine, but if Lennox couldve granted him a remach. 15 millions of $

[mykolakozak]

So that the fight stopped is fine, but Lennox could've granted him a rematch. 15 millions of $$$ to fight a bum who Lennox once oready destroyed and its the same bum with a bad resume and never beat a #1 contender. Something tells me there was more.

[JAM Killer]

So that the fight stopped is fine, but Lennox could've granted him a rematch. 15 millions of $$$ to fight a bum who Lennox once oready destroyed and its the same bum with a bad resume and never beat a #1 contender. Something tells me there was more.

Yeah there is more, Lennox relized that he did not have the passion to fight any longer. Lennox is a fucking braveheart, Vitali does not scare Lennox, I am sure about that!

[barneyrub]

Since when does the look of a fighter influence a fight? Is there a new rule or something?Its not the look, its the fact that the cuts and damage suffered by Vitali was judged by a doctor to be too severe for him to continue!

[kg0208]

So that the fight stopped is fine, but Lennox could've granted him a rematch. 15 millions of $$$ to fight a bum who Lennox once oready destroyed and its the same bum with a bad resume and never beat a #1 contender. Something tells me there was more.

He retired. If he had fought another fight and it wasn't Vitali, fine. But he didn't. Every man has the right to retire. Period. He was old. He won. It's over.

[PATSYS]

A little less controversial question. Who should've won and who was stronger in that fight, forget about it. Lets handle this smaller and hpefully less controversial issue.

No winner likes to give a rematch to someone who lost. Most of the time it doesnt happen. Fair and square. You lost. Goodbye. So what makes Vitali special? Lets see:


1. That was a win by Lennox being behind on all points, and Lennoxed was booed.
2. Lennox is a athlete and he should have some respect to the fans, and the whole boxing organizion as a whole, and accept a fight that caused an extremely immenseful hype. (Remember the reaction in the arena, it doesnt get too much crazier than that.) Everyone next day was talking about it.
3. HE PROMISED ON LIVE TV TO VITALI's FACE. (Vitali came up to him, Live, seconds after the fight, and asked, do you promise me a rematch, I want a rematch: Lennox said yes.) And told Larry Merchant, "if he wants a rematch I will give it to him"


You decide.

No.

Next question.

[mykolakozak]

No.

Next question.

HAHA...too true. Unfortunately this thread became like all the other. One thing is for sure I would love to see part 2 happen. I dont mean for Lennox to come back, but back than. Whether Lennox should've or shouldn't have is starting too much hype. Hopefully when he writes a book or ones comes up on him, maybe someone if not he himself will tell us what he thinks. But not now, like when he is 65 and ready to look at it from more of an objective point of view. At the moment he is still close to the heat.

[mykolakozak]

Let's see what George Foreman had to say:

In London to promote his new Cafe George food griller, Foreman said: "If Lewis walked away from Klitschko now, he might end up spending the rest of his life regretting he didn't prove that he could beat this guy fair and square."

In a remarkable testimony to Lewis, the American added: "I believe he will fight on.

A challenge has been made by Klitschko and Lewis has never, ever, been afraid of a challenge.

"How do I know that? Because of what I saw in that first fight between those two.

"Klitschko caught Lewis by surprise early on and, at the end of one round, Lewis just flopped down on to his stool. At that moment I saw the question 'what am I fighting here for?' appear in his face.

"As a boxer who has been where Lewis was at that moment, I could read what was going on in his mind," added Foreman.

[standing 8]

as far as i'm concerned, vitali won, Lennox lewis quit.

It wasn't Lewis that stopped the match. Are you saying that Vitali automatically wins the rematch because Lewis retired from boxing?

