Fights To Change History

[The Surgeon]

Lennox Lewis vs Rid**** Bowe

Why Didnt It Happen? It Did - in the Amatures, the 1988 Olympic Super Heavyweight Final. Lewis secured a second round stoppage. There were three occasions that it could have happened in the pro ranks. First after Lewis had KO'd Razor Ruddock and Bowe had beaten Holyfield but Bowe and manager Rock Newman reneged on a pre fight understanding and then made a number of lame offers until eventually Lewis accepted a winner take most type of deal, after no more was heard. Second, in 1994 after Bowe had lost the return with Holyfield, Lewis accepted Rid****'s challenge but blew it by getting Knocked out by Oliver McCal. Third, in 96 the fight was negotiated but Bowe backed out to fight Andrew Golota.

Who Would Have Won? Lewis. The 1993-94 Bowe was more experianced, had a far superior trainer in Futch and was the better in-fighter. But Lennox was quicker, could more than match Bowe's jab, Cross and uppercut, and more importantly, was far stronger physically (as their common opponents will tell u) and also mentally. In addition by 93 Bowe's gluttony was already a factor contributing to his loss to Holyfield late that year. When Lewis had a grudge against an opponent he was intesely focused and extremely dangerous and he Hated Bowe. By 1996 Lewis was trained by Emanuel Steward and was nearing his peak whereas Bowe was in decline. Lewis would have KO'd him early by then.

How Would It Have Changed History? It would have strengthened Lewis' claim to greatness even further and lowered Bowe's limited claim

What Happened Instead? Bowe was twice battered by Golota (despite winning by DQ on both occasions) after which he retired. Seven Years later Lewis retired as world champion. Bowe after a stint in jail made a sad attempt at a comeback

[The Surgeon]

George Foreman vs Larry Holmes

Why Did It Never Happen? Larry claims George avoided him but thats overstating it. The only times it seemed possible were 1977 (when it was mooted but never materialised) and 1999 when it was cancelled because the promoter failed to come up with the goods.

Who Would Have Won? Holmes. On points. In early 1977 the 27 year old, 6ft 3inch 15st Holmes was nearing his peak - three bouts away from winning every round against Earnie Shavers. The 28 year old Foreman was one bout away from losing to Jimmy Young who dropped him in the 12th. The 6ft 3 1/2 inch Foreman who weighed 16st 6lbs at the time had significant advantages when it came to power and strength but Holmes had the defencive skill to stay away from George's wide hooks and uppercuts. Foreman achieved more than Holmes in his late life comeback although some of Larrys results were equally impressive. After regaining the title George's power dissipated and his bouts started to go the distance, while Larry still had his magnificant jab.

How Would it Have Changed HW History? A 1977 win over Foreman would have boosted Holmes' standing. A 1999 win would have been good for bragging rights but in fact have been meaningless.

[joseph5620]

George Foreman vs Larry Holmes

Why Did It Never Happen? Larry claims George avoided him but thats overstating it. The only times it seemed possible were 1977 (when it was mooted but never materialised) and 1999 when it was cancelled because the promoter failed to come up with the goods.

Who Would Have Won? Holmes. On points. In early 1977 the 27 year old, 6ft 3inch 15st Holmes was nearing his peak - three bouts away from winning every round against Earnie Shavers. The 28 year old Foreman was one bout away from losing to Jimmy Young who dropped him in the 12th. The 6ft 3 1/2 inch Foreman who weighed 16st 6lbs at the time had significant advantages when it came to power and strength but Holmes had the defencive skill to stay away from George's wide hooks and uppercuts. Foreman achieved more than Holmes in his late life comeback although some of Larrys results were equally impressive. After regaining the title George's power dissipated and his bouts started to go the distance, while Larry still had his magnificant jab.

How Would it Have Changed HW History? A 1977 win over Foreman would have boosted Holmes' standing. A 1999 win would have been good for bragging rights but in fact have been meaningless.

Agreed. As meaningless as Holmes rematch with Mike Weaver. A rematch that should have happened when both were champions.

[The Surgeon]

Wladimir Klitchko vs Vitali Klitchko


Why didnt it / wont it happen?

The two leading Heavyweights of the era have dominated for a long time now and are rapidly running out of so called challengers but the pair also happen to be brothers. A promise to their mother and a genuine love and respect from each brother to the other has and will trump money and a bit of public demand in the Klitchko family.

Who would win?

Vitali. The bigger, stronger and more importantly sturdier of the Klitchko's would be the favourite and rightfully so even if Wlad may in fact be the better fighter. Wlad's chin has been found to be less than stellar. You could say, flat out terrible. He has survived by utilizing his size advantages and boxing ability, fighting very cautiously to protect his chin. Against his big brother he would be giving up his usual size advantages and while he has faced pressure before, pressure from a bigger man is far harder to deal with. Vitali with the highest KO% in HW history (even if it exaggerates his power) would surely hit with enough authority to KO his sibling. He'd have the range to land the shots too.

How would it change history?

We would probably have a Unified champion by now and would know who was truly the Heavyweight of the era, giving the winner far more credibility historically in this time of weak challengers. People tend to lump the brothers into one big Klitchko machine, a fight would separate the pair and give each more of a historical identity.

What has / will happen instead?

They both have dominated to this point alongside one another and will likely continue to do so until the elder brother Vitali decides to call it a day and go full time into politcs back in the Ukraine. Leaving Wladimir to attempt to fully unify the belts