i'm sick of this vitali lewis mess..lewis damn near ended vitali's career

The fight should of been stopped, but it was a VERY lucky glaring punch that caused the massive cut. It was more of the thumb of the glove that scraped Vitali's eyelid. Lennox Lewis couldnt do that again if he tried. Thumbs cause eye injuries, not multiple cuts above and below the eye. Listen, when you punch as hard as Lewis did you're going to cause facial injuries of some description. Here's Tyson getting the treatment from Lennox. Notice something? Perhaps the massive cut above his right eye, or the smaller one above his left. Think those were accidental as well? Perhaps caused by a sneaky thumb, or headbutt, or braid toss? And he's not the only other fighter to receive cuts from Lewis either. Could Lewis have replicated that feat in a rematch had he landed the punches he did in the first fight? You bet he could, especially if he fought Vitali straight afterwards as everyone was calling for him to do. Course, then there'd be some BS about Lennox not allowing time for Vit's cuts to heal, unfair advantage, etc, you know how it goes.

One thing most of us can agree on is that it was full of excitement. I was on the edge of my seat watching that heavyweight duel. Hasn't been a fight that exciting and with as much importance SINCE Lewis and Vitali fought.

Everybody knows Lewis was afraid to rematch Vitali, including Lewis, which is why he is so defensive about the topic. Quivering in fear for a year, dithering about a rematch, saying yes and then no and changing his mind back and forth, tells you all you need to know. Vitali retired Lewis. That's fact. There's also a lot of revisionist history involved when discussing the Vitali-Lewis fight. People always neglect to mention that Vitali had 10 days' notice! For the heavyweight championship of the world! And he took it. Both Klit brothers are always in shape, but 10 days notice for the biggest fight of your life? C'mon. Why do you think Lewis was so hesitant to grant him a rematch? He knew, for one, he got lucky in giving Vitali a cut, and secondly, Lewis KNEW that, given enough preparation Vitali comes into the rematch and most likely wins. Lewis had doubt. This isn't just wild speculation. Remember when the debate was raging on whether those two were going to hook up (a much anticipated) for a rematch - and Lewis wanted "proof that Vitali was up to the challenge and that his eye is completely healed"? Lewis wanted to see how Vitali fared against Kirk Johnson. Well, Vitali blew him away. THEN Lewis comes up with some other sh!t and basically said he had to get past Corrie Sanders before he would grant Vitali the rematch. Vitali passed both tests. This is when Lewis walked away - and FINALLY made a decision. He was hoping, praying, that Vitali would lose to either one. Again, Vitali had a little over a week to prepare for Lewis. Look how good he did. Lewis knew/knows this, those of us who remember the time period and the talks leading up to the first clash knew/know this. There's no escaping this fact. Now in the actual fight: People love to claim that Vitali had his mouth open, was breathing hard, etc. Vitali ALWAYS fights with his mouth open. He always looks tired. But he keeps on throwing punches. He's always had an amazing gas tank. See, people used to use this excuse for determining the likely outcome of the fight had it went on a round or two more. But in hindsight, years later, we KNOW Vitali fights like he's tired. He can dig down. Sh!t, he threw 800 or so punches in his fight against Chris Arreola (missing rounds 11 and 12). He would have threw almost 1000 punches, if not more, had the fight went to a decision. So........... George Foreman even mentioned during the fight, "boy, if it wasn't for that eye.........." meaning Vitali most likely would have been victorious.......meaning Lewis was LUCKY Vitali had that nasty cut. Hell, Lewis is still insecure when it comes to the Klit brothers (yes, both of them). Even when he's commentating a fight on HBO he can't hold back on puffing out his chest against Wladimir (reference the Wlad Klitschko-Rahman fight). Bottom line. Lewis played a calculated, logical move in retiring when he did. He knew that facing a fully prepared Vitali = a sure loss.

it aint bout what couldve happened..what did happen is lewis ripped his face up

It's too hard to speculate what would have happened. Lewis was landing some huge punches while running on fumes. Vitali had more energy while his face was falling apart.

Vitali Klitschko vs Lennox Lewis THE TRUTH Vitali took the fight on just 10 days notice. Vitali was clearly winning the fight 4-2 on all 3 scorecards at the time of the controversial doctor stoppage. Lewis barely survived the 2nd round, he was badly hurt, holding on for dear life, wobbling everywhere and staggering around the ring like a drunk. Lewis was badly hurt several times in the fight and was getting outboxed, outworked, outmuscled and outlanded by Vitali. punches landed Vitali 156 Lewis 102 Lewis was exhausted, worn down and hurt from the accumulation of punches and was ready to get KTFO again, he collapsed onto his stool at the end of the 6th round, Vitali was clearly the fresher of the two, he was a man on a mission and would've KO'd Lewis for sure if the fight had continued. After the fight, Vitali intimidated the shit out of Lewis and made him look like a bitch. All the fans at Staples Center cheered for Vitali and booed Lewis after the fight. Lewis promised Vitali a rematch. Vitali destroyed Kirk Johnson in 2 rounds and called out Lewis again in the post fight interview. The scared Lewis retired shortly after that fight. Lewis turned down 30 million dollars for a rematch and retired like a coward because he knew he would get destroyed by Vitali. Vitali dominated Lewis and scared his bitch ass into retirement. http://i34.tinypic.com/izb4on.gif George Foreman: "Vitali was winning the fight. Lewis got lucky. There has to be a rematch!" Jim Lampley: "A lucky escape for Lewis who was clearly losing the fight" Even Emanuel Steward was upset and pissed off at Lewis for blatantly ducking a Vitali rematch. Lewis is scared to death of Vitali. Hmmmmm, really? Let me check the history books real quick. (walks away from computer) (brushes dust off old book. opens it.) http://battellemedia.com/archives/old%20book%206.gif Oh, I see now. Lewis TKO6 Klitschko.

