What was Tyson vs Lewis in 2002 like at the time for those "in the know"?

[Oliverlogan263]

Hey there! So I've been watching historic fights lately and came across Mike Tyson vs. Lennox Lewis from 2002. Now obviously, I know just how big the names of Lewis and Tyson are, but I am looking for perspective from anyone who was watching as a hardcore fan, or even if you were involved in the fight game in some way.

What was the perception of Mike going into this fight? Did people think this was his last big payday or last world title chance? Did anyone believe that Mike had a chance to win the fight? Or did most people think he was just out there to get a paycheck?

I will just say that he sure took his beating like a man. If he were just out to get a check, he could have quit a million times in that fight, but he stood there getting beat on until he couldn't stand up anymore. round after round. Thoughts?

[WhiteSteve]

Boy, I haven’t seen this since it aired on PPV. I remember being disappointed by Tyson losing, he was my guy growing up. But I was like 23, lmao, I knew his best years were behind him by then.

I still think Tyson had a chance to win, in terms of his age and condition, but the problem, as I remember it, was Lewis was just too long for Mike to deal with.

Tyson would try to get in close and do what he did best, but Lennox would just keep tapping him with these unremarkable jabs every time he got in range. I think Lewis is like 6’6, Tyson is, what, 5’10? The reach advantage was just too much to overcome if Lewis just stayed patient and worked the jab, and he did.

By the later rounds, both of Tyson’s eyes were closing on him, I think he may have been cut too, and he was fighting kind of blind, if I’m remembering right. Lennox opened up at that point and started landing more devastating blows, got a few knockdowns, and I think the ref stopped the fight on one of the standing 8-counts. I’d have to see it again, it’s been two decades, obviously, haha. But that’s how I recall feeling about it.

That was pretty much the end for Iron Mike. But even though it’s an obvious stunt, I really hope Tyson flies that Jake Paul kid’s head through the rings of Saturn, lmao

[handsomelad70]

Six-three-and-one-half James Douglas, a JOURNEYMAN heavyweight, was Tyson's first conqueror because Douglas was big, strong and had an excellent jab, which was the way to beat "Iron Mike "even in Tyson's prime, and Tyson was FAR past it when Lewis lashed him.

[WhiteSteve]

@handsomelad70 Definitely true. I was only 10 or 11 for the Buster fight, more caught up on the Tyson hype train than having any fundamental understanding of the sweet science, haha. I remember being stunned when Tyson lost that one (not that anyone I know saw it live, I think it was in Japan and at some weird hour, we just heard about it the next day), but that’s about right. Tyson’s real weakness is his physical size, he doesn’t have the length most of these heavyweights have. You just can’t trade with him because he’ll send you to the Shadow Realm in short order, hahaha. But if you have the length to keep him at bay with the jab, that’s probably the secret sauce, and probably why I’d take Ali over Tyson in a bout, Tyson’s giving up 5 inches in height and 7 inches in reach.

[handsomelad70]

Plus Ali's jab was non-pareil, as was his foot speed for a giant, and he had a GREAT jaw and recuperative power. However, an 18-21-year-old Tyson, whose body was much manlier at those ages than Ali's, would have knocked out out an 18-21-year-old Ali between Rounds Three and Seven. Ali would have beaten, perhaps destroyed Tyson had they clashed when both were 21 or older and Ali's man strength had caught up to his otherworldly skills.

[Dongie]

I missed it. My dad had passed on memorial day mayc27th. I didn't even hear or notice it.

I do know de k I, I mean Givens ruined his career. He heard so much negativity from every where, all directions. It took him a good 15 years after her to find himself.

[Nikki1989]

Do people really enjoy men in underwear smashing the crap out of each other?

[pethouse]

Those are shorts not underwear, for that tune in toWWE SMACK DOWN!!

[Chazmatazz269]

I frequently mix up this fight with Tyson vs Ruddock, which i also confuse with a fight that never actually happened against Riddick Bowe.
So i want to speak intelligently to your question. I just can’t. Ell oh ell!

[handsomelad70]

Tyson's groupies thought he could beat Lewis, but most honest boxing observers expected the big Brit boy to bop Tyson, which he did.

[Iron_Man]

I saw that fight he lost. He just overtook him Lennox Lewis.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

I don't know, maybe Tyson won?

[AngryCarl]

Overhyped. If you were "in the know" you knew Tyson had two chances of winning: slim and none. And Slim was out of town.