Honestly I think the fight was a see saw battle and yes Lewis won the 5th and 6th rounds but that was IT....Vitali won the 1st through the 4th and crushed him in the 2nd and Lewis shot his load in the 6th.

Vitali was cut, he pressed the issue because it was such a bad cut and therefore forced Lennox to do the same. I think that Vitali was maybe a little gased at the 5th round but he got his second wind after Lewis was on the offensive for those 2 rounds.

Had Vitali not been cut I think Lewis would have been more patient because Vitali wouldn't have had the sense of urgency and he would have been a little more patient as well....in that case the fight goes the distance, Lewis either wins or loses a decision and neither guy gets KO'd because the later the fight goes the more cautious they would become.

I think the way it ended was fine. I am not pleased Vitali lost due to a cut but the cut CAUSED the excitement...it caused them to stand and fight as did lewis getting hurt in the 2nd. Now it would have been EXTREMELY difficult had Lewis been the one to get cut like that...

#1 He wouldn't have retired and would have lost more fights if he didn't get in better shape

#2 People would HATE Vitali and not give him any respect at all because he won by cuts

But Lewis retired as champ like Tunney and Rocky before him and people admire Vitali's heart and courage and he showed everyone what he was about in that fight and his last 2.

So things worked out ok