Comments Thread For: Seven Degrees of Lennox Lewis: Champ Discusses All

[ChopperRead]

The issue here is the KlitPricks, they always try and somehow paint Vitali's loss as a win.

I'm as big a fan of Vitali as anyone, but he got TKO'd and in my opinion would have been stopped in the next couple of rounds. He might have landed more punches and been winning on the cards, but he fundamentally fcuked up and let Lennox cause that damage to his face which meant he lost.

No amount of keyboard bashing and posturing changes fact and records. Vitali got TKO'd.

Unlucky KlitPricks.

You can stop right there.

Anytime one sees a, "I like the Klitschkos, but......" sentence, you know what is coming is something negative about the Klitschkos.

[madsweeney]

This is the argument that never ends, and every time it's brought up, it goes on and on ... and that's LEWIS'S FAULT.

The fact is, the first fight was inconclusive. Each side has arguments that are valid, which is why this argument is never fully put to rest.

All of which means a REMATCH WAS NEEDED. Had there been one, there would be no argument.

But sadly, LEWIS promised a rematch and then, after dithering for a year, reneged.

And so, unless he comes back, we'll just keep arguing about this issue forever. Neither side will ever give in.

I guess you're right about the rematch should of happening, I just don't blame Lewis for retiring. Dude was 38/39, accomplished everything he wanted, set for life $$ wise and he felt he got a decent win with the TKO. Probably knew he just didn't have it anymore, would you rather see him go on like Toney or Holifield?

[fitefanSHO]

Vitali stated to me that Lennox Lewis was definitely his toughest opponent EVER and Lennox stated to me that Vitali was very difficult to fight and was definitely one of his toughest challengers, someone he had to figure out in the ring. There is a great deal of mutual respect between the two, though I got the sense when I asked them about eachother that Lewis was more inclined than Vitali to hold something back in terms of praise for the other.

[ChopperRead]

I guess you're right about the rematch should of happening, I just don't blame Lewis for retiring. Dude was 38/39, accomplished everything he wanted, set for life $$ wise and he felt he got a decent win with the TKO. Probably knew he just didn't have it anymore, would you rather see him go on like Toney or Holifield?

Lewis came into the fight saying he was in his prime, like fine wine. Then by the end of the fight he was old and shot.

He didn't have to go on like Toney and Holyfield. He still had plenty of time for one more fight to clear the air with Vitali. And he didn't do it, so we are left with an inconclusive result which we will argue over forever.

[ChopperRead]

Vitali stated to me that Lennox Lewis was definitely his toughest opponent EVER and Lennox stated to me that Vitali was very difficult to fight and was definitely one of his toughest challengers, someone he had to figure out in the ring. There is a great deal of mutual respect between the two, though I got the sense when I asked them about eachother that Lewis was more inclined than Vitali to hold something back in terms of praise for the other.

That's because Lennox knows he should have done the rematch. It kills him that he went out with boos ringing in his ears. It's not the way a champion ever wants to leave his sport.

[fitefanSHO]

He left the sport as the unbeaten, undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World. And had just defeated a guy who would go on to become the next best heavyweight in the world, and the better of the brothers K, and Lewis left on the heels of the last great heavyweight championship fight...

IMO, that's the IDEAL way to leave the sport.

(and FYI, I did not say he was undefeated, I said he was unbeaten as the Champion when he retired)

[madsweeney]

Lewis came into the fight saying he was in his prime, like fine wine. Then by the end of the fight he was old and shot.

He didn't have to go on like Toney and Holyfield. He still had plenty of time for one more fight to clear the air with Vitali. And he didn't do it, so we are left with an inconclusive result which we will argue over forever.

Everyone says crap like that. With your logic, Pac should get full credit for his DLH win as he said he felt better than he has in almost 10 years. Same thing Mosley said.

Dude was 38 years old and was heavier than any other fight in his career, his legs were gone and he got tired very quickly...not exactly the definition of prime.

Even if the rematch happened and Vitili won...he would have beat a 40 year old...

[gingeralbino]

Vitali turned a rematch with Lewis down.

[ChopperRead]

Vitali turned a rematch with Lewis down.

Sure he did -- have another drink.

Violet Lewis turned it down.

[gingeralbino]

Sure he did -- have another drink.

Violet Lewis turned it down.

Vitali said so himself