Before the cut Lewis was getting hammered

[Klitschko2011]

Who cares? Lewis was old and past his prime and still beat one of the guys who are still ruling the division 5 years later.

Lewis was 37 and was coming off a dominant KO win over Mike Tyson

Vitali is 38 and is still dominating, he came back after a 4 year layoff and destroyed Sam Peter and Juan Carlos Gomez.

[koboy]

Moot! Losing by cuts is a part of boxing, especially one caused by a punch. Get over it.

[Pullcounter]

again: lewis was undertrained and came in the heaviest he has ever been against vitaly... and he still ripped vitaly's face to shreds.

no contest, lewis > vitaly.

[Klitschko2011]

Lennox Lewis interview before the Vitali Klitschko fight.


A great interview, has him saying that he was in great shape before Klitschko fight, and indicates that he put on the extra weight to control Kirk Johnson (a much smaller fighter) in the ring, he also claimed that since Klitschko is taller he must adjust. Another intersting thing is that he claimed he could be in this division as long as he wanted to. And stated that he was "VERY" motivated for this fight. Not to mention made claims of a Roy Jones fight down the line.


http://www.********boxing.com/boxing...-Interview.php
Here are some direct quotes for the fight from Lewis.


Question: Are you much more motivated for this fight than you were for Kirk Johnson?

Lewis: I am much more motivated for this fight against Klitschko. I am more motivated because of his size and because he has been trying to take me to into court to take my title. I am motivated due to the fact that his promoter likes to see his name in the paper. At one time, we tried to make this fight and his promoter was lying to the Klitschko brothers and overpriced himself trying to get extra money. I feel good and confident about the fight and I am ready to go.


Question: Lennox and Emanuel, what changes in training did you have to go through in order to prepare for Klitschko as opposed to Johnson?

Steward: You have two different types of opponents. What I got from Johnson’s comments is that he intended to run when he fought Lewis. He said he was going to try and win the championship with his feet. It is more exciting fighting a guy like Klitschko.

He is too big to be doing any running. You have two guys with tremendous physical strength, and as a result, you are going to have an explosive fight between two big fighters. We just have to adjust to punching up for a change instead of punching down.

A lot of our techniques that we always use to control shorter opponents will not be effective, so we will have to start all over. You cannot get any sparring partners to simulate Klitschko’s style, so we have to go with what we have.

Question: Can you talk about what it took to get this deal done?

Lewis: It took a little coercing by a couple of people. I felt that this was the fight for me and the fight would happen. I needed to sit down with my colleagues and lawyer, and discuss the matter more. We did that and decided this was the best move. I did not want to wait until November for the next fight, or even wait for Johnson to get better. I just wanted to take advantage of the fact that I have been in camp and training, and I am ready to go.


Question: You once said you wanted to eat one Klitschko brother for breakfast and the other for lunch, but Corrie Sanders took one of your meals when he knocked out Wladimir. Which meal is Vitali?

Lewis: Vitali is definitely lunch. I have some kryptonite for the Superman, Roy Jones, for brunch.
Question: What challenges will Klitschko’s awkward style present to you?

Question: How important is it that you had a significant layoff before this fight?

Lewis: This fight really came about at the right time. Before the Tyson fight, I had two fights with Hasim Rahman. One I lost in Africa, and then I had a good training camp and busted him over here. I had a good training camp and took care of Tyson. I earned a well-needed rest. After a year layoff, I still came back feeling good, and it felt natural.

Question: Emanuel, by getting this fight over with, does it bring about a fight with Jones Jr. more quickly?

Steward: If Jones stands up to the plate and does what he has indicated, it looks very realistic for Nov. 15. If not, there always is going to be someone out there for Lewis to fight. I think Jones is a very good possibility, but I want to get Klitschko out of the way.

Question: Are either Tyson or Sanders possible opponents for you down the road?

Lewis: (Silence)…. I think you have your answer.

Steward: Tyson does not want to fight, so how can you fight someone that does not want to fight? We have gone to court to force Tyson to fight. Sanders is not really established as a fighter. His only claim to fame is beating (Wladimir) Klitschko. If the public demands it, maybe we will fight Sanders, but right now, Lewis is focused on fighting only top notch, quality opponents. I do not think Sanders is exciting right now.