That's a sad way of trying to rob credit for the great sporting achievement Vitali accomplished. Peter was the WBC champion and many, many people picked him to beat Vitali, who hadn't fought in 3+ years. Sure, Peter is ruined now, but it was the Klitschkos who ruined him. Just like they ruined Lennox Lewis and made him retire with boos still ringing in his ears. Lewis was even booed when he went back to Staples Center for the Vitali-Sanders fight. Wait, who the hell were these people? This was after Peter got a gift over Toney and was almost demolished by McCline right before fighting Vitali, unless Im mistaken.

The fight should of been stopped, but it was a VERY lucky glaring punch that caused the massive cut. It was more of the thumb of the glove that scraped Vitali's eyelid. Lennox Lewis couldnt do that again if he tried. Vitali's face did look bad, but i remember Lewis during the post fight press conference and his face was puffed up. he looked like a chipmunk. Lewis took a ton of punishment, and honestly after that 6th round, he looked like he was going to die when he went to the stool. He had two rounds max left in him. He looked like Ali after the 14th against Frazier . There should of been a rematch, and no matter what, Vitali will always give Lewis problems, and vice versa.

People simply like talking about the last great heavyweight championship fight. Shame it took place so long ago.

Notice since Haye lost suddenly there's all these threads about Lewis vs the Klitschkos???? Coincidence? I think not. Actually these threads come up every few weeks and have done since I've been here. I didn't know a legitimate TKO loss could stir up so much debate :dunno:

In Boxing, sometimes you get punched in the face, get cut, and lose on cuts. This counts as a loss. This is what happened to Vitali Klitschko when he fought Lennox Lewis.

Still waiting for an explanation of why Vitali tried to kick Lewis...:sleeping: So far we a guy calling me an idiot for mentioning it (welcome to my ignore list), we have it was a twitch, and we have Vitali used to be a kickboxer...

that was 1 of the worst cuts ive ever seen..actually there were 2 one on the eye lid and one under the eyes..plus his lip was fukked up..lewis damn near killed that guy

Lennox Lewis, a bunch of disillusioned David Haye fans / Klitschko brothers haters turn their lonely eyes to you! David Haye? Now I'm a fan of his? :lol1: Oh and BTW...Vitali lost by TKO to Lennox.

Vitali is fortunate that he can still see. He was spared.

http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu179/bigamzz09/vitalilewis.jpg

Lennox Lewis was the most feared fighter in a pretty decent Heavyweight division. Guys like Bowe and Tyson wanted no part of Lewis in their primes. Lewis did get ktfo twice but he avenged both losses. He ktfo of Rahman and made McCall have a panic attack with his punches. Did Vitali avenge his loss to Byrd after he b*tched out on his stool? No he got little bro to do it instead. what??? Lewis didn't want to fight Tyson at their primes. Lewis remember that KO from Mike, back when they sparred in same gym. :sleeping:

Yep, that is the truth. Lewis was in his prime when the Vitali fight started, and "old and ready to retire" by the time it ended. Notice since Haye lost suddenly there's all these threads about Lewis vs the Klitschkos???? Coincidence? I think not. Vitali lost by TKO.

Vitali Klitschko vs Lennox Lewis THE TRUTH Vitali took the fight on just 10 days notice. Vitali was clearly winning the fight 4-2 on all 3 scorecards at the time of the controversial doctor stoppage. Lewis barely survived the 2nd round, he was badly hurt, holding on for dear life, wobbling everywhere and staggering around the ring like a drunk. Lewis was badly hurt several times in the fight and was getting outboxed, outworked, outmuscled and outlanded by Vitali. punches landed Vitali 156 Lewis 102 Lewis was exhausted, worn down and hurt from the accumulation of punches and was ready to get KTFO again, he collapsed onto his stool at the end of the 6th round, Vitali was clearly the fresher of the two, he was a man on a mission and would've KO'd Lewis for sure if the fight had continued. After the fight, Vitali intimidated the shit out of Lewis and made him look like a bitch. All the fans at Staples Center cheered for Vitali and booed Lewis after the fight. Lewis promised Vitali a rematch. Vitali destroyed Kirk Johnson in 2 rounds and called out Lewis again in the post fight interview. The scared Lewis retired shortly after that fight. Lewis turned down 30 million dollars for a rematch and retired like a coward because he knew he would get destroyed by Vitali. Vitali dominated Lewis and scared his bitch ass into retirement. http://i34.tinypic.com/izb4on.gif George Foreman: "Vitali was winning the fight. Lewis got lucky. There has to be a rematch!" Jim Lampley: "A lucky escape for Lewis who was clearly losing the fight" Even Emanuel Steward was upset and pissed off at Lewis for blatantly ducking a Vitali rematch. Lewis is scared to death of Vitali. The truth: Vitali lost by TKO.

Lennox Lewis was the most feared fighter in a pretty decent Heavyweight division. Guys like Bowe and Tyson wanted no part of Lewis in their primes. Lewis did get ktfo twice but he avenged both losses. He ktfo of Rahman and made McCall have a panic attack with his punches. Did Vitali avenge his loss to Byrd after he b*tched out on his stool? No he got little bro to do it instead.