However, there was this big 6-6 Cuban amateur champion by the name of Teofilo Stevenson whom Ali challenged to a fight but who declined saying that he would rather stay amateur to serve his native country. But many believed that the other reason was that he was afraid that he would lose to the supremely skilled and fast Ali.
Well anyway, Ali had experience fighting bigger foes and beating them easily using his superior skills, speed, accuracy and ring generalship.
The experience of Lewis on the other hand versus smaller foes was not that impressive. He was kayoed twice by foes no taller than 6-2 ( Hashim rahman and Oliver McCall ) and he had his hardest fights versus another smaller opponent Evander Holyfield whom many believed even won their second fight.
Ali was quantum better than both Rahman and McCall and I dare say, Holyfield who was a slightly bigger version of Sonny Liston and Joe Frazier.
It stands to reason that Ali could also handle Lewis despite spotting him by at least 20 pounds in weight, three inches in height and four inches in reach.
Lewis never faced somebody as quick, durable and highly talented and skilled as Ali in all his amateur and pro career.
But it would be a competitive, entertaining and closely fought fight especially for the first eight to nine rounds. Then Ali's famous stamina and second and even third wind take over.
In a 12 round fight, I favor Ali to win by close but unanimous decision with margins of between four and two points on the official scorecards.
In a 15 round fight, I favor Ali to stop Lewis between the 13th and 15th rounds.
I think Ali would win, with the scorecards at 114 - 115 I think. Ali may start off fast, dancing and jabbing keeping the slower (Though by no means a plodder) Lewis off early on from unloading with his jabs, ' Float like a Butterfly, Sting like a Bee!' But the problem is, Lennox was taller and very good at boxing in his style, and I think would win the middle rounds, round 4 - 8 I think, then Ali, like the resilient champ he is, would come back in rounds 10 - 12, with quick, unpredictable shots like he did against Frazier in Manila, in the later rounds, to close his eye, which forced Eddie Futch to stop the fight in the 14th round. Jabs, straights and uppercuts so stagger Lewis in the 11th and 12th, swinging the judges in his favour, but Lennox would without a doubt put up a great fight, especially in his prime, and would probably push Ali to within one or two rounds of victory. No knockdowns in this fight, though, even though Lennox's chin was a little questionable.
Ali wins this fight. Lewis may have had better skills, but he was knocked out by two guys that had no business being in the ring with him, and Ali was very smart and fast, and would beat Lewis just like he did many other guys that were supposed to be unbeatable.
good question not as simple as it first seems.....i say ali wins through workrate but would have to be very careful....