Question: Has Johnson lost his opportunity to fight you?

Lewis: Yes.

Question: Do you feel Henry Akinwande gave you any preparation for Klitschko?

Lewis: When I boxed him, he taught me how to do the waltz. I do not think people want to watch me learn that dance step.

Question: How you considered fighting Chris Byrd?

Lewis: You cannot put a lion in there with a bird.

Question: Have you ever taken a fight on this short notice?

Lewis: In my younger days, I took fights on this short of notice. I cannot remember which fights. Because I had an extensive amateur career, it happened that opponents showed up at the last minute. I have to go in there and adapt. This is a different situation. I am a great professional now, and I have learned to adapt and do the things to make fights happen.

Question: Emanuel, how do you tailor your sparring partners to prepare for Klitschko?

Steward: We are going to go with what we have. Lewis has natural talent and experience, and is more effective with taller guys than shorter guys. He has been facing class “A” fighters all of his life. Lennox is a class above what Klitschko is used to. Everything has been favoring Lewis. Emotionally, Klitschko is not going to be as confident as Lewis. I think if Lewis comes out and makes it a tough, physical fight, the fight will not go over five rounds.

Question: Did you learn anything from watching Klitschko in the Byrd fight?

Lewis: Yes, when the tough get going, Klitschko will not be able to take my kind of pressure.

Question: Is Klitschko going to be another bum of the month?

Lewis: No, he is not really a bum of the month. Guys like that are mandatory fights, or guys the public wants me to fight. That is the situation.

Question: What is your opinion of the heavyweight division right now?

Lewis: I could be around for a long time if I choose.

Question: Do you have any fear of looking past this fight?

Lewis: No. I am focused on the fight at hand, just like I was focused on the Johnson fight.

Question: Emanuel, how do you view Klitschko?

Steward: Klitschko is a technical fighter. He has a good jab and fights well for a fighter his size. A lot of guys who are tall bend down to fight, but he stands straight up. He has a good overhand right and is a good fundamental fighter. He is also used to having tall sparring partners, since he sparred with his brother.

Question: How do you feel about fighting in Los Angeles?

Steward: This is a fantastic opportunity. We are excited about it. We have been in Los Angeles on many different occasions and really enjoy it. Being there is different than being in Las Vegas or somewhere else. Celebrities will come out to see the fight, and there is international interest. It is a true heavyweight championship fight and people can come out to see one of the last fights of Lewis’ career.

Question: Both you and Vitali thought you were going to fight in November. Is there a psychological advantage in fighting now for either fighter?

Lewis: I think it is an advantage for me because I am always ready to fight. This came all of a sudden, and he did not expect to fight me.
Question: How much longer would you like to fight?

Lewis: Let me get over this one. I could probably get a Roy Jones fight after this year. Jones said he is a heavyweight. Let him prove it. I think it would be intriguing to the fans and to Jones because he believes he can beat me.

Question: Emanuel, do you think this is going to be a quick fight?

Steward: When Lewis fights physically big guys, who he is threatened by, he is a very aggressive predator. He changes completely like he did against Akinwande, (Andrew) Golota and (Michael) Grant. When Lewis comes out and throwing big punches early, somebody goes down. Lewis is a very accurate puncher, especially for a big man. I do not think Klitschko is a fast enough boxer to dance around the ring, so he is going to have to get involved. I think the fight is going to be over early.

Question: Are you positive Johnson suffered an injury?

Steward: I 100 percent believe Johnson has an injury. Opportunities like this come along very rarely. By him forfeiting this opportunity, he may have forfeited his opportunity to ever fight for the heavyweight championship. I am quite sure he is injured.
__________________

[koboy]

Lennox Lewis interview before the Vitali Klitschko fight.


A great interview, has him saying that he was in great shape before Klitschko fight, and indicates that he put on the extra weight to control Kirk Johnson (a much smaller fighter) in the ring, he also claimed that since Klitschko is taller he must adjust. Another intersting thing is that he claimed he could be in this division as long as he wanted to. And stated that he was "VERY" motivated for this fight. Not to mention made claims of a Roy Jones fight down the line.

