Prime Lennox Lewis v 2015 version of Tyson Fury which defeated Wladmir, who wins this fantasy fight?

[shaz619]

Thought this is an interesting match up stylistically, what are your thoughts on how it would go down guys?

 

[shaz619]

[MENTION=491]IMMY69[/MENTION] [MENTION=1080]miandadrules[/MENTION] [MENTION=43583]KingKhanWC[/MENTION] [MENTION=47617]Red Devil[/MENTION] [MENTION=142288]TQ89[/MENTION] [MENTION=396]mani1[/MENTION] [MENTION=94399]Speedster1[/MENTION] [MENTION=16]Amjid Javed[/MENTION] [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] [MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION] [MENTION=2501]Savak[/MENTION]

 

[shaz619]

Tale of the Tape

Fury

6ft 9, reach of 85 inches

Weighed in at 17st 8lb for his fight vs Wladmir

Former undisputed lineal heavyweight champion

Best win: Wladmir

Lewis

6ft 5, reach of 82-84 inches (still disputed)

Weighed in at 17st 11lb for his fight vs Tyson

Former undisputed lineal heavyweight champion

Best win: Holyfield

 

[IMMY69]

[MENTION=491]IMMY69[/MENTION] [MENTION=1080]miandadrules[/MENTION] [MENTION=43583]KingKhanWC[/MENTION] [MENTION=47617]Red Devil[/MENTION] [MENTION=142288]TQ89[/MENTION] [MENTION=396]mani1[/MENTION] [MENTION=94399]Speedster1[/MENTION] [MENTION=16]Amjid Javed[/MENTION] [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] [MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION] [MENTION=2501]Savak[/MENTION]

Lennox Lewis in his prime was a brilliant fighter.
However, he did have a couple of horrendous losses. I suppose that's how it is with heavy weights. You go in to a fight as a big favorite, against an opponent who is not expected to win, get caught with a thunderbolt and boom its lights out. At least he successfully avenged both defeats to McCall and Rehman.

I loved Lennox but the two definitive fights were against aging boxers in Mike Tyson and Hollyfield. Tyson was a shadow of his former self. Also, a fight with Riddick Bowe at his peak never materialised.

He was also behind on the cards to Vitali until the fight was stopped due to a cut.

In terms of talent, I think Lennox had it all but complacency got in the way. He got heavier and slower in the ring and wasn't the same fighter before winning the world title belt.

For me the best Lennox fight was against Donovan Ruddock. Rudock had given Tyson a good fight and was expected to be the next big american heavyweight. Lennox took him apart and finished him in a few rounds.
The hype for that fight was huge with two relatively young heavy weights slugging it out to see who would contend with Bowe for the title.

Domestically, no one could touch Lennox. He convincingly beat Bruno, Mason etc etc etc.

With respect to Tyson Fury, I have to admit I haven't watched all his fights. But judging by what I have seen of him I think he would give Lennox a good fight. Depends on which Lennox turned up.

Lennox paved the way for British Heavyweight Boxing on the world stage and for this alone he should get plenty of credit and hall of fame status.

 

[Robert]

Lewis on points as he is the superior pugilist.

 

[shaz619]

Lennox Lewis in his prime was a brilliant fighter.
However, he did have a couple of horrendous losses. I suppose that's how it is with heavy weights. You go in to a fight as a big favorite, against an opponent who is not expected to win, get caught with a thunderbolt and boom its lights out. At least he successfully avenged both defeats to McCall and Rehman.

I loved Lennox but the two definitive fights were against aging boxers in Mike Tyson and Hollyfield. Tyson was a shadow of his former self. Also, a fight with Riddick Bowe at his peak never materialised.

He was also behind on the cards to Vitali until the fight was stopped due to a cut.

In terms of talent, I think Lennox had it all but complacency got in the way. He got heavier and slower in the ring and wasn't the same fighter before winning the world title belt.