[Claypole]

Vitali Klitschko will comeback and be Champion again, Lennox will not and did not retire a Champion cause there was a man he knew could beat him and he chose to go and run away.What on earth are you talking about? In case you've missed something here Lennox beat Vitali, then retired.
Lewis had achieved more than enough to deserve to retire, certainly more than Vitali will ever achieve. Lennox Lewis was one of the most outstanding and honourable fighters of recent years. He had more talent and heart than both the Klitschko brothers put together.
Vitali had the best chance of actually achieving something worthwhile against a faded champ at the end of his career. He put in a good effort but ultimately failed. Lewis agreed to a rematch, but decided his health was more important and retired.
He went out of the sport as Champ, despite what you think. Lennox Lewis is not responsible for Vitali Klitschko failing at the top level, get over it.

[mykolakozak]

What on earth are you talking about? In case you've missed something here Lennox beat Vitali, then retired.
Lewis had achieved more than enough to deserve to retire, certainly more than Vitali will ever achieve. Lennox Lewis was one of the most outstanding and honourable fighters of recent years. He had more talent and heart than both the Klitschko brothers put together.
Vitali had the best chance of actually achieving something worthwhile against a faded champ at the end of his career. He put in a good effort but ultimately failed. Lewis agreed to a rematch, but decided his health was more important and retired.
He went out of the sport as Champ, despite what you think. Lennox Lewis is not responsible for Vitali Klitschko failing at the top level, get over it.

Yes Lennox did enough to retire, but 15 years of professional boxing, would 6 more months with a 15 million dollar pay check hurt?

[box03]

Yes Lennox did enough to retire, but 15 years of professional boxing, would 6 more months with a 15 million dollar pay check hurt? Lewis didnt want to tarnish his Legacy like Tyson did, Vitali was at his peak while Lewis career was on the decline.

[boxingcar]

Yes , He should've because Vitali was winning their first fight.
vitali had the point advantage on the card.
and he wasn't about to get koed either...he had the chin , the technic...

but that huge cut ruined all his chances.

[Feiti]

I´m a fan of both just so you know that.

For his own sake I think Lennox should not have given him a rematch, since Lewis was getting old and slipping, it had been very close the first time round and Vitali was just getting better. It would have been a poor personal decision on Lewis´ part.

As for boxing goes and the good of the fans then YES he should. It would have been a huge money fight and finally an exciting fight to determine the #1 in the division. Vitali had also shown himself to belong in the ring with Lewis and that he would quite possibly be able to win.

So generally it was pretty lame how Lewis let Vitali wait and then just got out of there.

[Feiti]

I do believe that prime for prime Lewis was quite a lot better than Vitali though

[Claypole]

Yes Lennox did enough to retire, but 15 years of professional boxing, would 6 more months with a 15 million dollar pay check hurt?Considering Lewis's age, where he was in his career, and all the tough fights he had endured (and there were plenty), another 6 months may well have hurt in the long run. Even though I am confident Lewis would have won a rematch, I respect his decision to retire, and I hope he stays retired.
If people want to talk about what could or would have happened, imagine how Vitali would have fared agains a prime Lewis.

[barneyrub]

"The booing bothered me," Lennox admits. "We'd both fought as hard as we could. We'd fought and fought, giving it everything we had." As for the fight itself, "Klitschko got off to a good start, but he was fighting off emotion and that lasts just so long. Also, I'm a slow starter. As a fight goes on, I get stronger. If I'd been in Tyson shape or Rahman-rematch shape, I would have looked better. But I'm satisfied with the Klitschko fight. Not happy about it, but satisfied. I brought Klitschko into the deep water. And if the ring doctor hadn't stopped it, he would have drowned."

That view is seconded by Lewis's longtime adversary, Evander Holyfield, who says, "It doesn't matter who was winning the fight. What matters is who won. Lennox busted him up. They had to stop it. Lennox won the fight."

That, of course, leads to the question of retirement. A year ago, after beating Mike Tyson, Lennox acknowledged, "There's always someone to fight. That's the drug of the sport." Then he added, "What else is there for me to prove? That I'm stuck in the sport and won't get out until I'm speaking so people don't understand me?"

Now Lewis is even closer to calling it a day. He's talking about that time in the future "when I see myself taking my children out, doing whatever my kids want me to do with them."

