Anybody think a Prime Vitali, would've beaten a Prime Lewis?

[ryanman]

It took a long time before Lewis was recognized as a great champ. Americans just weren't happy to see a Brit champion. Now it's taking even longer for Americans to give Vitali his due. He was whipping Lewis' before and after that cut. Now the excuse is that Lewis was past his prime. LOL

p.s. I'm American and proud of it. Doesn't mean I have to be stupid about it.

He clearly wasn't WHIPPING him.

[El Kabong]

He clearly wasn't WHIPPING him.

...the scorecards say Vitali was up 58-56 in a fight that got stopped in the 6th that's a pretty wide margin, considering

[BIG H]

He clearly wasn't WHIPPING him.

...the scorecards say Vitali was up 58-56 in a fight that got stopped in the 6th that's a pretty wide margin, considering

And reality says that Vitali needed a new face, whilst Lewis hardly had a scratch.

[El Kabong]

Yes close and competitive....a little too much so for Lewis' liking I am sure. Lennox got a little lucky, Vitali was a little unlucky and that was about it. Vitali won over the fans and Lewis got to ride off into the sunset with his legacy intact

What bothers me are the Lewis supporters that act like Lennox was going to win 100% for sure cut or no cut stoppage or no stoppage and they give Vitali less than 0 credit for taking a fight vs THE CHAMP on short notice....but they can never state enough about how Lennox was supposed to fight Kirk Johnson. Vitali was going to fight Cedric Boswell...I mean who really had to step up their game more??

[ninjaspy3]

He clearly wasn't WHIPPING him.

...the scorecards say Vitali was up 58-56 in a fight that got stopped in the 6th that's a pretty wide margin, considering

Please dont insinuate that because of a 2 point lead on the cards that Vitali was "whipping" Lewis. I'm sure we have seen lopsided victories on the cards where very little "whipping" took place.

Despite the cards, the fight was pretty even. Now, if we have beaten this horse enough....

[ryanman]

He clearly wasn't WHIPPING him.

...the scorecards say Vitali was up 58-56 in a fight that got stopped in the 6th that's a pretty wide margin, considering

Come on Lyle, he wasn't whipping him was he? Winning definately, but it was a close competitive fight.

Obviously nobody knows what would have happened had it not been for the cut. I'm of the opinion that Lewis had really started getting to him but thats not to say I think he was on his way to victory or anything. My best guess is that it would have tightened up and both would have seen the final bell and that a good case could have been made for either when it came to scoring. I was gutted for Vitali when it was stopped and I think thats part of the reason that I have a (non-gay) affection for him now.

[BIG H]

Not that the scorcards matter, when somebody has inflicted that much damage, but I think there is a good case that the fight was even after 6 anyway.