lennox lewis is the best heavyweight ever!

[Relentless]

i'm not even a big fan of lewis, i am a tyson fan but who can argue with a resume like this:

mike tyson
evander holyfield
vitali klitschko
frank bruno
oliver mccall
hasim rahman
david tua
michael grant
francois botha
shannon briggs
andrew golota
tommy morrison
ray mercer
razor ruddock
tony tucker
henry akiwande

show me a fighter with a better resume than this

he has faced and beaten everyone who is anyone in his division at his time.

[Nawfal]

yeah its crazy

people say he fought in a weak era but he beat some very good fighters

[ajohnfp]

show me a fighter with a bette resume than this

This guy:

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[Nawfal]

i was going to say he had a great resume

but his level of opposition is nothing compared to ali

[Smokin'Joe100]

This guy:

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

So thats where hulk hogan got his famous point from!

[pipe wrenched]

I really liked Lennox and he belongs at or near the top of any Heavyweight list.

[Rollo]

i'm not even a big fan of lewis, i am a tyson fan but who can argue with a resume like this:

mike tyson
evander holyfield
vitali klitschko
frank bruno
oliver mccall
hasim rahman
david tua
michael grant
francois botha
shannon briggs
andrew golota
tommy morrison
ray mercer
razor ruddock
tony tucker
henry akiwande

show me a fighter with a better resume than this

he has faced and beaten everyone who is anyone in his division at his time.



It´s a pitty that he can´t add Moore, Liston, Patterson, Cooper, Williams, Chuvalo, Quarry, Bonavena, Frazier, Norton and Foreman to that list!

[Jennifer Love Hewitt]

Lennox Lewis is indeed the best heavyweight ever. Beat every man he's ever faced and fought in an era of big powerful fighters.

[MoneyPunch]

Lennox was a tremendous fighter, but not the G.O.A.T, no way!
Ali would have made him look clumsy, Louis would have knocked him out, as would Tyson at his peak, and Liston too.

People look at Liston v Ali, and forget how good he was before that, with an excellent jab, and if Bruno, Mercer etc can establish their jabs v Lewis, Liston does, then knocks Lewis out.

Joe Louis was such a brilliant puncher, I think he KO's Lennox, and Peak Tyson is too fast and agressive IMO.

[cuchulain]

i'm not even a big fan of lewis, i am a tyson fan but who can argue with a resume like this:

mike tyson
evander holyfield
vitali klitschko
frank bruno
oliver mccall
hasim rahman
david tua
michael grant
francois botha
shannon briggs
andrew golota
tommy morrison
ray mercer
razor ruddock
tony tucker
henry akiwande

show me a fighter with a better resume than this

he has faced and beaten everyone who is anyone in his division at his time.

Good to see you appreciating the greatest heavyweight of the past third of a century!

You do overstate the case slightly.

Ali and Louis were both better (i.e. They would beat him MOST of the time)

MAYBE Foreman too (1973 version).

But no-one else.

As your post points out, his resume is outstanding, he beat every man he ever faced. I concede that he has two blemishes on his great career but he AVENGED both losses in spades. He moved very well for such a big man and he had one punch KO power.

His legacy is diminished by many jingoistic American fans (He wasn't American.)

He is the greatest ever non-American heavyweight and third (or maybe fourth) on my alltime heavyweight list.

[fernando4cv3]

Good to see you appreciating the greatest heavyweight of the past third of a century!

You do overstate the case slightly.

Ali and Louis were both better (i.e. They would beat him MOST of the time)

MAYBE Foreman too (1973 version).

But no-one else.

As your post points out, his resume is outstanding, he beat every man he ever faced. I concede that he has two blemishes on his great career but he AVENGED both losses in spades. He moved very well for such a big man and he had one punch KO power.

His legacy is diminished by many jingoistic American fans (He wasn't American.)

He is the greatest ever non-American heavyweight and third (or maybe fourth) on my alltime heavyweight list.