Then Lennox raises his right hand to eye level, holding his index finger and thumb three inches apart, and declares, "I couldn't retire without fighting Tyson. After Tyson, I was this close to retiring, but I decided to give it one more year. Now . . ."

The heavyweight champion adjusts his index finger and thumb so there's only a hair's width between them.

"Now I'm this close."

He explained. "I set a goal for myself to become undisputed heavyweight champion, have a couple of defences and retire. Once you become undisputed champion, there is no higher. What you would be doing is basically boxing for money. If I don’t have the hunger, I don’t feel I need to step into the ring. The hunger is what drives me. The media helped me, because they said I couldn’t do it and that I was going to lose. Automatically I train for it and I’m going to prove them wrong. That’s what really drives me. If I don’t have that hunger, there is no use. You can tell in my boxing. I will be boxing, but if you hit me, that wakes me up. Who likes to be hit? So, that wakes me up. That’s what makes me box and perform at my highest".

"For me, I used to get up at 5am and go running. As I got older, I reached 9 in the morning, 10 in the morning.
I realised that my main focus was Tyson. But after Tyson, I had no focus any more. Klitschko never called me names or said anything bad about me. There was no hunger to fight him, so you are just going after the money and not dealing with the hunger and the glory aspect."

[mykolakozak]

I´m a fan of both just so you know that.

For his own sake I think Lennox should not have given him a rematch, since Lewis was getting old and slipping, it had been very close the first time round and Vitali was just getting better. It would have been a poor personal decision on Lewis´ part.

As for boxing goes and the good of the fans then YES he should. It would have been a huge money fight and finally an exciting fight to determine the #1 in the division. Vitali had also shown himself to belong in the ring with Lewis and that he would quite possibly be able to win.

So generally it was pretty lame how Lewis let Vitali wait and then just got out of there.

Thats the point exactly. Lennox knows very well this could/ve been a fight that would annihilate him, and then he would leave in even worst position

[barneyrub]

Vitali stating that he thinks Lewis is the biggest name in boxing history

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[thesandman]

I feel that some of the people in this thread saying Lewis should honour a mumbled "yeah OK" to a raving nutter in the ring are the same people who believe Bowe did NOTHING wrong in pulling out of a signed contracted deal to fight Lewis for the WBC belt.

Now that's hypocrisy for you!

[PIRA]

Thats the point exactly. Lennox knows very well this could/ve been a fight that would annihilate him, and then he would leave in even worst position

You are an idiot!

Lewis would not give a fuck what a biased hater such as yourself or Boxinghussy thinks nor does any boxing fan with any credibility. VK failed at boxing, failed at being a politician and you making constant excuses and assumptions for him means he and his fans fail at being honourable - to use your new call.

Must suck when all the facts show your man got a whipping and you are such a bad sport that years on you are still whining like a bitch!


LEWIS TKO6
Klitschko. VK does not even belong on the same line as LL let alone the same ring - as his non-career proved.

[Thread Stealer]

It would've been nice, but what's done is done.

Lewis won fairly and retired at the right time, before he ended up sucking like most HOFers do at the end of their careers.

Plenty of fighters who deserved rematches, after REAL controversies, never got them.

[KobeIsGod]

I look back at that fight and I think it is a microcosm of Vitali's career. Coulda, woulda, shoulda....the potential was there to be great but it just didn't materialize. Not his fault really, just bad luck. All great fighters need a little extra help along the way.

[ripcity]

You could make the arugument that if Lewis were to have fought again than he should have given Vitali a rematch, but he retired after that fight. You can't make someone comeout of retirement just because his last fight might have been close.

[Max Molyneux]

Why wasn't Vitali bothered about a Byrd rematch?

Vitali should be greatful the ring doctor stopped the fight or he would of been stopped or blinded In one eye.

[Cachibatches]

After a fine career as a great champion, Lennox retired to be a great father.

God bless him.

[mykolakozak]

You are an idiot!

