Is Lennox Lewis Afraid of The Ukrainian Giant?

By Mike Samuels

10.07 - Lennox Lewis is by far the best heavyweight of the nineties.

It simply can't be argued.

He has beaten the likes of Riddick Bowe (Yeah, he showed how yellow he was, but that's not the fault of Lewis), Ray Mercer, Tony Tucker, James Smith, Frans Botha, Michael Grant, David Tua and the best heavyweight of the late eighties, Mike Tyson

Hey, so what if Tony Tucker and James Smith aren't legends of the game. Who cares if Mike Tyson isn't the animal he once was. Who cares if David Tua is about as dimensional as a quarter. And who cares if it seems like everyone and their friends can beat Frans Botha and Michael Grant. The point is Lennox Lewis has beaten everyone that has been placed in front of him, including avenging his only two losses by stopping a crying McCall in their rematch, and proving that Hasim Rahman was more of a Has-been than a champion.

You can fault a fighter for fighting in a less than impressive era (Especially when he ducks the toughest fights), but Lennox Lewis has beaten all the best heavyweights of the nineties (Mercer, Holyfield twice unless you were blind and somehow saw the first fight a draw, and Mike Tyson). Granted that both Tyson and Holyfield might have been old and warn out, but Lewis wasn't exactly a young buck either. So the battle on whether or not Lewis (Hell, any fighter at that) is really a great champion can go on forever. But anyone with a decent amount of knowledge on the sport won't listen any more.

This is where the fun begins. After Vladimir Klitschko demolished that punching bag a few weeks ago (Wait a minute. I was just informed that he was fighting Ray Mercer! Coulda' fooled me!), he immediately made it clear that next in line he would like to face Lennox Lewis.

What about Chris Byrd? Oh yeah, nobody will fight him. Moving on…

As far as the champions view on a possible fight with Klitschko (And no, I'm not referring to that paper champion John Ruiz), well he doesn't think much of it.

"Vladimir Klitschko - he's not tough enough," Lewis said Monday during a boxing ceremony in London. "It would be a waste of my time to go and fight him - I would knock him out."

Let the outrage begin because I can guarantee that it's about to start - especially from the foreign fan base that has supported Klitschko from the beginning. Everyone in the United States has been crying that Klitschko is just a big promotional deal of the "Next Great White Hype." The people have seen it before and are just waiting to see Klitschko exposed for nothing but a FLUKE. But don't hold your breath because I believe Klitschko is highly skilled and WILL become heavyweight champion of the world before he's finished in the ring. However, I don't see him beating Lewis.

I can already see the Anti-Lewis groupies flooding my mailbox!

But it's the truth. Klitschko hasn't been tested yet. We know he has the skills and power to compete, but does he have the heart? When's the last time he was hit with more than punch, and hit with a punch that was filled with bad intentions? Maybe he has the heart, but what about his corner? As I recall, the first sign of trouble against Mr. Purity and his corner chucked the towel. There are a lot of questions to be answered, but it appears that Klitschko is ready to answer them as long as he gets the opportunity. The only thing is Lennox Lewis feels that he doesn't need to give the opportunity out. He has cemented his legacy after beating one of the only men he cared much about anymore - Mike Tyson.

Looking through the eyes of the champion, what does Lewis have to gain by fighting Klitschko? Do you HONESTLY think that if Lewis beats Klitschko it will add something to his already well-accomplished career? No way. If he loses, well, then I'm sure questions will be asked as to how good he really was. Not to mention that the Tyson fanatics (You know, the fans who make Tito-lovers seem like puppies compared to pit bulls) will have a new range of firepower. They will be able to come back with the stacks of bull crap that they have been spitting since their boy got a well deserved beating. Do I sound like I'm a Lewis lover (I can already picture how many "Go get with Lewis in bed!" E-mails I'll receive, but ah well)? I'm actually more of a Tyson fan than most will believe, but I am not blinded by the reality that Lennox Lewis is the true champion and would beat Mike Tyson 110 times out of a 100, know what I'm saying?

Ever since Klitschko demolished the stationary target that Ray Mercer presented himself as, everyone has been riding his coat tails and proclaiming him as the best heavyweight on the scene. EXCUSE ME while I barf. Yeah, the kid is talented and he WILL be a force very soon, but let's not mistake apples for oranges. I am a bit sympathetic for Klitschko (More so for Chris Byrd, though). The public is waiting for him to test himself against someone REALLY legit, but how can he if the champion of the world refuses to fight him?

That's a tough question. Klitschko already destroyed Byrd, but that's about it for his resume. Well there was Frans Botha, but that's not anything to brag about. Klitschko has EVERYTHING to gain and EVERYTHING to lose in a fight with Lennox Lewis. Wouldn't a Klitschko-McCline fight be promising for right now? Both guys are young and hungry and looking to prove themselves as legit contenders. And both guys are looking to be tested. Sounds like a winner to me (Even though I see Klitschko easily beating McCline).
I admit whole-heartedly that I would be excited as hell to witness a fight between Klitschko and Lewis, but I have to also keep things in perspective. Chris Byrd is more deserving for MANY reasons, and even if you dislike the man's style, that doesn't give anyone the right to discredit his skills. The kid has game. Boxing is all about patience though, and it's something many fans don't have. So only time will tell whether or not some of the big fights everyone would love to see will fall through.

The thing that I laugh at most is the fact that now everyone believes Lennox Lewis is SCARED of Vladimir Klitschko. That is by far the most ignorant opinion I have ever heard in my life. But boxing is an emotional and combative subject, and that always triggers wars between fans, writers, and just every day guys who really know nothing about boxing. Everyone has to get their say in. Let's be honest, though. Scrape away the loads of bull that most promoters and trainers, as well as sponsoring companies, tell you and look at the situation straight up.

WHY would Lewis fear Klitschko? It makes no sense. Lennox Lewis has beaten everyone he has ever faced and has beaten BETTER competition than Klitschko and they both have near the same amount of fights. Lewis is almost two decades older than Klitschko and for once he would like to lay back and enjoy the glory he has achieved with his win over Tyson this past summer. Is that too much to ask? Lewis has done everything the public has asked of him (Sure, his style is somewhat boring, but he is a champion none the less) and it's time that the sharks of the world back off and let the guy bask in his glory. And if Lewis decides that he's done everything HE has wanted too, and after all it is more about him than the fans at this point in his career, then he should be remembered for the things he has done. Sadly, most people will remember him for refusing to fight Klitschko if that case arrives, and that's just one of the negative sides in this sport that cannot be over looked. It's a shame if you ask this writer.

If anything Klitschko should fear Lewis. He is coming off the biggest win of his life. He is filled emotion and he has the best trainer in boxing right now working in his corner. The fight would be great if it happens, but don't expect Lewis to fight Klitschko's fight. The Ukrainian giant has never been thrown angles, and from what he's displayed in his over thirty fights as a professional, he is most effective when he fights moving forward. So there are a lot of holes for Lewis to capitalize on. Now nobody's perfect. Lewis has been caught twice by below par contenders and knocked into la-la-land, but if a fight was put together I would not be able to see Lewis taking Klitschko lightly. After all, did you see the power this guy packs? I sure as hell wouldn't write him off as another Johnny Know-it-all.

Whether or not the big Lewis-Klitschko showdown ever occurs is a question only Lennox Lewis can answer, and he's earned that right, don't you think?

Whoa, I've left out my rant on Chris Byrd! Oh well. I think I'll follow the latest fad. Not only will boxers duck this guy, but writers, too!