I think this was an extremely tough fight for Lewis and Ray is a very tough fighter but...

(a) Lewis still deserved the decision imo. He did enough to win.
(b) Ray was not really on the same level as Lewis and in fact was a poorer boxer than most of the top contenders, even some of the ones he beat!!
(c) Lewis was extremely lazy in this fight as he could be in many others too and it's only for that reason that Ray performed so well and...
(d) Ray fought the best fight of his career and still lost.

Also please note, a man above believed that not only did Ray do enough to beat Lewis, but Holyfield beat him in the 2nd match too. Absolute rot! In no perception of that fight could Holyfield ever be described as "winning" that fight!!

And a quick look at Ray's highlights...

Was getting flogged by Damiani, pulled off a lucky KO.
Was getting flogged by Morrison, pulled off a lucky KO.
Lost to geriatric Holmes, proof of his lack of skills.
Lost to Jesse Fergusson, again proof of his lack of elite level.
Drew with Wilson, another poor performance
Lost to Holy and Lewis as he should, put up a close fight against a shabby Lewis, best career fight but still failed.
KO'd by Klitshko and Briggs as he should have been.
Defeated by Rossy. Not exactly first rate.

I'm sorry I see no HW steamroller.

I see a heavy solid tanker who hits hard and can take a lot of punches. I would consider him maybe in my top 20 if he was very lucky.