Lennox Lewis Needs Wladimir Klitschko

By Ross Enamait - RossBoxing.com

02.07 - Lennox Lewis lived with the shadow of Mike Tyson looming over his shoulder. Lewis so desperately wanted to be remembered among the great heavyweights but had yet to defeat the media magnet Mike Tyson. Going into their recent bout, Lewis claimed a victory would cement his spot as the dominant heavyweight of this era. Unfortunately, the Mike Tyson that faced Lennox Lewis was not the old Iron Mike that Lewis needed to fortify his supremacy.

Lewis beat a different Mike Tyson, one who has been inactive, far past his prime. This victory did little to the stock of Lennox Lewis. The victory may look good on paper ten years from now but does little with the fight still fresh in our minds. Tyson was lethargic, displaying little if any of his previous offensive dominance.

So what does this mean to Lewis who has hinted at retirement, suggesting he has accomplished enough to be remembered as one of the greatest? It would mean that Lewis was already considered a great one. His victory over Tyson did little if anything to prove his greatness.

I believe Lewis is a great boxer with a solid jab and powerful right hand. I'm just not convinced that his name belongs with those like Muhammad Ali. I've heard his name as high as the top 5 of all time in recent weeks. Rather than bicker back and forth, I suggest we look at the facts?

Lennox Lewis started his professional career in 1989. He began blowing through no name opponents. Eventually, he was matched with more game adversaries such as Razor Ruddock in 1992, and Tony Tucker and Frank Bruno in 1993. These guys were more recognized names but far from all time contenders. Following the victory with Bruno, Lewis was matched with Oliver McCall in 1994. Lewis was hit with a vicious shot in round 2 sending him to the canvas. The fight was over as was his chance at rising to the top of the heavyweight division.

Lewis rebounded by stopping guys like Lionel Butler and Tommy Morrison. In 1996, Lewis faced off with Ray Mercer. The two put on an entertaining fight that went to the scorecards. Lewis was named the winner despite many who believed Mercer had done enough for victory. Following this fight, Lewis avenged his loss to McCall but this time against a man who entered the ring distraught from an apparent dose of drugs? Once again, not the type of victory to enshrine Lewis amongst the greats.

Lewis then beat Andrew Golota and Shannon Briggs impressively. These victories were captured with explosive punching power. Lewis then went on to fight Evander Holyfield twice. The first fight was declared a draw despite the consensus that Lewis had won the fight easily. In the sequel, Lewis won again. These were perhaps the biggest victories for Lennox Lewis, as Holyfield will be remembered as one of the greatest warriors in boxing.

Lewis then beat the inexperienced Michael Grant, Francois Botha, and David Tua. His victory over Tua led to a match with Hasim Rahman. Lewis came into this bout out of shape. He appeared to have overlooked the hard punching Rahman who eventually scored a viscous knockout in round five. Lewis then went on to return the favor to Rahman in the rematch.

So where does this leave us after his match with Rahman and then Tyson? Surely, Lennox Lewis has proved his worth and skills among many accomplished heavyweights. He has been described as one of the new "super" heavyweights as he stands 6 feet 6 inches and weighs around 250 pounds. He claims to be able to adapt and defeat any style in boxing. He has proven this on numerous occasions to quality opponents.

Yet, with all of his victories, I cannot shake the knockout defeats to Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman. Surely, many of the greats have been knocked out and came back to recapture their crown. These losses however were different. They were not losses to an arch nemesis, rather opponents that he seemed to neglect and overlook.

So you ask, what should Lennox Lewis do to prove his legitimacy? I will answer with the following? First, Lewis has proved his legitimacy as a very good heavyweight. I still however do not believe he is one of the greatest of all time. How many of you think he could have beaten a Mike Tyson in his prime? If you are having a hard time answering this one, I suggest you put in an old tape of Tyson. Have you EVER seen Lewis display this kind of dominance in the ring? I haven't.

Back to the answering the previous question? Lennox Lewis needs to prove that he is the best in the world. His victory over Mike Tyson accomplished little. I recently watched a guy by the name of Wladimir Klitschko dominate a tough, veteran Ray Mercer. Klitschko demonstrated speed, power, and mobility. Tommy Brooks is even bold enough to compare his speed to that of Mike Tyson. I'm not sure if it compares to the early Mike Tyson but nonetheless the point it made.

Another important feature of Klitschko is his massive size. Finally, we have a man for Lewis who can match size and strength. Lewis cannot simply rely on size rather he must outbox Klitschko if he wants a victory. Lewis faced a big man in Michael Grant but Grant lacked the experience for a true
test. Klitschko on the other hand has the experience. He has a solid amateur background that includes a gold medal.

Klitschko wants this fight. The fans want this fight. Lennox Lewis needs this fight to truly prove his greatness. He must fight a man at his peak rather than Mike Tyson who is ten years past his prime or Michael Grant who has not yet reached his prime.

Lennox Lewis needs to fight a fellow big man with equal skills to see if his name should truly be remembered as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. Lennox Lewis needs Wladimir Klitschko.