Every year this poll must be done. Prime Lewis vs Wladimir.

I don't think Lewis was overrated, I think Wlad is underrated. It will be a close fight, but saying Lewis never faced anyone as good as Wlad? Vice versa too. One thing we do know is that Lennox never fought anyone as good as Wlad but the versions of Holyfield/Vitali he did fight was closer to Wlad in skills than any version of any fighter Wlad fought that's close to Lennox in skills. I meant lennox is overrated by many of his fans on here that think he was unbeatable. I didn't say lennox never fought anyone as skilled as wlad,,,,I meant he never fought a guy his size with wlads two fisted power. obviously wlad never fought a guy like lennox either. I just think its a much more even fight than most others but have mad respect for both fighters

prime lenox whoops prime wlad

I have no doubt that some will look at the record and take it by face value. It's kinda like Floydstans saying that Mayweather is TBE. Lummox also has some very ignorant fanboys. Not to the extent of Klittards,*******s, or *****s though. Not even close. But I agree with that. Lewis had flaws, but he was a great fighter. As was Wlad. Saying Wlad knocked Lewis out of the top 10 ATG HW standings though is absurd and stupid. Wlad might surpass Lewis in resume someday soon, but that still won't knock Lewis out of the top 10. Even if Wlad pass Lewis, there isn't 9 other Heavys with better resumes/h2h skills. There just isn't. You can say it is but the vast majority of the boxing World disagrees. When it comes to Lewis the likes of Elroy and these other posters in this thread actually is more intelligent than you. Your hatred blinds you and that's sad. Especially sad because I think you have been posting for a decade or something.

yea,,,,its pretty amazing how many overrate lewis. he was great but far from unbeatable and he never faced a heavyweight his size as good a two fisted puncher as wlad. there's vitali but he hadn't near the snap and quickness of wlads punches. it would be a dangerous fight for both and anyone saying otherwise doesn't know boxing I don't think Lewis was overrated, I think Wlad is underrated. It will be a close fight, but saying Lewis never faced anyone as good as Wlad? Vice versa too. One thing we do know is that Lennox never fought anyone as good as Wlad but the versions of Holyfield/Vitali he did fight was closer to Wlad in skills than any version of any fighter Wlad fought that's close to Lennox in skills.

You don't know that for sure. Was Vitali winning prior, yes. Did he look the fresher? yes, sure but we don't know who would of won if it had continued. Its speculation. Then why didn't he? Because Byrd would of continued hitting his shoulder! He quit! He surrendered. It doesn't matter who was winning at the time, we see come from behind wins all the time. That is the beauty of boxing, its not over until your hands raised. Its not how well you start, its how you finish. I don't understand the whole freak accident thing - Lewis cut so many fighters. These guys throw leather at each other with bad intentions, everything thrown is to do damage. It wasn't even one shot it was from an accumulation. It wasn't like it was just a single cut, he was busted up, cut in several places in fact. His mouth, his cheek, all around his eye. You can say you think he'd of won a rematch with either/both, I'd agree but to say they wasn't clear wins or something, that is silly talk. He gave a great account of himself, he was winning at the time but they overcame adversity and found a way too win, Vitali never. He lost just like every other fighter to quit through injury or get stopped under Doctors orders due to substantial facial damage. I didn't claim those decisions ought to be overturned.. I merely pointed out that those were pretty weak losses. Certainly much weaker than, say, being both outboxed and sparked cleanly by Rahman. The HBO team and all the fans in the arena were besides themselves, one of the most outrageous things ever seen in pro boxing. Vitali quit an UNLOSABLE fight! And the crowd booed Lenox and cheered for Vitali, Lennox was hammered by Merchant in the corner, Lennox ran for cover after that. These don't seem like things surrounding a clear victory, it was commanding a rematch. Lewis might have won the bout, but the fight, the event, was won by Vitali.

50/50 fight...

Lennox better than wlad due to his ring iq and the ability to fight on the inside aswell as out. Wlad could trouble him but lewis had better footwork aswell so id favour lewis.

i respect your opinion but in 20 years from now when people will see lennox beat tyson & klitschko to close out his career. 2 of the most recognizable HWs of an era...if it ended in 2014 for they would say who are leapai & pulev? I have no doubt that some will look at the record and take it by face value. It's kinda like Floydstans saying that Mayweather is TBE. Lummox also has some very ignorant fanboys.

