Pugilist Specialist - The GOAT HW or smoke and mirrors?
For me, when somebody asks me who is the GOAT HW, my thoughts focus on only 6 fighters and of those I can shortlist 3 of them.
1. Lennox Lewis
2. Wladimir Klitchko
3. Vitali Klitschko
4. Riddick Bowe
5. Evander Holyfield
6. Mike Tyson
For this article I want to focus on The Lion, My pick for the #1 HW, Lennox Lewis.
Post 1994, the champions had to always face tough contenders. Lewis, who was a genuine superheavyweight had to fight some really good fighters
1) Tommy Morrision – Genuine heavyweight with a razor left hook.
2) Donovon Ruddock – Good solid puncher, who gave Tyson tough battle in two fights.
3) Andrew Golota – The foul pole, who gave a hiding to the 260 pound, 6 foot 5 Riddick Bowe.
4) Evander Holyfield – Though a small heavyweight, he was a tough one to beat because of his solid chin.
5) Mike Tyson – Almost washed up, but was still dangerous at times.
6) David Tua – Who can forget his 19 second knockout of John Ruiz and 30 second knockout of Michael Mooorer.
7) Hashim Rahman – The one, who upset Lewis, but got thrased in the rematch. A solid puncher with almost 70% knockouts. Had a 82 inch reach and was a good fighter.
Oliver Mccall – Who knocked out Lewis via TKO, but suffered drug problems. But never seemed to do anything worthwhile in the rematch
9) Shannon Briggs – A young heavyweight during 1994, had decent punching power, stood at 6 foot 4 and weighed 230 plus pounds.
10) Michael Grant – A tall 6 foot 7 boxer with a solid record till he met Lewis.
11) Vitali Klitschko - Never lost more than 2 rounds, never been behind on the scorecards, never suffered a clear loss and never even been off his feet let alone knocked out in a professional boxing match.
12) Ray Mercer - A good solid HW with deceptive skill and a solid chin who shockingly stopped an unbeaten Tommy Morrison in his rise to the top.
Basically, Lewis had atleast 12 solid boxers, 10 of them being former title holders in his resume.
1) Lewis faced two boxers taller than him (Vitali and Michael Grant)
2) Lewis had to fight contenders, who always had a punchers chance (Tommy MOrrison, David Tua, Tyson, and Ruddock)
Tell me how does this man not deserve to be considered the GOAT after these accomplishments?
George Foreman said it best..
"Even at my best.. I don't think I could have ever beaten Lennox Lewis" (a rare moment of honesty from a former HW champ)
And this...
"It is now beyond all doubt... Lennox Lewis is the greatest heavyweight of all time. He is not second anymore... He is right there, at the top!"
I tend to agree!
"Enough with the games mate! Your messing with the Grand Master!"
Lennox Lewis
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