Lennox denies Vitali's claim that his mom told him no rematch: I beat him at my worst

[MastaBlasta]

Lewis would have ruined Vitali had the fight continued and he would have made necessary adjustments had there been a rematch. Lewis is a proven clutch fighter in rematches and Vitali would have been no different.

Those of you who think Vitali would have won the first fight doesnt understand the flow and the momentum of the fight. Vitali had blood pouring and fatigue was definitely kicking in when fight was stopped. That stoppage was actually a blessing because it saved his career.

Lewis was on his way to knocking Vitali the **** out

I agree with all of this. Vitali may have been ahead, but Lewis being behind and in a dogfight brought out the dog in him. He had to dig deep, and he did. The momentum had seriously shifted when the fight was called. Vitali didn't like it, but the medical professionals got it right. That fight needed to be stopped, or the outcome for Vitali would have been much worse.

I was surprised Lewis did not rematch him. That would have paid handsomely, but only an athlete knows when the mind and body are willing or not to continue doing the work to prepare and fight at the top level. Lewis made a decision. I wish he had fought on, but it is definitely his call.

It was a great fight while it lasted ....... Kudos to both!

[Robbie Barrett]

Lewis single handed killed American HW boxing. Americans say the NFL etc killed it are talking bollocks. It was big until Lewis whooped all the US HW. Then the Americans being the sore losers they are began abandoning the sport, they don't like competition.

[JimRaynor]

Lewis did the right thing when he retired. He would've lost the rematch and I think deep down he knew it as well, especially after Vitali demolished Kirk Johnson.

[sleazyfellow]

I think the stoppage is not "controversial" in any way, vitali was cut horribly. Yeah he was winning and taking the fight to Lewis but he just took a hell of a punch and that cut was bad. I wish there would of been a rematch, but oh well.

[MastaBlasta]

If a rematch wouldv'e happened, Lewis would have come in a bit lighter, in shape, sharp, and focused. He was none of those in the first fight, and yet nearly tore Klitschko's eye off, amongst many other impressive jabs and uppercuts. IMO Lewis would have dominated a second fight where he was inshape and focused.

That said, Vitali was impressive in this fight and would have been very compettitive in a rematch. It would have been a war, but I think Lewis would have taken him down properly.

Notable that no one else could handle Vitali, and Lewis did even being out of shape. Says a lot about both of these legends.

I just re-watched the fight ... kudos for big guys not afraid to go to war!

[Fists_of_Fury]

Lewis single handed killed American HW boxing. Americans say the NFL etc killed it are talking bollocks. It was big until Lewis whooped all the US HW. Then the Americans being the sore losers they are began abandoning the sport, they don't like competition.

1776 we kicked your Limey asses. You lost the biggest competition your country had.

[Earl-Hickey]

1776 we kicked your Limey asses. You lost the biggest competition your country had.

You won because Spain, France and Holland bailed your asses out let's be real

[DreamFighter]

1776 we kicked your Limey asses. You lost the biggest competition your country had.

I thought another Lewis Vitali thread was flggin a dead horse but this puts it in the shade.

While we are at it, honourable mention to the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Harold walked all that way north then south and still nearly won both.

[HitmanTommy]

[Marchegiano]

Yeah, as we all know Lennox killed boxing....he fought Mike in 02 and retired after Vitali in his next and final fight.

Wasn't a decade of short, fat, over-the-hill, and under trained HWs challenging the K2 bros who seem to think the world gives a **** what their mother says and refused to fight for an undisputed that came after. Nope, American interest plummeted inside a twelve month span.

****in' mook.