Lewis would not give a fuck what a biased hater such as yourself or Boxinghussy thinks nor does any boxing fan with any credibility. VK failed at boxing, failed at being a politician and you making constant excuses and assumptions for him means he and his fans fail at being honourable - to use your new call.

Must suck when all the facts show your man got a whipping and you are such a bad sport that years on you are still whining like a bitch!


LEWIS TKO6
Klitschko. VK does not even belong on the same line as LL let alone the same ring - as his non-career proved.
You never met, neither I you. There are thousands on this thread, choose any of them to call them an idiot. This is a sport we are talking about, there is no reason to feel powerful typing from from your warm seat. If this was more upclose I would call you out for those words. This is an online boxing forum, not a ring.

Now,
1. Klitschko did not get a beating. Listen to the interview after the fight. Merchant pretty much comes out and asks Lennox "what the fuck was wrong with you there" and when asked how come it seemed like you couldn't take a punch, Lennox answer cause I never had to. Also read ESPN breakdown of the fight, not ONCE, is there mention of Vitali getting hurt more than wittling once in round 3:

- "Another good right by Vitali, and Lennox comes up the middle with a massive uppercut and Vitali takes it well."
- "Nice three punch combo from Vitali, and a huge right cross from Lennox, and amazingly Vitali barely blinks in taking it."
-"Impressive guts from Vitali. He clearly has a strong chin." (Round 6)

When Vitali hit:
- "Gorgeous right cross lead by Vitali, and Lewis is hurt."
- "Lewis is pacing himself and taking a minute or two off. Clearly, he's having to pick his spots and his conditioning is not what it should be. "

Now 2,
In Ukrainine's curruption, everyone failed.

[mykolakozak]

You could make the arugument that if Lewis were to have fought again than he should have given Vitali a rematch, but he retired after that fight. You can't make someone comeout of retirement just because his last fight might have been close.

No, no mentioning of Lennox coming back. It would never be the same. I meant a rematch 6 months after their first fight

[mykolakozak]

Why wasn't Vitali bothered about a Byrd rematch?

Vitali should be greatful the ring doctor stopped the fight or he would of been stopped or blinded In one eye.

Wlad took care of Byrd for Vitali. And I think it was clear to all that Vitali would've won if it wasnt for the hand, on which he instately got a surgery. Lennox was a bit more controversial, and plus Lennox was the #1 man in the industry, thus Vitali wanted to prove that more over than Byrd. You beat Lennox you beat 'em all.

And yes the fight being stopped was a fine thing, but expecting a rematch, is what was expected.

[barneyrub]

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Lewis and vitali in 2007 being friendly in a ring, why all the hate by klitschko fans when vitali is friends with the guy? There is a massive difference between business and the validity of public posturing between 2 active fighting rivals but the reality is as above and all the interviews and statements of 2003 were merely public posturing to try and get a big money fight, there was no promise and no obligation.

Its funny, the same people that think Lewis should have kept on fighting and give him no credit at 37 years and 9 months old for beating a 31 year old prime vitali, they are the same people who have a go at Lewis for fighting Holyfield and Tyson when they were older and urge Holyfield to retire!

[T.S.]

Yes he should have given the rematch that he promised he would.
He didn't because he did not feel confident. Why else pass up your last chance at a multi million dollar fight?

[Claypole]

Yes he should have given the rematch that he promised he would.
He didn't because he did not feel confident. Why else pass up your last chance at a multi million dollar fight?I don't think people will have ever let Lewis retire graciously, even if he went on untill he was 50 years old. It doesn't matter who he beat or how long he went on for, certain people will never accept the fact he retired at the top.
Lennox Lewis is not responsible for Vitali's failures. If Vitali never made it at the very top, people should look elsewhere for answers.

[marting]

Ater that fight if I was Lewis's manager I never would have let him anywhere near Klitschko again. That fight looked the beginning of the end of his reign of dominance. Retirement was definitely the wise choice.