And your point? Man, you can't reverse the L in Vitali's resume. Get over it. Vitali lost by a cut caused by a punch, which, if I'm correct, is a legal way to win in Queensbury rules boxing. If a rematch happened, I think it would have been the same result.

Lewis saying he is in the best shape of his life, even if he wasn't, was expected. He was promoting a fight. What did you want him to say? That he was overweight and underestimated Vitali.

GET OVER IT. Vitali lost to Lewis, arguably the best heavyweight of his generation.

[Pullcounter]

And your point? Man, you can't reverse the L in Vitali's resume. Get over it. Vitali lost by a cut caused by a punch, which, if I'm correct, is a legal way to win in Queensbury rules boxing. If a rematch happened, I think it would have been the same result.

Lewis saying he is in the best shape of his life, even if he wasn't, was expected. He was promoting a fight. What did you want him to say? That he was overweight and underestimated Vitali.

GET OVER IT. Vitali lost to Lewis, arguably the best heavyweight of his generation.

exactly!!!

the fact is that lewis came to the fight looking pudgy, weighing the highest he's ever weighed and at the tail end of his career.

vitaly caught lewis at his worst and still got his face turned to hamburger.

give it up K-tards!!!!!

[Klitschko2011]

Vitali was the real winner of that fight, he battered Lewis into retirement, all 20,000 people at staples center cheered for Vitali and boo'd Lewis after the fight.

I lost a lot of respect for Lewis when he retired like a coward.

[NakiFan]

Lewis was 37 and was coming off a dominant KO win over Mike Tyson

Vitali is 38 and is still dominating, he came back after a 4 year layoff and destroyed Sam Peter and Juan Carlos Gomez.

Klitschko2009 you know i like you but i must disagree with your claims on this occasion.

Yes Vitali is 38, and yes he destroyed JCG and sam peter, but let me ask you this.

How would Vitali do, against a PRIME version of himself?

And lets say that, like lewis he came in out of condition and weighing his heaviest.

He would look slow, sluggish and tired, as the fitter, hungrier and stronger version of himself battered him.

This is what heppened to lewis. He came in at the highest weight of his career, clearly his desire had gone and Vitali had the better of him.

Vitali clearly states post match that he saw lewises "lack of conditioning" as an advantage to him, he also says he thought he would have beat lewis over the 12, clearly he didnt have confidence he would ko him.


Please add to the fact that Lewis hadn't fought in a year and clearly underrated vitali (much like he did to mcall and rahman first time round) and the argument that this was a prime lewis that vitali "destroyed" pretty much goes out of the window.

I personally think lewis started to tail off at around 1999, 4 years prior to this fight, he looked good in the meantime because he was fighting lower level of opponents (Tyson lost to danny williams in his next fight)


As I say Klitschko2009 I like you and don't want to argue with you but please have respect for lewis, as i have developed respect for vitali and wladamir.


And as for not coming back, i think this was a response to the boos of the fans in that building, lewis was hated and disrespected by the americans his whole carrer, and this was the final straw.

[Mersey]

Lewis was 37 and was coming off a dominant KO win over Mike Tyson

Vitali is 38 and is still dominating, he came back after a 4 year layoff and destroyed Sam Peter and Juan Carlos Gomez.

Lewis was 37 and coming off a dominant win over a completley shot Mike Tyson. Lewis was on the decline since his fight with Grant.

Vitali is 38 and dominating a division that is known to be one of the worst eras of all time.

[PittyPat]

Please give us an example of Vitali's "stamina problems".

vs Lennox - sluggish after barely a round, puffed out, got caught brutally at will, was hugging just as much towards the end.

vs Sanders - sluggish, ran scared, got caught brutally, puffed out, lucky that Sanders puffed out first.

vs Williams - sluggish, puffed out, lucky that Williams puffed out first.

vs Peter - sluggish, looked puffed out, lucky that Peter was an immobile punching bag.

vs Gomez - sluggish, puffed out, cut again.