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1. Klitschko
2. Klitschko
3. Lennox
2. Klitschko
3. Lennox
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Surprisingly, this list doesnt anger me.
I disagree with it in terms of effectiveness in head 2 head matchups but the fact that Liston/Marciano and Schmeling aren't ridiculously overrated...Jack Johnson isnt on the list, and Ali isnt handed number 1 because he said he was the best this isn't a bad list.Comment
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Vitali Klitschko vs Lennox Lewis
THE TRUTH
Vitali took the fight on just 10 days notice.
Vitali was clearly winning the fight 4-2 on all 3 scorecards at the time of the controversial doctor stoppage. Lewis barely survived the 2nd round, he was badly hurt, holding on for dear life, wobbling everywhere and staggering around the ring like a drunk. Lewis was badly hurt several times in the fight and was getting outboxed, outworked, outmuscled and outlanded by Vitali.
punches landed
Vitali 156
Lewis 102
Lewis was exhausted, worn down and hurt from the accumulation of punches and was ready to get KTFO again, he collapsed onto his stool at the end of the 6th round, Vitali was clearly the fresher of the two, he was a man on a mission and would've KO'd Lewis for sure if the fight had continued.
After the fight, Vitali intimidated the shit out of Lewis and made him look like a bitch.
All the fans at Staples Center cheered for Vitali and booed Lewis after the fight.
Lewis promised Vitali a rematch.
Vitali destroyed Kirk Johnson in 2 rounds and called out Lewis again in the post fight interview. The scared Lewis retired shortly after that fight.
Lewis turned down 30 million dollars for a rematch and retired like a coward because he knew he would get destroyed by Vitali.
Vitali dominated Lewis and scared his bitch ass into retirement.
George Foreman: "Vitali was winning the fight. Lewis got lucky. There has to be a rematch!"
Jim Lampley: "A lucky escape for Lewis who was clearly losing the fight"
Even Emanuel Steward was upset and pissed off at Lewis for blatantly ducking a Vitali rematch.
Lewis is scared to death of Vitali.Comment
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Lewis said he was "at the peak of my powers" when he got his ass whooped by Vitali.
Lewis was coming off the KO win over Tyson. In the Lewis-Tyson post fight interview Lewis stated "I'm like fine wine, I get better with age"
In an interview right before the Vitali fight, Lewis said "I'm at the peak of my powers, I will keep fighting for many more years"
Vitali dominated Lewis and scared him into retirement. That's a FACT.Comment
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My top 10 heavies in terms of head 2 head in their primes.
1. Vitali Klitschko- I wouldnt bet on him to lose to anyone. The only issue here is when is his prime? Arreola? Williams? I think his prime started after the Lewis fight...not physically, but after that I think Vitali's confidence grew astronomically and it showed in his next fights.
2. Lewis- Im not a Lennox fan so maybe since I have him this high means that he's possibly number 1. He and the Klitschkos in their prime is very hard to predict, re-arranging my top 3 wouldn't offend me at all.
3. Wlad klitschko- might also be ranked number 1 head 2 head. I think his prime though was a few years after starting to work with Manny, and that version of Klitschko to me might be too passive to beat Vitali or Lewis. Similar to Ali its a catch 22...when he was younger he was better offensively, but had an exposed/questionable chin, as he aged he's slowed down, become smarter and protected his chin more, but he doesnt kill his opponents.
4. Holyfield- I think in his prime he would be able to at worst draw most of the opponents below him if not win. He's hard to place because he has wins over so many great fighters, and losses and hard draws to a lot of guys who i think were better.
5. Bowe- Could be anywhere between 4-7, definitely not top 3. Hard to tell how good he was, really have to use your imagination to determine what he could have done in his 6 month long "prime"
6. Tyson= Hit his prime at 19 years old. He threw away his talent, might not even belong on this list, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say with his strength, size, and power he could have done a lot of damage.
7. Larry Holmes- Great jab, great fighter, don't see him beating many of the people above him, could see him struggle with people below him, still I think somewhere around 7th is appropriate.
8. Ali- His prime to me was in the mid 70's. I dont want to hear about his 4 year lay off etc...He would have been most competitive with the big boys when he was big, slow, and using his brains. He could take a ton of punishment in the mid 70's and I dont see him getting brutally KO'ed by anyone above him, but being very very similar to prime Holyfield.
9. Foreman- Prime 4 Prime he lost to Ali. Can't put him above Ali. He is the type who could give Holyfield, Tyson, Lewis and Wlad issues, but I also see him getting sparked by Tyson and Vitali relatively easily.
10. Frazier- the big punchers would shake him, fights with Holyfield and Holmes would have been incredible, I see him being crushed by the top 3 though.Comment
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Top 10:
Lennox Lewis
Wladimir Klitschko
Vitali Klitschko
Larry Holmes
Cassius Clay
umm...
Foreman? Tyson? Frazier? Holyfield? Bowe? Whatever?Comment
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If we are basing this on h2h:
1. Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali. I could see either beating anyone head to head, the only competition being each other.
3. George Foreman
4. Larry Holmes
5. Evander Holyfield
6. Joe Frazier
7. Lennox Lewis
8. Mike Tyson
9. Sonny Liston
10. Rid**** BoweComment
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