A prime tyson is better then lewis. He would ko Lewis after a few rounds. In terms of accomplishments, tyson unified a sprawled out division with many pretenders, good fighter but not great. he quickly set things straight but also kept the fans happy because he fights were some of the most exciting fights ever even if they were against nobodys. People say tyson never beat anyone great. he beat an aged but still game larry holmes easily. He beat spinks no problem. Spinks wouldve cleaned up 2days division imo also. The tyson that fought holyfield and lewis wasnt the same tyson who destroyed spinks, it wasnt even the same guy who lost to douglas. Its only specualtion but i think tyson wouldve beat both holyfield and lewis in his prime. IMO Tyson is better than Lewis but none the less Lewis is in my top ten heavyweights

[BoxingGuru]

Lennox is top 15 at best. He wouldn't beat Liston, Foreman, Frazier, or Ali and about 10 other prime 60's/70's fighters. I'd give Jerry Quarry a shot at beating him too.

Ray Mercer should have beat him as well, I thought Ray did plenty enough in that fight to get the win.

[AJAX]

Top 15 at best? wow how can you place a guy that far back with one of the best resumes and defeated every man in front of him. And then say All those guys would have beat him? better get off the crack pipe. I assume your biased because he's not american.

[kingpwc]

.....not even close..he is a good heavyweight.....borderin on great...heavyweight....

the fact he waited ........13...to..15..years..to fight tyson....

2003 tyson isnt 1988-90..tyson..he knows it...you know it...i know it...

same could be said about ...if he woulda fought holyfield in the early 90's instead of later....

none the less lewis is...good...maybe ,,even great..but the best..noway...

early tyson..... best heavy in his prime....

ali...... best overall...heavy....

jack johnson.....with what he had to go thru to even get a title shot.....

shows more perseverance...than most all the heavy's combined.....

just an opinion....

[rekcutnevets]

...is annoying...I'm sorry....it just is...don't know why....thought I was reading...Morse..Code...sorry...had to say...so

I currently rate Lewis 7th all time. I think that Foreman barely edges him, but that has a lot to do with the length of his career. Marciano gets him with his perfect record, and I think Lewis beats him head to head. Holmes I think beats him head to head; 2nd all time heavyweight with defenses, 2nd all time years reigning as heavyweight champ, 8 people to at some point hold world titles defeated, and his 48-0 record before losing is good. Johnson had to really prove he was the best of both worlds in the racist era he fought in. Louis' record of consecutive title defenses keeps him ahead. Ali proved he was the greatest with his style, ability, and list of opponents.

[fightking12]

i'm not even a big fan of lewis, i am a tyson fan but who can argue with a resume like this:

mike tyson
evander holyfield
vitali klitschko
frank bruno
oliver mccall
hasim rahman
david tua
michael grant
francois botha
shannon briggs
andrew golota
tommy morrison
ray mercer
razor ruddock
tony tucker
henry akiwande

show me a fighter with a better resume than this

he has faced and beaten everyone who is anyone in his division at his time.

not bad

[justaboxingfan]

I have Lewis in my top 3 all-time HW. The only man who would beat Lewis would be a PRIME Mike Tyson. Not the one he faced but the freak of nature he once was. He'd put pressure on him from round one, bob and weave through LL jab and eventually land one of his bombs on lewis for a KO victory.

[halfamazin1]

I agree, all-time great, especially at HW...I'd give hima 50/50 chance at beating a prime Tyson during his prime...he beat everyone he's everfaced.

[cuchulain]

...

the fact he waited ........13...to..15..years..to fight tyson....

....


Explain how you have him waiting 13 -15 years to fight Tyson.


And Where would Tyson's prime be?

He was at prime for Douglas , a fighter who was not intimdated by him, just as Lennox would not have been.

Prime Lennox versus Prime Tyson.

Lennox by UD or late stoppage.

[rodney]

No.

Not even close.

[brooklyn1550]

He's top 10 in my book

[teetop]

i was going to say he had a great resume

but his level of opposition is nothing compared to ali

Bullshit. Ali was the greatest because he said he was a million times.
P4p ali might've been better than LL. But if 67' cassius clay fought
2005 LL. Ali would've been lucky to make the final bell. Lewis was too
technically and mentally sound to let ali take him out of his game, coupled with LL size and skillset. There's no way muhammed would've beat lennox. I agree with the poster. Lennox lewis was the greatest
heavyweight of all time.