I know a lot of fans found the stoppage a major disappointment and an unsatisfying end to a highly competitive fight but that was too brutal of a fight to make me believe Lewis was headed anywhere but serious trouble in the future. Better that he retire with his all his faculties intact. He took a lot of punishment in that fight. It looked like one of those fights that could be career altering. I think both of them left a little bit of themselves in the ring that night.

[Claypole]

He knows who his daddy is.Hasn't that always been considered a good thing?

[Dempsey1238]

It was Lewis's choice to retire, he did the right thing. The problem though he sat on the title for half a year before he retire. VK should have goting his return bout in that time frame imo.

[barneyrub]

It was Lewis's choice to retire, he did the right thing. The problem though he sat on the title for half a year before he retire. VK should have goting his return bout in that time frame imo.And Vitali has held the WBC title hostage all this year when Maskaev and Peter could have been fighting their fight, but oh no, Vitali insisted he get the Maskaev fight before Peter did, then after months of talks he decides he wont be ready to fight Maskaev and backs out of talks allowing them to have the fight they were going to have months and months ago!

[mykolakozak]

And Vitali has held the WBC title hostage all this year when Maskaev and Peter could have been fighting their fight, but oh no, Vitali insisted he get the Maskaev fight before Peter did, then after months of talks he decides he wont be ready to fight Maskaev and backs out of talks allowing them to have the fight they were going to have months and months ago!

Dont blame Vitali, but WBC....they make promises they cant keep. Vitali was abiding by their rule. And dont blame some one for something that is not in their control, like an injury

[ThePlugInBabies]

Yes, he should've. Instead he ran. Now Vitali fucked him up so bad he keeps calling other fighters Vitali. He knows who his daddy is.

LEWIS TKO6 QUITALI :yep :deal

must pain you when you see that big fat L next to vitalis name.

[Mendoza]

Should've Lennox gave Vitali a rematch?


YES

[jisi]

No.

Lewis won by TKO. And the winner of a fight can give a rematch or not. And Lewis retired, he did not box another boxer, so i say he did the right thing from his own point of view and this is the right of the winner.

[Fighting Weight]

Subsequent events have proved that it's VITLAY that is the pussy weakling, not Lewis. I bet Lewis actually regrets not rematching the guy in hindsight, chances are VITLAY would have pulled out with some bullshit injury once his bluff was called anyway :yep

[papaspank]

Lewis is too fat and out of shape to give anybody a fight let alone a rematch to a cripple.

[Fighting Weight]

Lewis is too fat and out of shape to give anybody a fight let alone a rematch to a cripple.

He beat the shit out of the guy once when he was fat and out of shape, I wouldn't be too surprised if he did it again. You'd have to drag VITLAY out of the hospital for the fight though.

Might be easier to cut out the middle man and leave the big bum in there in the first place :deal

[mykolakozak]

Subsequent events have proved that it's VITLAY that is the pussy weakling, not Lewis. I bet Lewis actually regrets not rematching the guy in hindsight, chances are VITLAY would have pulled out with some bullshit injury once his bluff was called anyway :yep

The thread is about a rematch right after the first fight. Dont forget that Vitali became a monster Destroyer in his following three fights after LL. It seems to me he lost heart in fighting after he realized Lennox is not coming back. SO klitschko said forget this, tehre are no one I am interested in. So he went out

[thesandman]

The thread is about a rematch right after the first fight. Dont forget that Vitali became a monster Destroyer in his following three fights after LL. It seems to me he lost heart in fighting after he realized Lennox is not coming back. SO klitschko said forget this, tehre are no one I am interested in. So he went out

Why sign for FIVE fights then? Why not just stay retired?

Monster Destroyer?? Against

Sanders
Williams
Johnson?

All of which would have looked worried if a whaling ship was spotted near by??

[Motor City Sam]

Why sign for FIVE fights then? Why not just stay retired?

Monster Destroyer?? Against

Sanders
Williams
Johnson?

All of which would have looked worried if a whaling ship was spotted near by??

THAT was funny. :lol: