12/22/24
February 05, 2004
Let the fistic arguments begin ...: Heavyweight legend Lennox Lewis is poised to announce his retirement. Where does this gentlemanly master of the manly arts stands in the annals of boxing history? Does he match up with Ali and Louis, or did he benefit from a weaker division?
being British Traitor! /angry Canadian
posted by grum@work at 10:09 AM on February 05, 2004
I remember some TV mouthpiece saying Lewis was "born and raised on the mean streets of Kitchener, ON". Bahahaha. I agree with vito's assessment of his legacy. He was a good champion but didn't have much to fight against in his heavyweight career. I would have loved a rematch with Klitchko, but alas, Lewis hasn't the slightest interest. Of course, his retirement leaves the heavyweight division in shambles, but who cares at this point? Not me.
posted by Succa at 11:04 AM on February 05, 2004
Well he can only fight the buggers they put in front of him. Remember those who defeated him tended to have the favour returned in spectacular fashion in rematches; also don 't forget that he was paid good money by Tyson not to fight him, which suggests that he, at least, considered him to be a class act. Boring bugger though.
posted by Fat Buddha at 12:14 PM on February 05, 2004
He's as British as Greg Rusedski. And as interesting.
posted by JJ at 04:58 AM on February 06, 2004
He didn't exactly go out in style, being battered by Klitschko before the gash over Vitali's eye stopped the fight. He should've done the rematch, beaten Klitschko up to avenge last June, and then called it a career.
posted by dimmykarras at 10:17 AM on February 06, 2004
I like Lennox Lewis. He is a class act and a good technical boxer. I don't really know enough about the game to assess his place in it. His division was definitely weak, and the loss to Hasim Rachman was a terrible loss, on par with Tyson losing to Buster Douglas if you ask me. He did beat everybody else the division had to offer including Holyfield, Tua, Klitchko, and Golota. Those names aren't exactly Ken Norton, Larry Holmes, etc. From my perspective alone I'd put him Top 10 all time Heavyweights as far as the science of boxing goes (but down towards the bottom), he doesn't rank among greatest boxers of all time across divisions, and will be mostly remembered for technical skills, cerebral approach, and being British.