Lewis v Ruddock - 15 Years Ago

[Body Puncher]

I remember watching this fight on Sky. The adverts were building up this and the Holyfield defence against Bowe for a few weeks. The winners would then meet each other.

"IT'S HALLOWEEN & SOMETHING NASTY IS GONNA HAPPEN"

I can still hear the plug for the fight. I still wasn't sure how good Lewis was. I knew he could box but wasn't too sure about his chin. I thought Razor early or Lewis points.

Shows how much I know doesn't it!!! Lewis absolutely destroyed Razor in 2 fantastic rounds (66-1 at the bookies) ending his career as a top contender and doing what Tyson couldn't.

A beautiful night.

I 'ope you all 'ave a 'orrible 'alloween.

Well thanks for reminding me I am getting old taansend! :P WOW!! 15 years ago? It does not seem that long, I remember the fight and like most thought Razor would beat Lewis who at the time was not yet thought too highly of. As impressed as I was in that fight with Lennox Lewis I would bet Spicoli Surfs In 'Nawlins a million bucks his face in that fight was nothing compared to the one I had when Lennox Lewis practically decapitated Andrew Golota!!!!! Who at the time was a pretty feared guy in his own right.

When you look back on it Lennox Lewis sure did dominate a lot of highly respected heavyweights of the time. He did not beat them he wiped them away clean. In some aspects when you think about it he dominated the upper tier more then Tyson when Mike was at his best, his opponents were of higher quality. Many of Tysons best wins were guys past their prime.

Ummm, many of Lennox's best wins were guys past their prime also. However, doesn't take anything away from his reign. Just reality. Ruddock was on his way down at the time this fight took place.

Still wish the Lennox -vs- Bowe fight would have happened. That would have been a cracker and dispelled all questions. If Lennox could have fought and beat Bowe his legacy would unquestionably be the best heavyweight since Ali.

I am curious on how you figure Ruddock was on his way out when he faced Lewis, up until that point he had only lost to Tyson. After Lewis he had 1 more loss and that was to Tommy Morrison who at the time was highly thought of. He fought 10 or 11 times after Lewis. So I disagree Ruddock was not a guy on his way to bum street when Lewis Faced him. He was still highly thought of.

When you compare the two resumes and their best wins Lewis has the better resume of the two. When you look at each fighters opponents and the stage of their careers when they beat them Lewis has the more impressive

Mike Tyson- Pinklon Thomas, James Smith, Tony Tucker and Trevor Berbick were his best early wins, good fighters but good fighters for that era only. The mid 1980's may be the worst ever for heavyweight quality ( some argue the current crop is worst)

Tyson beat Holmes after Larry was long past his best and aging. Larry had also came in straight from a 2 year layoff with no warm up bout.

Michael Spinks- I think everyone knows the story on that fight.

That leaves Bruno, Seldon and Botha. The only other guys considered quality at the time they faced each other. In all accounts Botha was winning the fight until he was caught

Tyson melted down in the Holyfield fight, I can not even say Brian Neilson without laughing.

Lennox Lewis- Ruddock, Tucker, Bruno, Razor still a highly ranked fighter at the time and Tucker was not shot.

Tommy Morrison, Ray Mercer, Oliver McCall, Henry Akinwande, Andrew Golota and Shannon Briggs all in a row all ranked and pretty much in ther prime when Lewis beat them. When did Tyson face that many top contenders in a row?

The Holyfield fights, Michael Grant, David Tua, Hasim Rahman (1-1 but Lewis came in the first fight cocky his fault and no excuse for the loss but Hasim is way better then Douglas!!). The he finished up by tossing Tyson into the trash and a brutal bout with Vitaly Klitschko.

I liked Mike Tyson and was a big fan but personally when comparing the two resumes the choice is made for me.
Just my opinion.