Why does Lewis get a pass for blatantly ducking Vitali rematch?

[Jacobson]

Lewis was 37 when he ducked the Vitali rematch saying he was an old man despite the whole world calling for it.

Meanwhile Usyk is 38 and had no problem giving both Fury and Dubois rematches to satisfy the public, while being the smaller man.

Usyk showing Lewis how a real champion behaves. No dirty tactics in the ring, no ducking outside the ring, no bragging and no excuses.

[famicommander]

Lewis had 44 pro fights and he won his final fight by stoppage. He was under no obligation to give Vitali an unlimited number of shots.

[paulf]

Lewis was nearly 40, ready to retire and never wanted to fight Vitali in the first place. Bowe was the only guy he had left to fight and Bowe was never gonna fight. Tyson, Lewis, Holyfield, etc… that era was ending.

Vitali was just the next guy up back then. He’d quit against Byrd and no one expected much from him…. he was just another guy fighting bums in Germany.

Vitali did better than expected, but time was on his side, not Lewis’.

Looking back later, it’s easy for Klitschko fans to want to see that rematch, but Lewis didn’t owe anyone anything at that point.

[PBR Streetgang]

Not everyone ag a the same or wants the same. Lewis had already lost the fire before that fight. I still remember watching that one live and it was a violent affair.

[NihonJim]

Lewis had a long and celebrated career.

He was past it in the first Vitali fight and was caught off guard by a ringer who at the time was thought to have no heart and just be a big stiff dummy.

Lewis did what great fighters do and found a way to win.

Remember that an unprepared Lewis got sparked by Rahman and Mccall, but an unprepared lewis still manages to force a stoppage on Vitali.

I understand Vitali wanting a rematch but Lewis was within his rights to retire, he realized he just didn't have it anymore.

[Willow The Wisp]

Perhaps if Vitali was a bigger fish, Lennox might have been moved to delay his well deserved retirement.

As it was, however; Vitali was stopped by the two best opponents he ever faced, and his kid brother did ALL the heavy lifting.

[CubanGuyNYC]

Lewis was nearly 40, ready to retire and never wanted to fight Vitali in the first place. Bowe was the only guy he had left to fight and Bowe was never gonna fight. Tyson, Lewis, Holyfield, etc… that era was ending.

Vitali was just the next guy up back then. He’d quit against Byrd and no one expected much from him…. he was just another guy fighting bums in Germany.

Vitali did better than expected, but time was on his side, not Lewis’.

Looking back later, it’s easy for Klitschko fans to want to see that rematch, but Lewis didn’t owe anyone anything at that point.

Close thread.

[QueensburyRules]

Lewis was 37 when he ducked the Vitali rematch saying he was an old man despite the whole world calling for it.

Meanwhile Usyk is 38 and had no problem giving both Fury and Dubois rematches to satisfy the public, while being the smaller man.

Usyk showing Lewis how a real champion behaves. No dirty tactics in the ring, no ducking outside the ring, no bragging and no excuses.

- - Lewie lost a lot of fans. Only soft lads like him.

[STREET CLEANER]

Vitali was a replacement for Kirk Johnson that pulled out of the fight because an injury and the fight was better than expected But at the end Lewis broke Vitali's face even though he was brave enough to want to keep fighting. Vitali lost to Byrd due to some shoulder injury that he decided to quit in the ring and it took some stock away from him.

Lewis retired and never came back, so I do not know how that was a duck?

[TMLT87]

When you're pushing 40 theres no real expectation or obligation to carry on. That applies to Usyk too who honestly could have retired after the first Fury fight with his head held high. I respect Usyk for sticking around, but he is playing with fire doing so. Lennox saw the writing on the wall and got out.