the lacksadaisical Lewis gets caught at some point and finished off quickly But a focused Lewis is smart enough to respect Foreman's power, jab him, keep the distance to a maximum and accelerate for the kill when the time is right, sometime in the later rounds
I actually think Lewis would have far too much fear of Foreman to be careful. I don't think he'd try and walk a tightrope, I think this'd be over within 4, one way or another.
Gotta say Lewis is just way too pedestrian of footspeed and reaction time to take advantage of being the smarter fighter. Id favour Foreman pretty big here. If Lewis were quicker or a lot more durable, Id start to see the argument, but as it stands, I see Foreman as a pretty big favourite.
:giggle: Contrary to popular opinion, the Lennox that blasted Ruddock and Biggs was a better fighter than the 00s version. I followed Lenox from the beginning and he declined in talent as he got older. The Americans seem to think he got better, but that's only because they ignored him for most of his career just labelling him another british bum..and instead focussing their attentions on Morrison, Bowe and Mercer. Lewis was always better than those guys...even though McCall shocked him. They only wanted to give him credit when he got Manny Stewart as a trainer and beat Holyfield, Golota and Grant. Anyway...... Lewis by late KO. He'd be focussed and a little scared...and this type of Lewis is damned near impossible to beat.
'Fear''s probably the wrong word. Just an anticipation that the guy was too dangerous to mess around with - usually guys with the length or the jab to make Lewis unsure that he could dominate them playing safety first from distance. And regardless, guys with really good jabs usually brought Lewis into a brawl whether he made the tactical choice or not, and Foreman's jab was outstanding. I just see a brawl arising early, basically. And I'd make Lewis favourite to finish it first.
Even though Foreman is the faster starter, the more accomplished finisher, the harder puncher and the more durable fighter? I think Lewis a blend of too sluggish and too fragile to beat Foreman (in all likelihood) but he has some of the tools needed to do it. I wouldnt call his warrior spirit one of them. He nearly lost a brawl with Ray Mercer in the eyes of many (though I didnt see it as close as some).
"Harder puncher" is debatable. I happen to think Lewis hits harder with one punch, but that's me. Foreman hit damned hard...but it was his overall intensity in combination with his hard shots which caused him to register more KOs than Lewis IMO.
I do think Foreman hit harder for one shot (both had a huge single punch) but what isnt in dispute to me, is that Foreman hit harder overall --- meaning he could deliver more evenly distributed punishment from the right or left. At any rate, he was a lot more comfortable in a brawl, IMO, than Lewis. Its a little like comparing their jabs...Foremans was clearly superior to me (nothing of Lewis' is more over-rated than his jab, IMO) but you have to consider Lewis was far more experienced and comfortable with that punch than the prime Foreman.
I'd agree with the overall power assessment and Foreman better in a brawl. However, Lewis is taller, bigger and rangier than Foreman. Foreman wasn't using to fighting such an animal. Lewis matches Foreman for physical strength also. Lewis is also better defensively. I see a very frustrating night for Foreman.
Some fair points, but isnt the only significant size difference about 20lbs in weight on Lewis' side (whether that benefits him is conjecture)? Off-hand, Im pretty sure Lewis is only an inch taller and has maybe 2-3 inches in reach on him.
Either way, Foreman was used to pushing around (literally) fighters that were shorter and/or lighter than him. He wouldn't be able to physically manhandle Lewis and Lennox is better able to keep him at bay with his reach and tie him up in close quarters because of his strength and natural proclivity.
Agredd with that. The thing is, in the whole fight, Foreman may well need nothing more than one or two shots to turn or end the fight, and it isnt a punchers chance because this isnt Tua, or Rahman...its one of the greats.
True, but I honestly see the Rahman KO as an anomally. Lewis had a good chin. The McCall KO was a well orchestrated punch that landed when Lewis was throwing his own sloppy right hand. I felt the fight was stopped too early. Bruno and Vitali (to name just 2) punch harder than McCall and Rahman and Lewis took their punches.
Hes clearly very vulnerable to Foremans power, though. Briggs had him dancing, LOL. One way or anmnther, Lewis has to beat Foreman without getting tagged. Foreman was one of the very best finishers in the game, even if he didnt end Lewis with one punch. To win, Lewis would have to be nearly untouched. I dont think I see it.
