Did Lewis turn pro so late to avoid Tyson?

[sentax]

Lewis who is older than Tyson and could have turned pro as soon as 1984 after the Olympics instead chose to wait it out until 1989 when he was almost 24.

The two of them sparred as teenagers and was it Lewis's fear of having to deal with Tyson that motivated him to hold off on turning pro as long as he could?

[THEFRESHBRAWLER]

Nah tyson was over rated. Lost every big fight he was in

[QueensburyRules]

- - Lewie the typical gangling big man oaf as a young man needed to mature. As it happened Tyson only had one good year left in him, but enough to set records that can never be broken.

Then he was in jail giving Lewie 4 yrs of free reign.

[CharlieStewart]

LoL tyson fanboys are too much. Lennox the only guy accused of aging out a fighter who he was older than

[Mugwump]

This is pretty sketchy to say the least. Sure, Lewis could have turned pro after the LA Olympics in '84. But he would have been very, very young - 19 or 20 - and coming off a quarter final defeat to Shannon Briggs. Not the ideal time to switch to the pros.

The obvious choice would have been to develop his skills, compete for a medal in Seoul and then take the plunge. Especially when you consider that winning Olympic Gold was a pretty big deal back then. And it would certainly put him in an advantageous position as far as choice of promoter, trainer etc.

Besides, Lennox had every reason to believe Tyson would be around for many, many years at the top and in his prime. Certainly no one was predicting that Mike, after his stunning win over Trevor Berbick in 1986 would effectively be washed up if not in 1990 after his defeat to Buster Douglas then certainly when he was sentenced to several years in jail.

[PRINCEKOOL]

Tyrell Biggs is who beat Lennox Lewis in 1984, Lennox Lewis I think still won a Bronze Medal in 1984 Olympics. And of course he stayed amateur so he could win gold in 1988.

Lennox Lewis was Olympic Champion, undisputed heavyweight champion and he also beat every-man he had ever faced in the ring. David Haye even now to this day, can play it down? But deep down, he is probably still offended and fuming that he was beaten by Tony Bellew 'More so in the rematch' because in their first fight? David Haye gained more credit that Tony Bellew, and in losing actually won due to his courage and determination to stay in there while inhibited.

Lennox Lewis is one of the very few boxers to probably lay in bed at night, content knowing? No man dominated or had one over him. It is probably even more satisfying for him, in the way he avenged both his losses 'he basically ended Hasim Rahman's career at elite level, and Oliver Mccall was suffering but 'Lennox Lewis amplified that suffering even more in avenging his loss'.

I see David Haye playing all matey matey with Tony Bellew, which is admirable. But the first fight and beef between them was real, and Tony Bellew masterful really got to David Haye psychologically. 'David Haye was the last fighter who I really supported, and had a deep rapport with! I was devastated when he lost!'...

The point I am trying to make is Lennox Lewis is one of very few boxers to really own everyone he faced. Even Floyd Mayweather deep down, for me? Seemed to have never found the respect he always wanted.

Lennox Lewis, Joe Calzaghe, maybe even Carl Froch 'He was beaten by Andre Ward but he as not demoralized'.

[SheenLantern]

1. No one tries to avoid that kind of payday

2. Tyson was 22 in 89, of course we now know he was about to decline a lot but back then it was safe to assume he had 10 years of prime left. If Lennox was trying to avoid Tyson he did a **** job of it

[Mugwump]

It's a good job PRINCEKOOL reminded me IN HEAVY BOLD that it was, in fact, TYRELL BIGGS, who beat Lewis or I might never have caught the mistake ...

[P4P Forever]

HE beat Bowe in the 88 Olympics, He spared Tyson many years earlier and controlled him after getting smashed in the mouth seconds into sparing. Mike Tyson himself stated he could have (never) beaten Lewis at any point of his career noting huge size difference and Lewis skills. I'm guessing Mike stands @ 5'9'' regardless of what is listed. I stood next to him once when he was being interviewed. I was taller then him, he was much wider, stocky. Lewis wasn't afraid of him.

[P4P Forever]

It's a good job PRINCEKOOL reminded me IN HEAVY BOLD that it was, in fact, TYRELL BIGGS, who beat Lewis or I might never have caught the mistake ...

HaHA Biggs. What a let down. I saw him fight around 86 smoothest HW I have ever seen, not very durable tho. 84 Olympic team was amazing. Main events signed them all, except Henry Tillman who Holyfield beat the crap out of badly, before Tyson got to him and crushed him in 1rd some years later.