[cuchulain]

Bullshit. Ali was the greatest because he said he was a million times.
P4p ali might've been better than LL. But if 67' cassius clay fought
2005 LL. Ali would've been lucky to make the final bell. Lewis was too
technically and mentally sound to let ali take him out of his game, coupled with LL size and skillset. There's no way muhammed would've beat lennox. I agree with the poster. Lennox lewis was the greatest
heavyweight of all time.

Ali wouldn't try to take Lennox out of his game. Even if Lennox was very game, IN his game, and at the TOP of his game, he did not have the tools to deal with Ali's speed and skill.

Liston and Foreman were scarier characters than Lewis and Ali was unfazed.

This one ends in a UD for Ali.

[teetop]

Ali wouldn't try to take Lennox out of his game. Even if Lennox was very game, IN his game, and at the TOP of his game, he did not have the tools to deal with Ali's speed and skill.

Liston and Foreman were scarier characters than Lewis and Ali was unfazed.

This one ends in a UD for Ali.

Liston was scary if you're 6'2" and 215. But LL is 6'5" 245 and very
cerebral. Foreman. LL would've beaten him with the jab. LL had ALL
the tools to deal with Ali. Seriously my friend. No disrespect to the greatest known boxer off all time. However, just being objective I'm
sure lennox bests Ali. He's just too big for ali with the perfect style
to beat ali.

[cuchulain]

Liston was scary if you're 6'2" and 215. But LL is 6'5" 245 and very
cerebral. Foreman. LL would've beaten him with the jab. LL had ALL
the tools to deal with Ali. Seriously my friend. No disrespect to the greatest known boxer off all time. However, just being objective I'm
sure lennox bests Ali. He's just too big for ali with the perfect style
to beat ali.

If you back up this thread a bit, you can see that I hold Lennox in high regard (third or fourth alltime depending on where you put Foreman).

But I don't think he can deal with Ali's speed. I don't think he can hit him cleanly enough, enough times .

Watch Ali's fights from 1964-67. At that point he was practically unhittable and lost almost no rounds.

We can agree, I think, to differ on this one.

[.trunzx]

Lewis was an oppotunist who avoided every fighter who was at the top of his game
:thumbsup


best hw ever...?! :patsch:rofl:rofl:rofl
He doesnt even make my top 10.

[Holmes' Jab]

I have Lewis in my top 3 all-time HW. The only man who would beat Lewis would be a PRIME Mike Tyson. Not the one he faced but the freak of nature he once was. He'd put pressure on him from round one, bob and weave through LL jab and eventually land one of his bombs on lewis for a KO victory.

What about Ali, Holmes or Liston. They'd all have a good chance, one or two more as well- perhaps?

[Holmes' Jab]

Lewis was an oppotunist who avoided every fighter who was at the top of his game

:rofl

Utter nonsense. Lewis called Tyson out as early as '96 but for whatever reason (nothing to do with Lewis camp) the bout was never sanctioned. Tyson instead took on the supposed easier option- Holyfield. We all know what happened there. You can say whatever you wish about Lewis but he sure didn't duck fighters.

The words "Riddick Bowe", "belt" and "trashcan" also come to mind here

[PATSYS]

yeah its crazy

people say he fought in a weak era but he beat some very good fighters

People who say Lewis fought a weak era are delusional.

Lewis' resume is only behind Ali's.

I have Lewis at #3 greatest HW all time.

[Cachibatches]

It´s a pitty that he can´t add Moore, Liston, Patterson, Cooper, Williams, Chuvalo, Quarry, Bonavena, Frazier, Norton and Foreman to that list!
And Shaver, Lyle, and Zora Foley.

[achillesthegreat]

Lewis on his day could beat any heavyweight in the history of the sport.

[quintonjacksonfan]

Lewis could beat any heavyweight on a given night except Ali and Louis

He also is the only top 10 heavyweight who could lose to a fighter

not in the top 50 on any given night

[Bill1234]

i'm not even a big fan of lewis, i am a tyson fan but who can argue with a resume like this:

mike tyson
evander holyfield
vitali klitschko
frank bruno
oliver mccall
hasim rahman
david tua
michael grant
francois botha
shannon briggs
andrew golota
tommy morrison
ray mercer
razor ruddock
tony tucker
henry akiwande

show me a fighter with a better resume than this

he has faced and beaten everyone who is anyone in his division at his time.