For me the best Lennox fight was against Donovan Ruddock. Rudock had given Tyson a good fight and was expected to be the next big american heavyweight. Lennox took him apart and finished him in a few rounds.
The hype for that fight was huge with two relatively young heavy weights slugging it out to see who would contend with Bowe for the title.

Domestically, no one could touch Lennox. He convincingly beat Bruno, Mason etc etc etc.

With respect to Tyson Fury, I have to admit I haven't watched all his fights. But judging by what I have seen of him I think he would give Lennox a good fight. Depends on which Lennox turned up.

Lennox paved the way for British Heavyweight Boxing on the world stage and for this alone he should get plenty of credit and hall of fame status.

Pretty much agree with everything, I also personally rate Ruddock as his best win but the general consensus seems to favour his performance over Holyfield which is why I listed it as his career defining achievement; Holyfield may have lost a step but was still world class at that point / tricky to defeat and had come off a win over Tyson despite being a massive underdog. Mike was not the fighter he once was at all but still very very dangerous and managed to unify the WBC/WBA HW titles.

I can't find any information online but from the top of my head I think Lewis may have weighed less then 17 stones for his fight against Ruddock? I agree that it was his optimum weight, more speed and lighter on his feet; he always packed a punch regardless but during his championship reign he averaged around 18 stones and he put on more weight after the defeat to Oliver, he was a little too worried about being stopped after that fight I think because a bigger unit can take punches better to an extent especially if you add muscle to your legs; but it did slow him down like you say and his movements were not as swift, he always had an excellent boxing brain though and he used his physical attributes very well.

He deserves his status in the hall of fame and is arguably the best fighter the UK has ever produced, as far as Fury is concerned also agree that he'd give Lewis a really good fight. Tyson is a really big dude himself and a man his size is not supposed to move as well as he does, he's very clever at setting traps; the Lewis who fought Ruddock for me would stop Tyson in the late rounds, but the Lewis past his first defeat to Oliver potentially gets upset over the distance; that version had been getting out-boxed in periods vs the likes of Bruno, Mercer and Holyfield; Fury would use his superior reach advantage, hand and foot speed to upset Lewis.

 

[miandadrules]

I'd go for Lewis in 8.

Lewis struggled with shorter guys that crowded him, such as Mercer, Holyfield, McCall, and even Jackson.

He fared far better against taller fighters that allowed him space to let his punches go.

Fury won't be able to establish his Jab against Lewis, as it just doesn't have the snap and I also don't think he'd have the strength to keep Lewis off him.

 

[shaz619]

Lewis on points as he is the superior pugilist.

Did you enjoy his Olympic win for Canada Robert

 

[shaz619]

I'd go for Lewis in 8.

Lewis struggled with shorter guys that crowded him, such as Mercer, Holyfield, McCall, and even Jackson.

He fared far better against taller fighters that allowed him space to let his punches go.

Fury won't be able to establish his Jab against Lewis, as it just doesn't have the snap and I also don't think he'd have the strength to keep Lewis off him.

Fury is a very good inside fighter as well though, that's overlooked at times; he may not necessarily try and box at range, he doesn't have single punch KO power but when he puts his combinations together and sits on his punches he can hurt you. Lewis would be the favourite regardless but it's a very interesting fight and out of the current HW's he'd have the best chance at causing an upset

 

[miandadrules]

Fury is a very good inside fighter as well though, that's overlooked at times; he may not necessarily try and box at range, he doesn't have single punch KO power but when he puts his combinations together and sits on his punches he can hurt you. Lewis would be the favourite regardless but it's a very interesting fight and out of the current HW's he'd have the best chance at causing an upset

Lewis would be able to open up on him on the inside too, as Fury's larger frame would allow room to Lewis to unload.

Fury just doesn't have the snap. Unlike Klit, who is far more hesitant, Lewis won't be kept at bay by Fury's jab.

 

[shaz619]

Lewis would be able to open up on him on the inside too, as Fury's larger frame would allow room to Lewis to unload.

Fury just doesn't have the snap. Unlike Klit, who is far more hesitant, Lewis won't be kept at bay by Fury's jab.

Wlad may have been hesitant to an extent but he just couldn't deal with Fury's quicker feet and upper body / head movement which caused him problems also because of how big Tyson was, the challenge for Lewis would be to cut the ring in half, do you think it's something he'd do easily? especially if he comes in over 18 stone so he'd be dealing with a man who has the edge in speed and movement plus a longer reach

 

[Robert]

Did you enjoy his Olympic win for Canada Robert

Didn’t watch it, or any Olympics before 2012.

 

[shaz619]

Didn’t watch it, or any Olympics before 2012.

There was no real point then any way tbh especially with regards to the GB Olympic Boxing team, it only began to recieve extensive support and investment after Amir's triumph as a 17 year old when he won the Silver; really helped boost the sport. Post 2004 GB have won more medals in Boxing

 

[TQ89]

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Lennox Lewis all the way. The man had his weaknesses but like floyd he always came up with the correct strategy for each of his opponents and avenged those losses against hashim rahman and oliver mccall like a boss. His ring IQ is unmatched among his peers if you compare from heavyweights after the 70's till now

 

[miandadrules]

Wlad may have been hesitant to an extent but he just couldn't deal with Fury's quicker feet and upper body / head movement which caused him problems also because of how big Tyson was, the challenge for Lewis would be to cut the ring in half, do you think it's something he'd do easily? especially if he comes in over 18 stone so he'd be dealing with a man who has the edge in speed and movement plus a longer reach

I think so. Lewis had quite a varied arsenal for a heavyweight. The only time taller heavyweights have given him problems is when they beat him to the Jab, such as Bruno.

Even if Fury tried to box and move, Lewis has the ability to press him.

That said I'd give a peak Bowe the edge over a peak Lewis, purely based on his superior inside game.

 

[KingKhanWC]

The Fury which beat Klitschko was a beast out of nowhere. Never have I seen any boxer with such a crazed look and determination to take shots and give back double. Lennox would have to knock this Fury out otherwise he would not stop until Lewis was hurt all the way until round 12.

 

[Savak]

Lewis will not be scared to trade unlike Klitschko. Fury does not have the power to knock him out.

 

[shaz619]

The Fury which beat Klitschko was a beast out of nowhere. Never have I seen any boxer with such a crazed look and determination to take shots and give back double. Lennox would have to knock this Fury out otherwise he would not stop until Lewis was hurt all the way until round 12.

True, the power of the human spirit has no limits; his determination and focus was incredible, I've seen very few fighters in a similar situation so calm, this guy was blowing kisses as he entered the ring in germany lmao it wouldn't be easy to keep that Tyson silent and Fury has been caught in the past but he gets back up, he's never phased. I'd agree that a KO is what Lewis would need to take out that Fury, folk still don't take him serious given his personalities but he's a guy who uses his physical attributes very well and has an excellent in-ring IQ, doesn't have single punch power but he can hurt you; Wlad was not trigger shy only due to being hesitant he just got taken to school and had no answer for Fury's traps and movement

 

[shaz619]

[MENTION=491]IMMY69[/MENTION] [MENTION=1080]miandadrules[/MENTION] [MENTION=43583]KingKhanWC[/MENTION] [MENTION=47617]Red Devil[/MENTION] [MENTION=142288]TQ89[/MENTION] [MENTION=396]mani1[/MENTION] [MENTION=94399]Speedster1[/MENTION] [MENTION=16]Amjid Javed[/MENTION] [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] [MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION] [MENTION=2501]Savak[/MENTION]

Following up on a post from [MENTION=43583]KingKhanWC[/MENTION] which concerns these two.

I think it’s a good time to bump this thread and get people’s views, some of my earlier posts are pretty interesting especially on Fury’s in-fighting, we’ve seen more of that during the Wilder trilogy.

In my view it can be tough to compare fighters from different era’s, but I strongly feel that from this gen, I don’t see anyone other then Fury being very competitive with Lewis and his self belief and mental strength is already at the ATG level and on par / compares to Ali’s self belief system.

