Klitschko fans conundrum

[JAB5239]

The Klitschko fans conundrum......

Klit fans like to point out that Lewis retired without giving Vits a rematch, even though his plans were always to retire. So why do they not get on Vits for not rematching Byrd who he lost to even though both were closely ranked for years, and for not fighting his number one contender Hasim rahman? The Rahman fight was set several time's only to have Vits back out because of supposed injury. In one instance he said he couldn't fight and it fell apart only to have Vits fight a month after the proposed date. So why is this OK with Klitschko fans but they try to take Lewis done a peg even though he won? The Klitschko conundrum.

[IronDanHamza]

Did Byrd want the rematch?

[JAB5239]

Did Byrd want the rematch?

Does it matter? Vits never sought a rematch? Said he was going to and didn't. It's not ok for Lewis to retire after a win, but Vits can avoid Byrd after losing? Such a conundrum! And Rahman certainly wanted the fight.

[IronDanHamza]

Does it matter? Vits never sought a rematch? Said he was going to and didn't. It's not ok for Lewis to retire after a win, but Vits can avoid Byrd after losing? Such a conundrum! And Rahman certainly wanted the fight.

Was just wondering as I don’t remember if he did. You are alot more versed on this time frame of HW than I am.

I think it does matter, in this context.

[JAB5239]

Was just wondering as I don’t remember if he did. You are alot more versed on this time frame of HW than I am.

I think it does matter, in this context.

My whole point is we have a specific group that want us to believe Lewis ducked a rematch with Vits. I can show a timeline where he should have and could have fought both Rahman and Byrd. Why is it not OK for Lewis to retire and not come back, but its ok for Vits to avoid a Byrd rematch or his WBC number one Rahman? The double standards need to stop. These guys are getting ridiculous. It's more than 20 years later and they can't let go of this loss. Considering Vits overall resume and the Fact he didn't make these particular fights I'd say they have no leg to stand on. Let it go. Lewis is an all time great. Vits gave him he'll before getting stopped. But if Lewis owed him a rematch after winning surely Vits should have fought his mandatory and sought a rematch with Byrd.

[IronDanHamza]

My whole point is we have a specific group that want us to believe Lewis ducked a rematch with Vits. I can show a timeline where he should have and could have fought both Rahman and Byrd. Why is it not OK for Lewis to retire and not come back, but it’s ok for Vits to avoid a Byrd rematch or his WBC number one Rahman? The double standards need to stop. These guys are getting ridiculous. It's more than 20 years later and they can't let go of this loss. Considering Vits overall resume and the Fact he didn't make these particular fights I'd say they have no leg to stand on. Let it go. Lewis is an all time great. Vits gave him he'll before getting stopped. But if Lewis owed him a rematch after winning surely Vits should have fought his mandatory and sought a rematch with Byrd.

I think the difference would be that Vitali wanted a rematch with Lewis but Byrd didn’t want a rematch with Vitali (I don’t think) so it’s kind of out of Vitali’s hands there isn’t it.

Not sure why the Rahman fight didn’t happen but I’d just say that wasn’t a big fight unlike Lewis-Klitschko 2 which would have been a massive fight.

BUT I will say this, and this is me as no fan of Lewis, regardless to these two points you make, I’m not saying are right or wrong by the way, I was just offering a perspective as someone who didn’t follow much of and have little interest in that period of HW boxing, regardless to all that Lewis was still well within his rights to retire off that great win. He was 37, well passed it, and already had nothing else to do or prove as a HW. Me personally I don’t blame him for going off into the sunset off that win, which was one of the better wins of his elite career beating the next generations #2 HW which we’ve rarely seen happen in HW boxing ever.

Vitali had the chance to come back from that great performance himself against Lewis because both were great that night and etch out a great career for himself and he didn’t do that.

So, is what it is really.

[JAB5239]

I think the difference would be that Vitali wanted a rematch with Lewis but Byrd didn’t want a rematch with Vitali (I don’t think) so it’s kind of out of Vitali’s hands there isn’t it.

Not sure why the Rahman fight didn’t happen but I’d just say that wasn’t a big fight unlike Lewis-Klitschko 2 which would have been a massive fight.

BUT I will say this, and this is me as no fan of Lewis, regardless to these two points you make, I’m not saying are right or wrong by the way, I was just offering a perspective as someone who didn’t follow much of and have little interest in that period of HW boxing, regardless to all that Lewis was still well within his rights to retire off that great win. He was 37, well passed it, and already had nothing else to do or prove as a HW. Me personally I don’t blame him for going off into the sunset off that win, which was one of the better wins of his elite career beating the next generations #2 HW which we’ve rarely seen happen in HW boxing ever.

Vitali had the chance to come back from that great performance himself against Lewis because both were great that night and etch out a great career for himself and he didn’t do that.

So, is what it is really.

Byrd didn't need to want a rematch. Neither did Lewis. They both won. But why did Vits want the Old man but not the top contender he lost to and was still active and highly rated for years? Vit did have the chance you speak of. But Lewis retired and stayed that way. Why didn't he want to avenge the fight that actually ostracized him? Conundrums.

[IronDanHamza]

Byrd didn't need to want a rematch. Neither did Lewis. They both won. But why did Vits want the Old man but not the top contender he lost to and was still active and highly rated for years? Vit did have the chance you speak of. But Lewis retired and stayed that way. Why didn't he want to avenge the fight that actually ostracized him? Conundrums.

He did want it, right? Or did he not?

I was under the impression he wanted the rematch but Byrd didn’t

[JAB5239]

He did want it, right? Or did he not?

I was under the impression he wanted the rematch but Byrd didn’t

No. Vits NEVER sought a rematch even though he said he would after losing g in Germany. Byrd openly wondered why Vits never came looking to avenge the loss. You will here excuses about King and how wlad beat Byrd. But the fact is Vit fought a month after the Byrd -Wlad fight, a fight that could have been his if he wanted it. And even if it couldn't have been they were ranked numbers 1 and 2 the next several years with no attempt from Vits to make this fight.

[famicommander]

Any suggestion that Lewis owed him or anyone else another fight is just sour g****s.

Would I have watched a rematch? Hell yes.

But Lewis was the champion and he turned away the challenger by stoppage. I know a cut isn't the most fun ending to a fight but it was a legitimate win and Lewis more than earned the right to decide when enough was enough.