Other fighters have beaten guys in that list in a more convincing fashion though. Like Douglas and Tyson, or Bowe and Holyfield. Hell, a 42 year old Holmes beat the shit out of Mercer for 12 rounds, while Lewis struggled with him for 12. You could actually make an argument that Mercer beat him. Bruno gave him hell. Ruddock was a good fighter, but he was still very beatable. Ive never even heard of Akiwande so that shows something about him. Rahman wasn't that good. Morrison was a good fighter, but again, he was very beatable. McCall had a granite chin, but he wasn't exactly great. You named a bunch of good fighters, and the 2 that were great were way past it.

[Bill1234]

Lewis could beat any heavyweight on a given night except Ali and Louis

He also is the only top 10 heavyweight who could lose to a fighter

not in the top 50 on any given night


Not Holmes. Not a prime Tyson. Not Foreman. Not Marciano. Not Liston.

[Bill1234]

Lewis on his day could beat any heavyweight in the history of the sport.

I guess thats why Mercer almost beat him right? And thats why Bruno gave him hell. And why McCall and Rahman beat him right?

[halfamazin1]

Not Holmes. Not a prime Tyson. Not Foreman. Not Marciano. Not Liston.

Foreman stated he could never have beaten Lewis, He would give Liston a boxing lesson, and I damn sure give him at least a 50/50 chance against Tyson and Marciano...fuck that, I say he beats Marciano 3 out of 4 times.

[papaspank]

Lewis would be lucky to make the top 10, let alone number 1. What the hell are you smoking? Or you could just be a "Dee Dee Dee"

1.He KO's a shot to hell Tyson (wow what accomplishment)
2.Beat Holyfield in their 1st fight (draw), got a make good decision in the 2nd fight in which Holyfield in the publics eye won.
3.Was given the decision against Mercer (which most spectators thought he lost)
4. Got knocked TFO by a drug addict McCall
5. Got knocked TFO by a Hasim (the no chin) Rahman

Has never once displayed great heart, like all great champions do.

He could never really capture the fans hearts and minds, that's why most fans don't rate him very highly.

Also, if you want to check out resumes. Holyfields makes Lewis' look like a joke!

[barneyrub]

According to George Foreman Lennox is the greatest Heavyweight of all time,

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[halfamazin1]

Lewis would be lucky to make the top 10, let alone number 1. What the hell are you smoking? Or you could just be a "Dee Dee Dee"

1.He KO's a shot to hell Tyson (wow what accomplishment)
2.Beat Holyfield in their 1st fight (draw), got a make good decision in the 2nd fight in which Holyfield in the publics eye won.
3.Was given the decision against Mercer (which most spectators thought he lost)
4. Got knocked TFO by a drug addict McCall
5. Got knocked TFO by a Hasim (the no chin) Rahman

Has never once displayed great heart, like all great champions do.

He could never really capture the fans hearts and minds, that's why most fans don't rate him very highly.

Man...you can name any boxer in the history of the sport and I guarantee you they have a disputed win...and everyone with the exception of finito lopez and marciano have never lost...but to just give 5 reasons and 2 of them being fights he won, the other two being the ONLY fights he lost (which he avenged by perhaps the most vicioius heavyweight knockout ever in Rahman's case) and your last reason being a draw WHICH MOST PEOPLE THOUGHT HE WON...What do you mean no heart or no fans...the HW division died since he left that's why most fans wish he would unretire to pump some life back into that joke of a division...when he fought he was the recognized champ period...everyone knew it, no one argued it. Who's the champ now?

[djrock247]

I'm a HUGE Lennox Lewis fan (even named my dog Lennox) but I just can't give him the nod over The Greatest. You could certainly make an argument for Lennox anywhere in the top 5, even as high as #2 but you can't put him at #1. Head to head, I'll go with a prime, motivated Lennox Lewis over virtually anyone. The only 3 fighters I give a chance to are Holmes, Liston & Ali, in that order.

