Lewis vs Tyson

[BattlingNelson]

You know....All the Lewis haters forget this constantly. Lewis was in horrible shape because it was a fight against a small slow powder puff punching opponent.

Not intending to make this a Lewis-Vitali debate, but note that Lewis was in Camp for a World championship fight while Vitali took it on 10 days notice while preparing for an undercard fight. Big difference.

[billeau2]

Not intending to make this a Lewis-Vitali debate, but note that Lewis was in Camp for a World championship fight while Vitali took it on 10 days notice while preparing for an undercard fight. Big difference.

True. I don't think Vitalie was any better prepared. I think both guys got caught...Lewis was crazy to take the fight and underestimated Vitalie.

What boggles my mind is that Lewis is known to be a real stickler about training selectively based on the opponent! I can't imagine two more opposite opponents than a big, strong, hard hitting guy with reach compared to a pudgy, small, marginally fast opponent.

[BattlingNelson]

True. I don't think Vitalie was any better prepared. I think both guys got caught...Lewis was crazy to take the fight and underestimated Vitalie.

What boggles my mind is that Lewis is known to be a real stickler about training selectively based on the opponent! I can't imagine two more opposite opponents than a big, strong, hard hitting guy with reach compared to a pudgy, small, marginally fast opponent.

Compare that to Vitali who prepared for an undercard fight against a noname in Cedric Boswell and then ending up fighting for the Championship of the World on 10 days notice against a man some people rate as a top 5 all time HW.

[LacedUp]

Compare that to Vitali who prepared for an undercard fight against a noname in Cedric Boswell and then ending up fighting for the Championship of the World on 10 days notice against a man some people rate as a top 5 all time HW.

I think there are plenty of elements that make out that Lewis was far worse off than Vitali.

As for the OP, are we supposed to blame Lewis for whatever shape, or lack thereof, Tyson was in?

People wanted to see Tyson vs Lewis, and people thought Tyson had a good chance to win. Or some people did. But it was an illusion. It's not Lewis fault that Tyson had a mantra going "I just need one more fight, then I'm ready" for the best part of 3-4 years.

Was Tyson the best name on Lewis' resume? Yeah, probably. but it was the crap version of him, though to no fault of Lewis who wanted to fight Tyson for a long while.

[LEFTYGUNZZ]

Lewis went `All Out`for a second fight with Tyson. But it was virtually impossible to "get the fight sanctioned" due to Mike Tyson's Drug Dependency/Addiction. Lewis then boasted how he would have,"One brother for breakfast, the other brother for Tea". Vitali the weaker of the two brother was first and Lewis very nearly came unstuck. Lewis then ran off into retirement with his trousers full of brown, at the thought of Wladimir!

YOU HATE LEWIS, this is more than evident. I am sure Mike's extra curricular activities didn't help him any in getting sanctioned just saying that I was NOT aware.

In the mentioned Lewis-Vitali bout, Lewis was actually supposed to fight Kirk Johnson but Johnson was injured. Just in case anyone forgot.

I DID MENTION THAT VITALI WAS A LAST MINUTE STAND IN

You know....All the Lewis haters forget this constantly. Lewis was in horrible shape because it was a fight against a small slow powder puff punching opponent.

Yes he (LEWIS) didn't think he was going to fight that beast that night

Compare that to Vitali who prepared for an undercard fight against a noname in Cedric Boswell and then ending up fighting for the Championship of the World on 10 days notice against a man some people rate as a top 5 all time HW.

Vitali was preparing for HW dominace as Lewis was preparing for retirement. His mountain top had been reached (TYSON) and he did beat every man he ever faced. Even McCall and The Rock in rematches. I think it was a tough match for both men. I would just see it as being tougher for Lewis since Vitali was probably in much better shape that night. It's a shame his skin didn't hold up or he might have dethroned Lewis that night and we (THE FANS) would have gotten the rematch we all so desperately wanted to see.

[sonnyboyx2]

I think there are plenty of elements that make out that Lewis was far worse off than Vitali.

As for the OP, are we supposed to blame Lewis for whatever shape, or lack thereof, Tyson was in?

People wanted to see Tyson vs Lewis, and people thought Tyson had a good chance to win. Or some people did. But it was an illusion. It's not Lewis fault that Tyson had a mantra going "I just need one more fight, then I'm ready" for the best part of 3-4 years.

Was Tyson the best name on Lewis' resume? Yeah, probably. but it was the crap version of him, though to no fault of Lewis who wanted to fight Tyson for a long while.

Of course it's Lewis fault. if he truely wanted to fight Mike Tyson then back in 1996 he could and should have turned down the offer of, Step-a-side-money. he did not have to accept it, he could have said NO THANKS and went ahead and fought Tyson... is it Lewis fault that Tyson was addicted to anti-depressants, alcohol, ******* and cannabis when he fought him in 2002 Lennox has to answer that question "Should he have fought him" knowing he was dependent and in such terrible shape.

[TBear]

Not intending to make this a Lewis-Vitali debate, but note that Lewis was in Camp for a World championship fight while Vitali took it on 10 days notice while preparing for an undercard fight. Big difference.

I assume both fighters were in the gym while both were not doing the work necessary for a fight against each other. Lewis's fight was cancelled and the first thing a fighter does when a fight is cancelled, is do the things you can't do during training. Like stay out late, eat extra desert etc. Then when the fight was made, you try to re-establish the training routine. Vitali was probably in the gym but was not training for a fight of this magnitude.

Personally I believe both fighters where ill prepared. They took their chances.

[LacedUp]

Of course it's Lewis fault. if he truely wanted to fight Mike Tyson then back in 1996 he could and should have turned down the offer of, Step-a-side-money. he did not have to accept it, he could have said NO THANKS and went ahead and fought Tyson... is it Lewis fault that Tyson was addicted to anti-depressants, alcohol, ******* and cannabis when he fought him in 2002 Lennox has to answer that question "Should he have fought him" knowing he was dependent and in such terrible shape.

If he truly wanted to face Tyson, he should have quit his HBO contract, accepted the law-suit, ruined his relationship with the guys who supported him for years and get $6 million.

I don't know what your agenda is, but it's quite ridiculous.

[sonnyboyx2]

[QUOTE=LEFTYGUNZZ;15305193]YOU HATE LEWIS, this is more than evident. I am sure Mike's extra curricular activities didn't help him any in getting sanctioned just saying that I was NOT aware.



it's not hate. it's called knowledge

http://articles.latimes.com/2003/may...rts/sp-boxing9

[sonnyboyx2]

If he truly wanted to face Tyson, he should have quit his HBO contract, accepted the law-suit, ruined his relationship with the guys who supported him for years and get $6 million.

I don't know what your agenda is, but it's quite ridiculous.

it wasn't $6 million it was $10 million