 

[Robert]

Watched a docu on Sky about Lewis. Including his time in Canada [MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION].

Holyfield was asked who was the hardest puncher he faced. I was expecting him to say Mike Tyson. He said Lewis - because he hands were so huge.

 

[Manunited18]

Lewis would stop Fury in 8

 

[shaz619]

Watched a docu on Sky about Lewis. Including his time in Canada [MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION].

Holyfield was asked who was the hardest puncher he faced. I was expecting him to say Mike Tyson. He said Lewis - because he hands were so huge.

I think I may have watched that a while back Robert, there was a great deal of hostility towards Lewis for representing Canada in the Olympics but he fought under the British flag in the pro’s.

Am not surprised in a way because of Holyfield high intensity/pressure style, accumulative punches can seriously trouble you over the course of a fight compared to a one punch KO.

Personally though, I think Ruddock was Lewis’s best win as Tyson and Holyfield were a bit outside their peak and he didn’t face Bowe who was the one bloke in his peak although that wasn’t entirely Lewis’s fault

 

[shaz619]

Lewis would stop Fury in 8

Interesting prediction. But, I’d trust the incredible recovery powers of Fury, his chin and ATG will power, he survived arguably the biggest puncher of all time (certainly, in the right cross).

Lewis isn’t invincible either. I think this would go the distance to as both men have sound defence.

 

[IMMY69]

Interesting prediction. But, I’d trust the incredible recovery powers of Fury, his chin and ATG will power, he survived arguably the biggest puncher of all time (certainly, in the right cross).

Lewis isn’t invincible either. I think this would go the distance to as both men have sound defence.

I agree.
Its been what 4.5 years since this thread was started and I have to say I have changed my views on Fury during this time. The fight will be a lot closer then what I had initially predicted.
Fury is as good on inside as he is on the outside but what sets him apart (other then obvious boxing talent) is his heart and never die attitude.
Peak Lewis Vs Peak Fury = 60/50 or even 50/50.

 

[Savak]

I would like to see Fury with his Kronk style more before giving my verdict.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Following up on a post from [MENTION=43583]KingKhanWC[/MENTION] which concerns these two.

I think it’s a good time to bump this thread and get people’s views, some of my earlier posts are pretty interesting especially on Fury’s in-fighting, we’ve seen more of that during the Wilder trilogy.

In my view it can be tough to compare fighters from different era’s, but I strongly feel that from this gen, I don’t see anyone other then Fury being very competitive with Lewis and his self belief and mental strength is already at the ATG level and on par / compares to Ali’s self belief system.

It would be a fascinating fight between arguably the two best British HW's in history.

Firstly both are huge huge men.

Lennox was around 6'5 and upto 18 stone. Fury is 6'9 and also 18 stone +.

In Fury's favour he has the movement, not many HW's have the footwork and general movement Fury he has, making him very hard to hit esp when is moving in a defensive manner.

Lennox has the strong base, can fight both on the back foot and pushing forward. Lennox had immense timing esp inside, I used be at awe with his uppercuts in this postion being a tall fighter. He finished off Justin Fortune with a 3 triple right hand uppercut, while Fortune was the smaller fighter.

Lennox also has a far superiour CV, he has beaten a number of Hall of Famers.

It would be a close fight, both will get hurt at some point. But if I had to pick it would be Lennox . I think he will be stronger than Fury, his defence would be spot on and his shots would carry enough power to hurt Fury. Of course any HW can KO the other but Lennox imo takes shot better too.

Fury is a great fighter, not taking anything from his great success. But if he fought in the Lennox , Tyson, Holyfield, Bowe etc era im not sure he would be HW champion. If Lewis fought now , 100% unified champ.

 

[shaz619]

It would be a fascinating fight between arguably the two best British HW's in history.

Firstly both are huge huge men.

Lennox was around 6'5 and upto 18 stone. Fury is 6'9 and also 18 stone +.

In Fury's favour he has the movement, not many HW's have the footwork and general movement Fury he has, making him very hard to hit esp when is moving in a defensive manner.

