2 billion: More reasons why Lewis is an ATG top 10

[JAB5239]

I've been criticized for having Lewis at #5 all time with many claiming he shouldn't even be top 10. Well I came across a few lists from 2007 that help back my claim. Nothing has changed since then except Wlad has risen higher. The lists are predicated on "The Ring" year end rankings and who fought the most top 2 contenders since 1930 as monthly rankings are to difficult to put together. I DID NOT put these lists together.

1. Joe Louis 20-3 (16 KO)
2. Muhammad Ali 18-3 (11 KO)
3. Rocky Marciano 9-0 (8 KO)
4. Lennox Lewis 8-2-1 (7 KO)
5. Ezzard Charles 14-11 (5 KO)
6. Mike Tyson 7-3 (5 KO)
7. Primo Carnera 7-3 (2 KO)
8. Evander Holyfield 9-6-2 (4 KO)
9. Joe Frazier 7-4 (6 KO)
10. Sonny Liston 5-2 (4 KO)
11. Rid**** Bowe 4-1 (3 KO)
12. Wladimir Klitschko 3-0 (1 KO)
13. Max Schmeling 6-4-1 (3 KO)
14. Michael Spinks 3-1 (1 KO)
15. Larry Holmes 6-5 (4 KO)
16. Jack Sharkey 6-5 (1 KO)
17. George Foreman 4-3 (4 KO)
18. Jim Braddock 2-1 (0 KO)
19. Ingomar Johansson 2-2 (2 KO)
20. Michael Moorer 2-2 (0 KO)
21. Shannon Briggs 1-1 (0 KO)
22. Floyd Patterson 6-7-1 (4 KO)
23. Vitali Klitschko 1-2 (1 KO)
24. Jersey Joe Walcott 6-8 (2 KO)
25. Max Baer 5-8 (3 KO)
26. Hasim Rahman 1-3-1 (1 KO)
27. Leon Spinks 1-3 (0 KO)

Most wins-
1. Louis (20)
2. Ali (eighteen)
3. Charles (14)
4. Marciano (9)
4. Holyfield (9)

Most men defeated-
1. Louis (16)
2. Ali (12)
3. Lewis (eight)
4. Holyfield (eight)
5. Marciano (7)
5. Charles (7)

Highest KO percentage (to total fights)
1. Marciano (89%)
2. Louis (70%)
3. Lewis (64%)
4. Bowe (60%)
5. Liston (57%)
5. Foreman (57%)

Most KO's
1. Louis (16)
2. Ali (11)
3. Marciano (eight)
4. Lewis (7)
5. Frazier (6)

Most contenders ko'd
1. Louis (16)
2. Ali (eight)
3. Marciano (7)
3. Lewis (7)
5. Tyson (5)

All this of course is factored in to him beating every man he ever faced and fighting in a very good heavyweight era.

[Greatest1942]

I've been criticized for having Lewis at #5 all time with many claiming he shouldn't even be top 10. Well I came across a few lists from 2007 that help back my claim. Nothing has changed since then except Wlad has risen higher. The lists are predicated on "The Ring" year end rankings and who fought the most top 2 contenders since 1930 as monthly rankings are to difficult to put together. I DID NOT put these lists together.

1. Joe Louis 20-3 (16 KO)
2. Muhammad Ali 18-3 (11 KO)
3. Rocky Marciano 9-0 (8 KO)
4. Lennox Lewis 8-2-1 (7 KO)
5. Ezzard Charles 14-11 (5 KO)
6. Mike Tyson 7-3 (5 KO)
7. Primo Carnera 7-3 (2 KO)
8. Evander Holyfield 9-6-2 (4 KO)
9. Joe Frazier 7-4 (6 KO)
10. Sonny Liston 5-2 (4 KO)
11. Rid**** Bowe 4-1 (3 KO)
12. Wladimir Klitschko 3-0 (1 KO)
13. Max Schmeling 6-4-1 (3 KO)
14. Michael Spinks 3-1 (1 KO)
15. Larry Holmes 6-5 (4 KO)
16. Jack Sharkey 6-5 (1 KO)
17. George Foreman 4-3 (4 KO)
18. Jim Braddock 2-1 (0 KO)
19. Ingomar Johansson 2-2 (2 KO)
20. Michael Moorer 2-2 (0 KO)
21. Shannon Briggs 1-1 (0 KO)
22. Floyd Patterson 6-7-1 (4 KO)
23. Vitali Klitschko 1-2 (1 KO)
24. Jersey Joe Walcott 6-8 (2 KO)
25. Max Baer 5-8 (3 KO)
26. Hasim Rahman 1-3-1 (1 KO)
27. Leon Spinks 1-3 (0 KO)