Wlad has more 1 punch KO power but Lewis could sustain offensive barrages for much longer.

not sure how you figure lewis had the better jab,,,hit harder or was faster. wlad is clearly a bit quicker and has the heavier hands but Lewis's power is no joke either of course Eyeball test. Klitschko has crunching power but Lewis was simply a better offensive fighter. He could jab just as well coming forward as he did on his backfoot, something Wladimir isn't as good as doing. Plus, Lewis has the longer reach. Lewis also has a greater variety of punches in his arsenal and frequently threw them to the head and body. He was explosive. Could fight on the inside. Would go to war if he had to. And for a man of his size, was surprisingly light on his feet, able to glide around the ring and jab. Look, it's no knock on Wlad. Lewis is simply a cut or two above.

This is a good fight but Lewis wins, probably via stoppage. Wlad has a great stick and Lewis struggled with good jabbers (Mercer, Holyfield II and even Rahman) so I could see that being a problem for him. However, Wlad has similar issues (a washed-up Mercer turned his eye black by landing a few solid ones) and Lewis has the better jab of the two. And is better adept at coming forward behind that jab, threw mean combinations and had devastating power in both fists. Wlad fights cautious against light hitters. He'd be on his heels a lot against a fighter actually longer than him, more powerful, as quick if not quicker and able to take a better punch. This would be a decent scrap but given their styles, I don't see Wlad lasting the distance. not sure how you figure lewis had the better jab,,,hit harder or was faster. wlad is clearly a bit quicker and has the heavier hands but Lewis's power is no joke either of course

This is a good fight but Lewis wins, probably via stoppage. Wlad has a great stick and Lewis struggled with good jabbers (Mercer, Holyfield II and even Rahman) so I could see that being a problem for him. However, Wlad has similar issues (a washed-up Mercer turned his eye black by landing a few solid ones) and Lewis has the better jab of the two. And is better adept at coming forward behind that jab, threw mean combinations and had devastating power in both fists. Wlad fights cautious against light hitters. He'd be on his heels a lot against a fighter actually longer than him, more powerful, as quick if not quicker and able to take a better punch. This would be a decent scrap but given their styles, I don't see Wlad lasting the distance.

Why does this poll have to be made every year? To allow wannabe revisionist historians and propagandists to interpret events to better suit their feggity agenda a little at a time. That way nobody notices. That's why.

Wlad hits harder than anyone Lennox faced(and who has Lennox faced who wasn't past prime and faded?) and we know Lennox has a glass jaw(McCall and Rachman iced him with one punch). Wlad has never been iced. Lewis fought in one of the best eras ever. Look what an out of shape Lewis did to Vitalis face ffs. Just go on YouTube and wacht highlights of Lewis KOing the top HWs in a quality era. Wlad can't even KO a bulked up cruiserweight.

Even the out of shape and unmotivated Lewis who mangled his brother's face would beat Wladimir. He wouldn't be able to take what Vitali did lewis on that night wouldn't have made it past that second round if it was wlads right hand that landed flush

The only thing Wladimir does better than Lewis is clinch and lean on people. Wouldn't work against Lewis who isn't some fat little pudding like Povetkin. wlads jab and left hook are heavier and hes a bit quicker. Id much rather be hit by a lews uppercut or right hand than a wlad hook

Lewis was much more aggressive against bigger guys. He would have seperated Wlad from his senses with that uppercut he landed on Vitali I think odds are Lewis would stop Wlad, but it's as much speculation as my belief that Vitali would win a Lewis rematch. Lewis was "unmotivated"=much lamer and more arbitrary than any excuse Elroy is making, innit arse?

Its like that Gonzalez kid who was beating up Ricky Burns, he could of coasted and won on points but he quit with a hand injury. He didn't want it enough and he quit. He gave the fight away just like Vitali did all those years ago against Chris Byrd. I don't see Gonzalez's fans saying it wasn't a clear win or trying to take anything away from Burns victory.

Riveting rebuttal. Sorry arse mate I don't make penpals with neonazis. KHANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN 2fast Innit

You are just as bad as the USA USA USA guys. We get it you live on a piece of land, congratulations. Lewis was much more aggressive against bigger guys. He would have seperated Wlad from his senses with that uppercut he landed on Vitali