Why did Lewis turn down over 20 million dollars for a rematch with Vitali Klitschko??

[Thread Stealer]

Lewis should have fought on and faced Chris Byrd.

they could have fought over the ownership of who really is Quitali's daddy.

The guy who made him quit, or the out of shape old guy who tore Brittley's face to shreds and made him cry like Scott Tenorman.

[-Antonio-]

Two more rounds and Lewis would have collapsed from exhaustion. Two more rounds and Vitali's eye wouldnt have been salvagable. Let alone his lip which was torn to pieces it self from a Lewis uppercut.

[Rosseboi]

Perhaps Lewis did the right thing leaving when he did; a boxer generally knows when its his time.

However in missing this rematch Lewis destroyed the solidarity of his legacy - the fact we're all still arguing a good 5 years later proves this. The rematch question will dog lewis' legacy through all time.....

[kayjay]

Klitschko could have continued (he was in better shape after 6 than Lewis was!), but credit to Lewis for managing to win when he wasn't the better man.

As for no rematch? It was clear he wasn't going to win, and he didn't need to fight anymore.

There's nothing wrong with knowing when it's your time

[Thread Stealer]

Perhaps Lewis did the right thing leaving when he did; a boxer generally knows when its his time.

However in missing this rematch Lewis destroyed the solidarity of his legacy - the fact we're all still arguing a good 5 years later proves this. The rematch question will dog lewis' legacy through all time.....

It doesn't dog Ali's legacy that he never gave Shavers or Young a rematch, nor Norton a 4th fight.

It doesn't dog Sanchez's legacy that he avoided Pedroza.

It doesn't dog Holmes's legacy that he never gave rematches to Norton or Witherspoon.

Why should Lummox be any different?

[Rosseboi]

It doesn't dog Ali's legacy that he never gave Shavers or Young a rematch, nor Norton a 4th fight.

It doesn't dog Sanchez's legacy that he avoided Pedroza.

It doesn't dog Holmes's legacy that he never gave rematches to Norton or Witherspoon.

Why should Lummox be any different?

I think this will hang over Lewis' legacy for time because fans are dvided which they weren't really with the above.

However quitchko was a pratt because if he had stayed & solidified his status it would have further added weight this whole argument instead he has constantly let his fans down. I lost my faith after the McCline incident.

[Thread Stealer]

I think this will hang over Lewis' legacy for time because fans are dvided which they weren't really with the above.

However quitchko was a pratt because if he had stayed & solidified his status it would have further added weight this whole argument instead he has constantly let his fans down. I lost my faith after the McCline incident.

Why weren't fans divided?

Those decisions I named were legitimately controversial, unlike Lewis's win over Vitali.

They should all be held against them in their legacies, or not held against them.

Not only for Lewis but not for Holmes.

[-Swizzy-]

I'll tell you why...Lennox Lewis cowardly turned down over 20 million for a rematch because he is scared to death of Vitali Klitschko and he knew he would've gotten knocked out cold in the rematch. VITALI RETIRED LEWIS.

maybe, but you can't blame Lewis. He, like alot of other boxers, wanted to retire with the least amount of brain damage as possible. And I doubt he would get 20 million for the rematch. That fight was a good draw, not a great draw. Lewis is smart, he saw himself beginning on the down hill, and before he could lose a couple of fights to prove to himself that he is too old, he retired. That is smart.

[Rosseboi]

A controversial decision isn't really the same as knowing when a fighter is superior / inferior. Everyone knew Ali's greatness win or lose but people forget up until Lewis beat both Holyfield & Tyson he still wasn't widely respected - only after he beat those two - who were well past their primes - was he universally recognized.

The irony of this whole scenario though is that both Holyfeild & Tyson were far past their primes when lewis 'beat' them & though Lewis was criminally robbed in the 1st match with Holy(a blemish on his record that the sports governing board should really remove) he was soundly beaten in the rematch but given the 'W' because of the 1st fight! And that was by an old Holy!

Lewis leaves people with more questions that answers to be honest hence why this whole Klitchko debacle will never die.

[Derranged]

WLAD OWNS, this thread is ******. Fans like you really give Klitschko fans a bad name.

As to why Lewis turned down a rematch, maybe he was scared. Maybe he just wasnt motivated anymore, and/or realized that he had already cemented his legacy, and didnt need the fight or the money. Or maybe he has uncontrollable diarreha that interfered with his training! Point is, nobody knows for sure why he didnt take the fight. This thread is pathetic. Vitali is retired, and his reputation has been damaged beyond repair. Get over it.