Most wins-
1. Louis (20)
2. Ali (eighteen)
3. Charles (14)
4. Marciano (9)
4. Holyfield (9)

Most men defeated-
1. Louis (16)
2. Ali (12)
3. Lewis (eight)
4. Holyfield (eight)
5. Marciano (7)
5. Charles (7)

Highest KO percentage (to total fights)
1. Marciano (89%)
2. Louis (70%)
3. Lewis (64%)
4. Bowe (60%)
5. Liston (57%)
5. Foreman (57%)

Most KO's
1. Louis (16)
2. Ali (11)
3. Marciano (eight)
4. Lewis (7)
5. Frazier (6)

Most contenders ko'd
1. Louis (16)
2. Ali (eight)
3. Marciano (7)
3. Lewis (7)
5. Tyson (5)

All this of course is factored in to him beating every man he ever faced and fighting in a very good heavyweight era.

Lewis got beat by two very medicore fighters, he shouldnt have lost to these men . May be thats why many dont have him in their list. He is as you said a one of the few who beat every man he faced.

But as far as fighting a very good heavy weight era, I think his fights with Holy should be 1-1, and he did not meet Tyson or Bowe at their primes( no fault of his).

One of my grudges with Lewis is the fact that he should have given Vitaly a rematch no doubt. If he beat Vitaly the second time I would really have him in my top 10.

Though if some one has him in his top 10 I dont criticize , I am aware that there are many reasons he can be in top 10.

[JAB5239]

Lewis got beat by two very medicore fighters, he shouldnt have lost to these men . May be thats why many dont have him in their list. He is as you said a one of the few who beat every man he faced.

There is no excusing his losses just like losses by Dempsey, Johnson and others should not be excused. But he did come back and prove those fights to be flukes, and that he was the better fighter.

But as far as fighting a very good heavy weight era, I think his fights with Holy should be 1-1, and he did not meet Tyson or Bowe at their primes( no fault of his).

I just watched the second Holy fight a few months ago again and had it for Lewis in a tough close fight. As far as what happened with Bowe...we all know that story. As far as Tyson, it is my belief Lewis took step aside money thinking like many others that Mike was going to beat Evander making their showdown that much bigger.

One of my grudges with Lewis is the fact that he should have given Vitaly a rematch no doubt. If he beat Vitaly the second time I would really have him in my top 10.

His best days were past and he realized it. He should not have made him wait around so long before announcing his retirement though.

Though if some one has him in his top 10 I dont criticize , I am aware that there are many reasons he can be in top 10.

I think that is fair.

[IMDAZED]

I didn't know Lennox was so underrated until I began posting here. I can't imagine a top ten HW list without him on it.

[RubenSonny]

I didn't know Lennox was so underrated until I began posting here. I can't imagine a top ten HW list without him on it.

I actually removed him from my top 10, and I don't view him as an ATG either.

[RubenSonny]

Dempsey and Johnson losses are not of equal comparison to Lewis' that is unfair.

[IMDAZED]

I actually removed him from my top 10.

You are evil personified.

[RubenSonny]

You are evil personified.

Funny thing is I actually like him, I met him as a kid and my Mom knew his Mom well, I just think he is horribly overrated.

[IMDAZED]

Funny thing is I actually like him, I met him as a kid and my Mom knew his Mom well, I just think he is horribly overrated.

Why, dude? Because of the two losses? Just curious.

BTW, met Lennox a bunch of times - he's a regular in Ghana. Cool cat. Little weird.

[IronDanHamza]

I actually removed him from my top 10, and I don't view him as an ATG either.

He's never been in mine.