[cuchulain]

Not Holmes. Not a prime Tyson. Not Foreman. Not Marciano. Not Liston.


Read the man's entire post, carefully.

And remember, anyone on the top 20 Alltime list COULD beat anone else on that list ON A GIVEN DAY.

Folks rank the order based on who they think would win MOST OF THE TIME.

My list has Lennox third or fourth, but on a given day he COULD beat Ali and Louis (My #1 and #2).

Re your list above, I would say Prime Lennox beats all of them but Foreman, MOST of the time.

[cuchulain]

Foreman stated he could never have beaten Lewis, He would give Liston a boxing lesson, and I damn sure give him at least a 50/50 chance against Tyson and Marciano...fuck that, I say he beats Marciano 3 out of 4 times.

Big George was just being modest.

I have Ali and Louis at the top of my list in that order.

Then comes Lewis and Foreman in no particular order.
Then Holmes and Marciano, again in no particular order.
Then Liston, Tyson and Frazier in that order.

I think Lennox would beat Foreman about half the time, and beat every other fighter (except Ali and Louis) MOST of the time.

[C.J.Rock]

I really liked Lennox and he belongs at or near the top of any Heavyweight list.

In my opinion Lennox is the best since THE GREATEST!!!!! ALI!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KobeIsGod]

no question he is in the top 10 all-time and i have him usually floating between 5-7.

-great in head-to-head
-one of if not the most physically talented of the atgs
-2 bad ko losses, occasional lack of motivation and focus, and the fact he is Europeon all hurt him in my opinion when it comes to his ranking

[papaspank]

Lennox Loser is a punkass joke. Unretire? Are you shitting me? Have you seen him lately? He's fat and old looking, and I mean he is fat, 40 to 50 pounds heavier than when he fought. Man, I don't know what world your living in but who the hell is crying for Lewis to comeback??? He got out at the right time, he was done and Klit was showing him the door. I'll give Lewis credit for being smart, he knows he's done.

[josak]

Explain how you have him waiting 13 -15 years to fight Tyson.


And Where would Tyson's prime be?

He was at prime for Douglas , a fighter who was not intimdated by him, just as Lennox would not have been.

Prime Lennox versus Prime Tyson.

Lennox by UD or late stoppage.
Tyson's prime ended after the Spinks fight, basically. That's when he left his old management team. Just look at the Bruno fight for evidence. And I'm not taking anything away from Douglas, btw. Even a prime Mike with Rooney/Cus probably wouldn't of had an easy time in that fight.

And Prime Mike beats Lewis 9/10, IMO. Lennox would not be able to handle him. Too much speed, too much aggression, power and skill. Lewis could barely handle the old, over-the-hills Mike in the first round of their fight. Mike just gassed out, and got beat on for eight rounds. Prime Mike > Lewis, I'd bet my whole bank account on it.

[Jazzo]

Tyson --- 12yrs past his best and shell of former ATG
Holyfield ---way over the hill with sleared speach and no reflexs
Bruno ----gave Lewis a boxing lesson yet surcumbed to lucky punch
McCall ---- 4 days out of drug rehab "joke fight"
Rahman--- proberbly worst champion in history yet K.Od Lewis
Tua----weighed 260lbs and could hardly walk
Morrison---- HIV
Akinwande---both guilty of holding in zzzzzzfest -pathetic
Golota----had panic attack in dressing room 5 mins b4 1st bell
Tucker---combacking junkie
Ruddock---damaged goods after being brutalized twice by Tyson
Vitali Klitschko----Lewis lucky by headbutt stoppage
Mercer----most felt merciless was "robbed"

Lewis seems to be the luckiest being (in terms of chance) ever to have existed, judging by this post.

[Vantage_West]

Lennox is top 15 at best. He wouldn't beat Liston, Foreman, Frazier, or Ali and about 10 other prime 60's/70's fighters. I'd give Jerry Quarry a shot at beating him too.

