Is Lennox Lewis the best Overall heavyweight in history?

[GhostofDempsey]

It is difficult to rank Lewis. Reason being, he was so much bigger and heavier than most of his opponents. This really neutralized their power and skill set coming into the fight. In his defense, he never ducked anyone and he got redemption in both of his KO losses. I think you have to make a case for him when discussing his status as a top ten HW all time.

[Rockybigblower]

Lennox Lewis is was and probably is still a good fighter. My only problem is this...he was the first marinater. Just like floyd vs manny...lewis waited for Iron Mike to get old disinterested and to a point where it was only about the money...then claimed the victory which to me was no more important than when kevin mcbride or danny williams fought him. Thats why he doesnt have his defining fight...and for all the talk about him winning the rematches...he didnt want any more of vitali so retired...nuff said.

[Anthony342]

Of course not. He was getting hit pretty hard but, even out of shape, managed to get toe cut stoppage. He probably figured he'd lose a rematch and wanted to go out with a win. At least at that point, there was no more BS talk of Vitali being a quitter after that.

[billeau2]

It is difficult to rank Lewis. Reason being, he was so much bigger and heavier than most of his opponents. This really neutralized their power and skill set coming into the fight. In his defense, he never ducked anyone and he got redemption in both of his KO losses. I think you have to make a case for him when discussing his status as a top ten HW all time.

If one considers precident to any degree we find that Lewis lost to smaller men. Even the fight with Ray Mercer, a tough fight for lewis, some thought Mercer won...was against a smaller man. So to say he would neutralize the power of an opponent who was smaller is not logical when discussing guys who were the best heavyweights.

I think Lewis was a great fighter and I adored him as a champ precisely because he fought all commers. but realistically against an elite puncher, or swarmer (like Tyson or Dempsey) his lack of footwork would get him in trouble...we know that because of what happened, not hypothetically. Oliver mcall is the best example because mcall on his best days packed a mean punch.

I tend to think that guys from Dempsey's era up through to Louis could easily be coached to avoid a big lumbering fighter who could not pack a punch in both hands.

[KnockoutNed]

Top 10 alltime and best HW of the last 20 years. His career vastly overshadowed both of the Klitschko bums

[The plunger man]

In the top 10? Barely.

Depends on your definition of among the best. Ali, Joe Louis, Jack Dempsey, Foreman, Lison, Holmes are all better than him.

What the hell you on about....lewis rivals any great heavyweight in history and i would arguably only place louis and ali above him......tyson,holyfield,morrison,klictcko,ruddock ,golota,tua,mercer,bruno and he avenged his only two losses , also won back the heavyweight title 3 times which is the same amount as ali did.....lewis beats any heavyweight in history when he is motivated

[The plunger man]

If one considers precident to any degree we find that Lewis lost to smaller men. Even the fight with Ray Mercer, a tough fight for lewis, some thought Mercer won...was against a smaller man. So to say he would neutralize the power of an opponent who was smaller is not logical when discussing guys who were the best heavyweights.

I think Lewis was a great fighter and I adored him as a champ precisely because he fought all commers. but realistically against an elite puncher, or swarmer (like Tyson or Dempsey) his lack of footwork would get him in trouble...we know that because of what happened, not hypothetically. Oliver mcall is the best example because mcall on his best days packed a mean punch.

I tend to think that guys from Dempsey's era up through to Louis could easily be coached to avoid a big lumbering fighter who could not pack a punch in both hands.

Dempsey weighing in at 190lbs would not last 2 rounds with lewis....ray mercer was 235lbs and built like a tank.....come on billy behave

[GhostofDempsey]

If one considers precident to any degree we find that Lewis lost to smaller men. Even the fight with Ray Mercer, a tough fight for lewis, some thought Mercer won...was against a smaller man. So to say he would neutralize the power of an opponent who was smaller is not logical when discussing guys who were the best heavyweights.

I think Lewis was a great fighter and I adored him as a champ precisely because he fought all commers. but realistically against an elite puncher, or swarmer (like Tyson or Dempsey) his lack of footwork would get him in trouble...we know that because of what happened, not hypothetically. Oliver mcall is the best example because mcall on his best days packed a mean punch.

I tend to think that guys from Dempsey's era up through to Louis could easily be coached to avoid a big lumbering fighter who could not pack a punch in both hands.

As fond as I am of Dempsey, Lewis was no Jess Willard. I can't see Dempsey being competitive against Lewis, who was a better boxer than most give him credit. If he could handle Holyfield, who was a great boxer and 6'2" 235, he could handle Dempsey.

Despite being KO's by McCall and Rahman, he also took some tremendous punches from Holyfield, Vitali, Botha, Tua, Tyson, Briggs, Golota, and several other big heavies.

Now if we are talking on a P4P basis, all things being equal in terms of size, then yes, Dempsey would crush him. As would Joe Louis, Walcott, Charles, Baer, Patterson, Chuvalo, and Frazier.

[The Old LefHook]

As fond as I am of Dempsey, Lewis was no Jess Willard. I can't see Dempsey being competitive against Lewis, who was a better boxer than most give him credit. If he could handle Holyfield, who was a great boxer and 6'2" 235, he could handle Dempsey.

Despite being KO's by McCall and Rahman, he also took some tremendous punches from Holyfield, Vitali, Botha, Tua, Tyson, Briggs, Golota, and several other big heavies.

Now if we are talking on a P4P basis, all things being equal in terms of size, then yes, Dempsey would crush him. As would Joe Louis, Walcott, Charles, Baer, Patterson, Chuvalo, and Frazier.

How does a man with 86 posts get a quintillion points? You must be using PED's.

[billeau2]

Dempsey weighing in at 190lbs would not last 2 rounds with lewis....ray mercer was 235lbs and built like a tank.....come on billy behave

Your making assumptions. Its not about plucking Dempsey from the past necessarily... Put Dempsey presently with more size and a few more pounds if it suits you, or use Tyson, the point is the point. Its not about size per se its about skills and what weaknesses caused consistent problems...Lewis lost twice for the same reasons against inferior fighters.