Lewis and Wladimir were both absolutely elite fighters. Olympic gold medallists, undisputed professional world champions with multiple defences and superb career records.

This is a good talking point question, much like debating who was better between Marciano and Dempsey or whoever.

For my money, the Vitali fight isn't relevant as a Wlad v Lennox fight would have been completely different.

Vitali was as hard as nails, and bigger than Wlad, but he could be outboxed. As a matter of fact, I do believe that Lennox retired rather than fight him again .... but so what? Ali never gave Foreman a rematch, Marciano never faced Patterson etc etc and nobodyvreally thinks the worse of them.

As two boxer/puncher types, I think Lewis and Wladimir would have been in a very very cagey contest, feeling each other out and maybe even heartening back to their amateur days in looking to score points rather than risk a knockout. Both guys could hit, both were brave and fit usually.

Both were also accused of being great athletes rather than natural fighters, and both were somewhat transformed by Manny Stewart ..... whoever had him in their corner would probably win a tight, quite boring points decision.