Ray Mercer should have beat him as well, I thought Ray did plenty enough in that fight to get the win.
he would beat liston easily i cant believe you think that sonny has somthing on him liston did have the jab and power but that doesnt get you the win liston is to squat to win. lennox ud by jabbing tiying up and throw the right hand when liston moves in but liston was a dangerous man and as a jab comes to jab the smaller man wins and liston had the power and ferocity to win. 5/5 chance for lennox

foreman george-lennox would be a great fight but foremans defence but relied on jabbing his way in with his big long power jab and midrange punches using hooks uppercuts crosses jabs all the punches could land bascily...but his defence well he didnt have one. lewis was hard to hit and a great inside technician and outside puncher.
but foreman didnt fall down alot and always kept coming had an almighty jaw and the hardest punching heavyiweght champion of all time...but yet again lewis hits about just as hard with the right hand and the stamina and ring smarts to beat him 6/4 for lennox (only becuase the power of lewis vs the chin of foreman would maybe be a stun or a rocking motion. but if george landed a right hand it could and might be all over)

frazier...frazier was beaten by guys who pushed him back had a size and reach advantage who would jab him make him dodge and get tagged by a big right hand. no way does frazier win this. think about what beat frazier and lewis is almost the exact tailormade man for him.
9/1 for lennox (im totally sure about this but frazier would still have the left hook and reflexes)

ali- would do all types of stuff to lewis ,lewis was quick and athletic but muhhamad was way to quick light and snappy a close but ali wins on the faster rapidity of shots and elusivness.8/2 ali

jerry quarry-:think now you say 'jerry quarry' like it's an insult that lennox could be beaten by him...but quarry was a bad bad man when it came to the hitters . when fighting punchers he was a giant killer only 189 pounds and 6'1 tall he could blast men away with his counterpunching skills iron jaw and power. he was quick elusiv and would box and slug in equal measure. vs frazier he brawled as he couldnt get frazier to back up. and did win loads of rounds, vs ali he tried to box becuase thats what he does to the taller fighters that they come to him to hit hard while he moves slips and comeback with the right hand or left hook ,sadly ali was a boxer and made quarry come to him and tore him apart.
7/3

ray mercer gave him trouble but by no mean won the fight. when a jab vs the jab the smaller man usually wins becuase he is trying to go foreward with the jab while the other man tries to move away. this happend with duran vs leonard durans left kept parrying away the jab of ray, but lennos used his savy to win though not looking good in the process.

[Darthmage]

.....not even close..he is a good heavyweight.....borderin on great...heavyweight....

the fact he waited ........13...to..15..years..to fight tyson....





now hold on there big buddy... what about that time that Lennox was paid money to step aside so Tyson wouldn't have to face him? I recall that being mid to late nineties? hmmm?

[PATSYS]

Tyson --- 12yrs past his best and shell of former ATG
Holyfield ---way over the hill with sleared speach and no reflexs
Bruno ----gave Lewis a boxing lesson yet surcumbed to lucky punch
McCall ---- 4 days out of drug rehab "joke fight"
Rahman--- proberbly worst champion in history yet K.Od Lewis
Tua----weighed 260lbs and could hardly walk
Morrison---- HIV
Akinwande---both guilty of holding in zzzzzzfest -pathetic
Golota----had panic attack in dressing room 5 mins b4 1st bell
Tucker---combacking junkie
Ruddock---damaged goods after being brutalized twice by Tyson
Vitali Klitschko----Lewis lucky by headbutt stoppage
Mercer----most felt merciless was "robbed"

Tyson - Ranked #1 contender in the HW division. Most people (probably incuding your punk ass) gave him a 5/7 odds of beating Lewis.

Holyfield - WBA and IBF belt holder. He just beat Tyson 2X, and Moorer. The 1996 version was arguably better than the 1992 version. Beaten every man he faced just before he fought Lewis.

Bruno - Got KOed, awesome display of Lewis' power.

Mccall - Never been KOed/TKOed except against Lewis. McCall only started to show this so-called "mental instability" after 2 rounds of desparation, realising he is going to get schooled badly by Lewis in that fight.

Rahman - Many thought (again probably including your punk ass) that Rahman had Lewis' numbers. Lewis showed tremendous heart in showing absolutely no fear to a guy who just KOed him and displaying an awesome one punch KO in a rematch win.