Lennox has the strong base, can fight both on the back foot and pushing forward. Lennox had immense timing esp inside, I used be at awe with his uppercuts in this postion being a tall fighter. He finished off Justin Fortune with a 3 triple right hand uppercut, while Fortune was the smaller fighter.

Lennox also has a far superiour CV, he has beaten a number of Hall of Famers.

It would be a close fight, both will get hurt at some point. But if I had to pick it would be Lennox . I think he will be stronger than Fury, his defence would be spot on and his shots would carry enough power to hurt Fury. Of course any HW can KO the other but Lennox imo takes shot better too.

Fury is a great fighter, not taking anything from his great success. But if he fought in the Lennox , Tyson, Holyfield, Bowe etc era im not sure he would be HW champion. If Lewis fought now , 100% unified champ.

Lewis has a tremendous resume but it’s also a consequence of the time period he fought in while Fury had to repair the division post Klitschko era, having said that; some of his signature wins came against guys who were arguably outside their top form to an extent and it was unfortunate the Bowe fight didn’t materialise, on the other hand the competition is a little inferior overall on Fury’s list but the wins over Wlad who was the unbeaten lineal champ for 11 years and Wilder x3 who was regarded as the second best HW after him is immensely credible given the stature of those guys in their best championship status.

Personally, I have no doubt Fury would have a serious chance at being world/unified champion in that era; the likes of Bruce Seldon, Frank Bruno, McCall and Tyson past his peak all became champion despite some obvious obstacles or flaws. But when I go back and compare fighters style for style, I see Fury giving all the top HW’s serious problems and Lewis to me would stand out as the one fighter who’d potentially have the capability to mitigate Fury’s high ring IQ with his own technical ability / match his physicality but it’s not so straight forward for me to call this one, but the one thing which Fury would have over him without a doubt, is his shear belief and will power in and out the ring, it can do wonders in the ring, we’ve seen it in the golden era when you had guys like Norton who pushed the greatest to hell and back

 

[shaz619]

I agree.
Its been what 4.5 years since this thread was started and I have to say I have changed my views on Fury during this time. The fight will be a lot closer then what I had initially predicted.
Fury is as good on inside as he is on the outside but what sets him apart (other then obvious boxing talent) is his heart and never die attitude.
Peak Lewis Vs Peak Fury = 60/50 or even 50/50.

Very interesting to read the posts from that period, time goes fast. I agree with you, at their best it’s a highly captivating fight.

What do you consider as Lewis’s peak with Fury as his opponent in mind, the one lighter on his feet / more explosive with his offence from early in his career or the Lewis fighting out of the Kronx gym under Emanuel Steward?

 

[KingKhanWC]

Lewis has a tremendous resume but it’s also a consequence of the time period he fought in while Fury had to repair the division post Klitschko era, having said that; some of his signature wins came against guys who were arguably outside their top form to an extent and it was unfortunate the Bowe fight didn’t materialise, on the other hand the competition is a little inferior overall on Fury’s list but the wins over Wlad who was the unbeaten lineal champ for 11 years and Wilder x3 who was regarded as the second best HW after him is immensely credible given the stature of those guys in their best championship status.

Personally, I have no doubt Fury would have a serious chance at being world/unified champion in that era; the likes of Bruce Seldon, Frank Bruno, McCall and Tyson past his peak all became champion despite some obvious obstacles or flaws. But when I go back and compare fighters style for style, I see Fury giving all the top HW’s serious problems and Lewis to me would stand out as the one fighter who’d potentially have the capability to mitigate Fury’s high ring IQ with his own technical ability / match his physicality but it’s not so straight forward for me to call this one, but the one thing which Fury would have over him without a doubt, is his shear belief and will power in and out the ring, it can do wonders in the ring, we’ve seen it in the golden era when you had guys like Norton who pushed the greatest to hell and back

Its tough to compare eras but in HW its possibly easier than any other sport. The issue for me is Fury has beaten an old Wlad and bust up Wilder 3 times, all great victories. Would Wilder even get anywhere near a title shot in the 90's? Poweful but he isnt a boxer at all, sometimes very embarrasing the way he throws his shots.

