Lennox Lewis: A Reappraisal

[StarshipTrooper]

I had a originally considered making this thread last year but I held off thanks to the Lennox hater-hugger war going on. Now that THAT has thankfully receeded into the rearview mirrors I thought I would resurrect the idea.

So what is the case for or against Lewis' ATG status? As I see it,


For (in no particular order):

1. Loads of natural talent. His reach alone made him trouble for anyone.
2. Eventually developed a great jab and over-all skill set.
3. Great power, could KO all but the most granite chins.
4. Defeated every man he ever faced. Speaks for itself.
5. Fought in a tough era and faced the vast majority of top names.
6. Won by TKO while past-prime against the best Heavy of the next era.
7. Beat in-prime versions of Rudduck, Mercer, and Tua. Certainly better fighters then the "top" challengers of the next era.


Against (again in no particular order):

1. Chin, was wobbled by some opponents that couldn't be called big punchers.
2. Lost by KO to two jouneymen opponents.
3. His two biggest name opponents where either past-it (Holyfield) or completely washed-up (Tyson).
4. By the time someone taught him how to fight his physical prime was almost gone, leaving a short "boxing prime".
5. Lacked a killer instict when faced with his best opponents.


So. Can anyone add anything to either column? Do his positives outweigh his negatives or visa-versa? ATG or Near Great? How do YOU put Lewis into perspective of the Heavyweight greats?

Be aware, I don't want this to turn into another hater/hugger thread. Some rational analysis is desired here!

Poet

[IronDanHamza]

Top 15 ATG HW at least, IMO.

Depending on your criteria for 'ATG' status he could be considered ATG HW but could also be considered as 'not an ATG HW' or 'Near ATG'.

Some people are alot stricter with that term ATG than another.

[them_apples]

I had a originally considered making this thread last year but I held off thanks to the Lennox hater-hugger war going on. Now that THAT has thankfully receeded into the rearview mirrors I thought I would resurrect the idea.

So what is the case for or against Lewis' ATG status? As I see it,


For (in no particular order):

1. Loads of natural talent. His reach alone made him trouble for anyone.
2. Eventually developed a great jab and over-all skill set.
3. Great power, could KO all but the most granite chins.
4. Defeated every man he ever faced. Speaks for itself.
5. Fought in a tough era and faced the vast majority of top names.
6. Won by TKO while past-prime against the best Heavy of the next era.
7. Beat in-prime versions of Rudduck, Mercer, and Tua. Certainly better fighters then the "top" challengers of the next era.


Against (again in no particular order):

1. Chin, was wobbled by some opponents that couldn't be called big punchers.
2. Lost by KO to two jouneymen opponents.
3. His two biggest name opponents where either past-it (Holyfield) or completely washed-up (Tyson).
4. By the time someone taught him how to fight his physical prime was almost gone, leaving a short "boxing prime".
5. Lacked a killer instict when faced with his best opponents.


So. Can anyone add anything to either column? Do his positives outweigh his negatives or visa-versa? ATG or Near Great? How do YOU put Lewis into perspective of the Heavyweight greats?

Be aware, I don't want this to turn into another hater/hugger thread. Some rational analysis is desired here!

Poet

he's obviously an ATG for me, just not the best.

[New England]

punchers he faced / defeated

i bring this up every time he gets called chinny out there or somebody questions his heart because he didn't fight with a snarl on his face and try and bite a mans head off

say what you want about these guys, they range from good solid punchers to F-in bruisers and skull smashers

tyson
rahman
klitshcko
tua
grant
holyfield
shannon the cannon
mercer
morrison
ruddock
golota


and rid**** bowe clearly ducked him to singlehandedly kibosh one of the biggest potential fights of the 90's


good thread
lennox's reputation will favor from the serious lack of talent followed it

he'd certainly have at least made a fight of it with any great HW champion

[BKM-2010]

I have him in the top 5 for heavyweights. The more time passes the greater his legacy becomes.

[New England]

Top 15 ATG HW at least, IMO.

Depending on your criteria for 'ATG' status he could be considered ATG HW but could also be considered as 'not an ATG HW' or 'Near ATG'.

Some people are alot stricter with that term ATG than another.

lol

[Welsh Jon]

He's a top 10 heavyweight in my opinion.

[Scott9945]

I had a originally considered making this thread last year but I held off thanks to the Lennox hater-hugger war going on. Now that THAT has thankfully receeded into the rearview mirrors I thought I would resurrect the idea.

So what is the case for or against Lewis' ATG status? As I see it,


For (in no particular order):

1. Loads of natural talent. His reach alone made him trouble for anyone.
2. Eventually developed a great jab and over-all skill set.
3. Great power, could KO all but the most granite chins.
4. Defeated every man he ever faced. Speaks for itself.
5. Fought in a tough era and faced the vast majority of top names.
6. Won by TKO while past-prime against the best Heavy of the next era.
7. Beat in-prime versions of Rudduck, Mercer, and Tua. Certainly better fighters then the "top" challengers of the next era.


Against (again in no particular order):

1. Chin, was wobbled by some opponents that couldn't be called big punchers.
2. Lost by KO to two jouneymen opponents.
3. His two biggest name opponents where either past-it (Holyfield) or completely washed-up (Tyson).
4. By the time someone taught him how to fight his physical prime was almost gone, leaving a short "boxing prime".
5. Lacked a killer instict when faced with his best opponents.


So. Can anyone add anything to either column? Do his positives outweigh his negatives or visa-versa? ATG or Near Great? How do YOU put Lewis into perspective of the Heavyweight greats?

Be aware, I don't want this to turn into another hater/hugger thread. Some rational analysis is desired here!

Poet

A very fair and balanced assesment. I like how you didn't attempt to minimize Tua and Ruddock's skills when he fought them like others have. I am a little curious about his being wobbled though. Other than Briggs (an overrated stumble IMO) and obviously the two KO losses, what other example do you have of this?

[StarshipTrooper]

Some people are alot stricter with that term ATG than another.

I'm one of those: I don't bandy the term "great" around lightly and easily as I think it cheapens the meaning of the word.

Poet

[StarshipTrooper]

A very fair and balanced assesment. I like how you didn't attempt to minimize Tua and Ruddock's skills when he fought them like others have. I am a little curious about his being wobbled though. Other than Briggs (an overrated stumble IMO) and obviously the two KO losses, what other example do you have of this?

I'd have to rewatch my Lewis collection (I have all but the Steve Garber fight) to give you the specific names. Suffice it to say I've seen all but one of Lennox's fights and seen him seriously rocked on more than one occasion and that sort of thing sticks with me. And I certainly wouldn't consider McCall or Rahman huge punchers by any means. For the record I think his chin trumps Wlad's any day of the week: I seriously doubt he could have taken the punches Mercer landed on Lewis without going to sleep.

Poet