Tua - Weighed only 245 lbs, and was really undefeated at the time he faced Lewis (I had him winning over Ibeabuchi). Tua was KOing everybody (including then future champs Maskaev, Rahman, Ruiz, etc). Lewis showed the blueprint on how to beat Tua, many fighters since then followed that masterpiece blueprint.

Morrison - Lewis KOed him in 6. Lewis displayed awesome skills in that fight.

Akinwande - Undefeated and a great prospect when he fought Lewis. Lewis showed he has no problem fighting a guy taller than him.

Golota - Recognized by many as the best HW at that time, following his good showing against Bowe. Lewis disposed him in less than a round.

Tucker - Had a record of 44-1 when he fought Lewis. He only lost to TYson prior to that.

Ruddock - Ranked by many as the best HW at that time(when TYson went to prison), following his good performance against Tyson.

Klitschko - Lewis took everything Vitali could dish, proving his chin was better than most people think. Vitali will go on to reign the HW after the Lewis fight.

Mercer - Lewis won fairly. Mercer showed at the top of his game that night.

Worth mentioning:

Grant - Undefeated good prospect, many thought he was the next big thing. Lewis pulverized him in 2.

Botha - Good contender, showed up in tremendous shape against Lewis. Lewis disposed him in 2.

Briggs - Lewis disposed him in 5. 10 year later, Briggs will go on and win a HW belt

:happy :happy :happy

[thesandman]

Lewis could barely handle the old, over-the-hills Mike in the first round of their fight. Mike just gassed out, and got beat on for eight rounds. Prime Mike > Lewis, I'd bet my whole bank account on it.
You are aware that Lewis is older then Mike, right? And if you're going to rewind the Tyson age clock, then you can't just bang him in with an old Lewis, and say, see, Mike's better!!!!

That would be just as simplistic as me saying that if a nobody like Bonecrusher can go 12 with Mike, then Lewis would do it in a canter - and actually throw something back.

Or if Douglas can beat Mike, then Lewis, blah blah blah.

Barely handle??? Was Lewis KD? Was his bell rung? Was he stumbling around?

No, he just smothered Tyson, and then cracked him with an uppercut on the way in - just like a guy 6'5 should against a 5'10 guy.

How would it go prime v prime?? Don't know. Either man could take it IMO.

[Zakman]

show me a fighter with a better resume than this
Evander "Real Deal" Holyfield

Faced Bowe, who Lewis didn't - and beat Tyson when it mattered.

OH, and you never saw Holyfield pasted to the canvas by second-raters in the early rounds:

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Best HW Ever??? :lol: Hell, he isn't even the best HW of his own ERA!!!!!

[jyuza]

Lewis is one of the best ever, no doubt about that.

But Ali has the better resume though.

[Relentless]

hey zakman what about the time john ruiz put holyfield on his ass?

[Zakman]

hey zakman what about the time john ruiz put holyfield on his ass?

Yeah, and he got up and finished the fight, didn't he? Just like he ALWAYS did against palookas like that!!:yep

[PATSYS]

Evander "Real Deal" Holyfield

Faced Bowe, who Lewis didn't - and beat Tyson when it mattered.

OH, and you never saw Holyfield pasted to the canvas by second-raters in the early rounds:

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Best HW Ever??? :lol: Hell, he isn't even the best HW of his own ERA!!!!!

Faced Bowe whom Lewis didn't face because Bowe ducked him. :yep

Faced bowe and lost 2X to him (and only managed to win a MD in one of the fight). :yep :yep

Holyfield's resume is great, and I wouldn't have any problem with anybody having him within top 5. But Lewis' resume is clearly better.

Holyfield got himself busy fighting old fighters who got the name like Foreman and Holmes. Holyfield fought the bigger names but it was Lewis who fought the more quality opponents like Golota, Ruddock, etc.

[SportBuddha]

Its really interesting to see some views on this, ive always thought Lennox was a great boxer and his record is good, but...something that always bugs me about putting him too near the top of an all time list is how long it took him to mature. As a younger boxer he was vunerable to losing concentration and mad some sloppy mistakes, he got better with age and in this way he is different to most greats who enjoyed their best years in their younger days, not sure where it places him but for me he's not Top 5