Lennox Lewis.

[BKM-]

I have a lot of respect for Danny Williams too, because of the way he handled his win over an old Tyson. He admitted that it wasn't even close to a prime Tyson and such. And like Benny Leonard said the best, Lewis knew Tyson was all hype by that time, and he wanted to put it to rest, and he did(sort of, people will always think of a monster when Tyson fights) I don't think he ever tried to credit himself into letting people believe he beat a prime Tyson. He had much better wins on his record obviously.

[Franko]

I have a lot of respect for Danny Williams too, because of the way he handled his win over an old Tyson. He admitted that it wasn't even close to a prime Tyson and such. And like Benny Leonard said the best, Lewis knew Tyson was all hype by that time, and he wanted to put it to rest, and he did(sort of, people will always think of a monster when Tyson fights) I don't think he ever tried to credit himself into letting people believe he beat a prime Tyson. He had much better wins on his record obviously.

I agree (to your comments in bold), but Lewis shouldn't describe the Tyson fight as his 'defining' one. Credit where credit is due, Lennox Lewis was a great fighter,and it was a shame he never got to face Mike Tyson in his prime... Also a great fighter.

[butterfly1964]

I wrote a reasonable post, don't even reply if you gonna put a silly smiley like that... It's disrespectful... If you have something to say then write something like I did.. Don't give me that bull****...

I think Brassangel, Yaman, and Franko did my posting for me.

[nesta1]

I'd have to disagree. On the theory of prime against prime i'd say that Tyson has a chance of beating any heavyweight in boxing history.
IMO not much emphasis should be placed on Lewis's win over Tyson, and it annoys me when people describe it as the fight that cemented his greatness in boxing etc. It was a great performance by Lewis against a shadow of Mike Tyson and that's what it should always be recalled as.
I don't place much emphasis on Ezzard Charles V Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano V Joe Louis, Ray Leonard V Hector Camacho, Larry Holmes V Muhammad Ali, Trevor Berbick V Muhammad Ali etc etc because one of the fighters in these fights was shot to bits.

Perfect answer

[butterfly1964]

Perfect answer

Yeah.......

[Rudyo]

[/B]

I agree (to your comments in bold), but Lewis shouldn't describe the Tyson fight as his 'defining' one. Credit where credit is due, Lennox Lewis was a great fighter,and it was a shame he never got to face Mike Tyson in his prime... Also a great fighter.

It is his defining fight to the public, it was his biggest fight attention/money wise. Why are people not getting what Lewis is trying to say, he's not saying that Tyson is the best fighter he fought but it gained him respect with the public.

[Franko]

It is his defining fight to the public, it was his biggest fight attention/money wise. Why are people not getting what Lewis is trying to say, he's not saying that Tyson is the best fighter he fought but it gained him respect with the public.

I don't think that anyone on this thread doesn't realise that Lewis knew that Tyson was not the fighter that he once was, therefore, my opinion is that the fight should not be described as defining. Success in the ring is what defines a great champion, then comes the attention and money. (You can't have one without the other, so to speak). IMO Lewis deserves more credit for other accomplishments, and like i've stated previously, had he fought Tyson in his prime, or Rid**** Bowe then these would have been defining fights. Lewis could do nothing about that, and true, Tyson may have been Lewis's biggest fight attention/money wise, but IMO it takes more than that to make a defining fight.

[me2007]

What was Tysons defining fight? I can`t see any wins over great opponents on his record.

I'd say Tysons legacy was cemented when he got ko'd by james 'carpet salesman' douglas.

Lewis would have beaten Tyson at any stage of his career.

[Franko]

What was Tysons defining fight? I can`t see any wins over great opponents on his record.

I'd say Tysons legacy was cemented when he got ko'd by james 'carpet salesman' douglas.

Lewis would have beaten Tyson at any stage of his career.

I refer you back to my previous post...

Tyson's prime was brief, but it was unforgettable and explosive and the level of opposition during this time compare favourably with most on the career record of Lennox Lewis, and no doubt they would do well in the current heavyweight division. I'm talking about the likes of Jesse Ferguson, James Tillis, Jose Ribalta, Bonecrusher Smith, Pinklon Thomas, Tony Tucker, Mitch Green, Tyrell Biggs, Tony Tubbs, Frank Bruno, Carl Williams, Larry Holmes (though obviously past his prime), and Mike Spinks. IMO when Tyson beat Spinks he would have tested any heavyweight in history, despite Spinks being a blown up heavyweight, and IMO Tyson and Lewis are in what i would call the third tier of heavyweight greats.

[2skinny2fight]

i dont think ibelive it at all now, but i remember watching that fight, and while it was going on and especially the 1st round i was very pissed because it almost looked like the fight was "set up" for tyson to lose, lewis is a great fighter but, never being defeated and getting ko by tyson would hurt his persona, just my .02

mike