[dkos]

As we all know, both fights ended in inconclusive fashion with Vitali pulling out due to a torn rotator cuff in the Byrd fight, while he was ruled out by a cut against Lewis.

Both fights, also, were put together at late notice; Byrd stepping in at a weeks notice, while Vitali had double that time to prepare for Lewis.

Lewis was a comfortable favourite; Byrd a big underdog.

Lewis was out of shape but matched up to Vitali physically; Byrd was massively outsized.

Lewis was fighting in LA as the home fighter; Byrd had to travel to Germany.

It's generally accepted Lewis took 2 of the 6 rounds against Vitali, and Byrd managed 2 of 9.

Lewis inflicted the damage to force the stoppage; Vitali opted to not carry on against Byrd

---

I'm certain I know what win will be deemed better, but how big do you believe the gap is between them?

 

[Wallet]

Both fights, also, were put together at late notice; Byrd stepping in at a weeks notice, while Vitali had double that time to prepare for Lewis.

Bear in mind that Vitlay was already in training for a fight with Cedric Boswell in the undercard.

And probably wasn't fucked about like Byrd would have been in Germany.

 

[dkos]

Bear in mind that Vitlay was already in training for a fight with Cedric Boswell in the undercard.

And probably wasn't fucked about like Byrd would have been in Germany.

Byrd was also in training for a fight on the same night I believe, although it wasn't part of the undercard in Germany.

 

[Roe]

This is a good question. Lewis will generally get more credit for his win but I think it's a tough one.

I think one of the biggest factors here is the manner of the stoppage. Against Lennox, Vitali was desperate to go on despite his face being in pieces while against Byrd he just quit himself (for whatever reason). Because of that I edge slightly towards Byrd's win being slightly better. But it's very close and there's not much between them. Both were questionable "wins" IMO.

 

[Bryn]

Lewis, I think, and clearly.

 

[O59]

Byrd was losing badly with very little hope of winning until Vitali injured his arm. Lewis punched open a cut and forced a stoppage in a back-and-forth brawl, with the tide gradually turning in Lennox's favor as the fight went on.

I mean, sure, we can cite how Byrd had to travel to Germany and how he was a big underdog, etc. But the manner in which Lewis won in is far more impressive.

 

[JamieC]

I dont think the gap is massive in terms of value of the win, as Byrd was underdog, undersized and had to travel, none of which Lewis had to do, however the fact that Lewis turned the tide and forced a stoppage gets him the nod in my eyes

 

[BUMPY]

Lewis, easily!

 

[Bryn]

For me, the Byrd win was a matter of circumstance and reflects little, if at all, on Byrd's ability or performance. Lewis legitimately pasted Vitali's face until the contest needed to be brought to a halt.

 

[BUMPY]

Lewis would have properly stopped Vitali had that fight continued he was catching him with some sweet shots and as Vitali's vision deteriorated he would have been more and more open. He was a complete mess, Lewis TK06.

 

[dkos]

I would argue that, taking everything into account, Byrd put in a better showing than Lennox. The reason why I pick the Lennox win as being better is simply down to the stoppage being more legitimate, which is where I agree with most of you.

 

[Michael]

Lewis by a country mile, his fight with Vitali could have gone anywhere. He was coming back into the fight in a big way after a rocky start, started holding his ground and landing his own big shots. Personally I feel that Lewis could have stopped Vitali somewhere along the way without the cut.

Byrd was on a hiding to nothing until Vitali got injured, getting dominated.

 

[dkos]

Byrd was on a hiding to nothing until Vitali got injured, getting dominated.

It was actually competitive, with Byrd coming on strong before Vitali pulled out. 'Outworked' is the word I think you're looking for, as he certainly wasn't dominated.

 

[Luf]

I had vitali beating Byrd 5-4 at the time he quit. Very close fight but Vitali was injured.

Lewis just straight up kicked the shit out of him till he was in no fit state to continue.

Lewis was a miles better victory.

 

[Michael]

It was actually competitive, with Byrd coming on strong before Vitali pulled out. 'Outworked' is the word I think you're looking for, as he certainly wasn't dominated.

Cant remember it being all that competitive, haven't watched it in years though. Must give it another watch soon.

 

[Ilesey]

Lewis, clearly.

 

[O59]

Which would you prefer, if you were fighting Vitali Klitschko?

Would you rather inflict enough punishment so that the fight must be stopped or would you rather him suffer an injury whilst you're clearly behind, making him unable to continue?