Usyk is the best opponent for Fury, a convincing win over a proper boxer is what he needs to cement his legacy as one of the very best. One I thing I can agree upon is the utter will power, fight and crazy mind of Fury is similar to the boxer he was named after. This mental attidude in the fight sepates the good boxers to the great boxers. You may be right Fury may up his levels when he fights better oppostion. I still would go with Lewis if I had to pick but it would be a great fight.

Dillian Whyte is a decent fighter but I cant see him defeating Tyson.

 

[shaz619]

Its tough to compare eras but in HW its possibly easier than any other sport. The issue for me is Fury has beaten an old Wlad and bust up Wilder 3 times, all great victories. Would Wilder even get anywhere near a title shot in the 90's? Poweful but he isnt a boxer at all, sometimes very embarrasing the way he throws his shots.

Usyk is the best opponent for Fury, a convincing win over a proper boxer is what he needs to cement his legacy as one of the very best. One I thing I can agree upon is the utter will power, fight and crazy mind of Fury is similar to the boxer he was named after. This mental attidude in the fight sepates the good boxers to the great boxers. You may be right Fury may up his levels when he fights better oppostion. I still would go with Lewis if I had to pick but it would be a great fight.

Dillian Whyte is a decent fighter but I cant see him defeating Tyson.

If Wlad fought him a few years earlier it wouldn’t have been a different result, Wlad avoided him for a while until Fury forced the mandatory position. Wlad did as well as he could have, don’t forget it was in his own backyard to and he was a reigning / unbeaten lineal champion - what elevates that win further is how well Wladmir performed against AJ, in that fight Wladmir was even older and worse - inactive for 2 years! and he almost beat AJ in his top form were it not for some bad corner advice from Vitali.

As for Wilder’s competitiveness in the 90’s, outside Bowe, Holyfield, Tyson and Lewis there were plenty of weaker alphabet champions, I don’t doubt he’d be a top contender, out of those names he’d have a strong chance against Bowe who wasn’t the best at controlling fighters with his jab and was bit more open defensively, Wilder has limited boxing ability but a great chin, heart, an under rated jab and one hell of a right cross, you’d expect Mike to take advantage of his lack of inside game but at that point Mike wasn’t really using Cus’s peak a boo style and went head hunting, barely moving his head or trained well enough with a poor corner, if it went past 6 he’d be in trouble. Lewis you’d expect him to win 90% of the time but he had a suspect chin and stopped by guys like Hashim Rahman and Oliver McCall so there’s a punchers chance there at least, but I don’t see him beating Holyfield at all due to his lack of ability to box off the back foot and Holyfield’s inside game. But then there were other champions like Bruno, Seldon, Francesco Damiani, Ray Mercer and even Shannon Briggs. Despite Wilder’s poor technique he’d be in with a serious shot against these guys, despite his lack of technique he has been superior boxers in his career with Luis Ortiz being one of the high profile ones and despite losing to Fury, still dropped him multiple times but he will be looked at a bit differently now as that aura of invincibility isn’t there, I’d still see him butchering AJ though - which is why they will never make that fight.

You’d expect Fury to beat Whyte 9/10 but it’s a potential banana skin because Fury knows he could box his head off and for that reason, if he came into camp out of shape it could negate his footwork, especially if he’s as heavy as he was against Wilder 3 and fought that way it could be a difficult night if they go toe to toe due to Whyte’s excellent body punching and looping left hook, we’ve seen Fury have a difficult fight when it’s expected to be a walk in the park and part of that is probably his lack of respect for the contender’s pedigree and he often raises his game when it’s demanded against a higher calibre opponent or when the odds are stacked against him in and out of the ring.

Usyk is very gifted technically with a very high ring IQ, arguably he is more rounded as a fighter then Holyfield was at CW, while he has beaten AJ, I still want to see how he handles the rematch but without a doubt, he is the biggest threat in the division but also a mention for Joe Joyce and Hrgovic