Lennox Lewis has such a strong legacy because he beat everyone who beat him...

[oaklandstephen]

Actually yes he did. He dumped a belt so he wouldn't have to fight Byrd. Byrd was one of the best of his era.

thats some bs. do u really think lewis was afraid of byrd.

[WladIsTheChamp]

thats some bs. do u really think lewis was afraid of byrd.

Not afraid but thought he wasn't worth the risk. He dumped a perfectly good belt to fight a no-belt virtually unknown Kirk Johnson instead of fighting a very well known Byrd who was a former champ.

[WladIsTheChamp]

thats some bs. do u really think lewis was afraid of byrd.

You stated that he didn't duck the best of his era. To me, dumping of a belt is a clear duck. Maybe fear was not a motivation but risk aversion was. Either way, it's a duck.

[musiol]

he didnt duck the best he just fought guys out their prime argubly lost to mercer and holyfield 2,theirs been way to many threads on lennox resume lately am staying out this because holyfields is better imo

[WladIsTheChamp]

he didnt duck the best he just fought guys out their prime argubly lost to mercer and holyfield 2,theirs been way to many threads on lennox resume lately am staying out this because holyfields is better imo

He did duck Byrd and Vitaly.

First, Byrd just came off a win against Holyfield, the guy Lewis arguably lost to in their second fight and who he didn't have an easy time with Holyfield at all. Byrd fought everyone -Vitaly, Wlad, Tua, Holyfield, Ruiz, Golota, list goes on and on. Basically every champ or top contender there was to fight at that time, Byrd fought. Byrd beat Holyfield in December 2002, he became mandatory to fight Lewis. Lewis dropped his belt so he wouldn't have to fight him and scheduled a fight with Kirk Johnson instead. Johnson got injured and Vitaly stepped at the last moment to replace him...

Now here is where the Vitaly duck comes in. Lewis beats Vitaly via doctor stoppage while loosing 4-2 on the official score cards. He promises Vitaly a rematch in the ring, in front of millions. Then calls Vitaly to meet his mother and him. After Lewis' mom meets Vitaly, he calls Vitaly and tells him that there will be no fight. Lewis officially retires and drops all his belts.

Ducks in both cases.

[Pacquiao'd]

true but lewis didnt duck the best of his era

yes he did, he stayed out of the stated until all the good HW's were past prime

[bojangles1987]

And even the losses he had, I know it's a pathetic excuse, but they only happened because Lennox fought half-ass. As obvious by the results of the rematches.