Why is Lennox Lewis underrated?

[DamonG]

Hasim Rahman has just KNOCKED OUT Lennox Lewis!!!!

Lewis had it all - size, power, heart, smarts plus he couldn't be intimidated. Yet he rarely features in GOAT lists. Is it because he wasn't an out-and-out blaster? He figured that sometimes it was better to outbox and outthink opponents, rather than go for a KO. Isn't that a sign of his greatness as a fighter?

He's not underrated at all. He is what he is.

The best fighter of his era in a crappy weight division. Not necessarily his fault, but he should've been more aggressive for a guy his size, skill level and punching power, but fought as if he were playing chess, rather than being the Heavyweight champ of the world, ready and willing to mix it up with anybody and knock out all comers, showing no mercy. He didn't do that.

Remember, when Tyson was flattening everybody from '85 to '89, he wasn't facing top notch competition either, but his whole persona in ring as a guy who is there to seek and destroy, rather than play it safe and out-box people is why everybody loved watching him.

[Dirt E Gomez]

Lewis will always be over looked in years to come because of Tyson. Tyson's delusional fans will still be all over his jock disgregarding anybody else was alive in the late 80's early 90's. Lewis, while dominating the division, never had his foil to get the recognition he needed. He was too good in a sense. While Evander was a warrior, and a great fighter, he didn't match up with Lewis. He never had anybody who truly pushed him to his limits, so the spectators are always somewhat wanting more. I hope his legacy grows in time and people realize what a pleasure it was watching him destroy all commers.

[ophqui]

Because of Boxing politics and fighters like Bowe and tyson ducking him Lewis was denied a career making fight until he was well out of his prime. His best win on paper was Holyfield, and he had to beat him twice to get the W. The tyson fight was supposed to be his career definer, but he had to wait until both he and tyson were past their bests before that fight could be made, and it ended up a relatively dull fight. Lewis beat everyone that was put infront of him (including Rahman and Mcall eventually), thats all a fighter can do in my eyes

I disagree with everyone who said it was a dull era for H/W boxing, i think there were more decent boxers, characters and rivalries in the Lewis era than any time before since The likes of Ali. People forget that Holmes was hardly in a competitive fight his whole career, yet he's lauded as one of the greats while Lewis is forgotten.

[leff]

i think the reason he is underrated is because he never was very popular not because he wasnt very good, cause he was very good indeed.

the funny thing is when the tyson nuthuggers say tyson lost cause off his age when lewis is like 1ore 2 years older than tyson.

[tracylee]

Lewis will always be over looked in years to come because of Tyson. Tyson's delusional fans will still be all over his jock disgregarding anybody else was alive in the late 80's early 90's. Lewis, while dominating the division, never had his foil to get the recognition he needed. He was too good in a sense. While Evander was a warrior, and a great fighter, he didn't match up with Lewis. He never had anybody who truly pushed him to his limits, so the spectators are always somewhat wanting more. I hope his legacy grows in time and people realize what a pleasure it was watching him destroy all commers.

Fantastic post Dirt-eeeee....I strongly agree!

[MickyHatton]

Fantastic post Dirt-eeeee....I strongly agree!

Me also well said!

[tracylee]

Me also well said!

yep, you too

[Gemini531]

Lewis is overrated he never fought anyone in their prime worth mentioning victories against holifiled and Tyson are worthless in terms of greatness achieved.

[kapersky]

i think the reason he is underrated is because he never was very popular not because he wasnt very good, cause he was very good indeed.

the funny thing is when the tyson nuthuggers say tyson lost cause off his age when lewis is like 1ore 2 years older than tyson.

i know, but if you cant see that tyson wasent serious from the day he left rooney then something is wrong with you.

[leff]

i know, but if you cant see that tyson wasent serious from the day he left rooney then something is wrong with you.

i do see it, but that aint an excuse.

age,injuries etc are valied excuses but pure lazyness aint.