I think that when analyzing a fighter's career, we should do away with "what ifs". I mean, for all eternity, the records will show that he knocked Tyson out, beat Holyfield, Tua, Rahman and Klitschko, among other talented heavyweights. Whether these guys were past their prime, out of shape or what, he still beat them. Lewis is also strong and talented. He's a big heavyweight at 6'5" and 256, but he's pretty fast for his size, has one of the best jabs among heavyweights, quick hands and a debilitating right hand. He had moments of poor concentration but he generally worked very hard and always kept in shape. Lastly, he kept the division alive from the late 90s to early 2000s.

He was the first and so far only unified heavyweight champion this century, he won versions of the heavyweight title three times and beat every man he ever faced. True he lost to two less than great fighters but he did avenge those losses. Other than his chin, which wasn't as bad as some believe, he had all round ability. As has already been said he didn't avoid prime Tyson, when Tyson was at his best Lewis was just starting out as a pro and when Lewis first won a title Tyson was in jail, after that circumstances (losses and so on) prevented them from fighting until they did.

With the power of Foreman and about 90% of Larry Holmes' offensive arsenal, I'd say that if you add to that, his stature, Lennox Lewis lies comfortably in the top six of all-time Heavyweight champions. I have him at number 4, behind ALI, Louis and Holmes.

I don't totally buy into the glass jaw myth because Lennox was knocked out by two of history's hardest punchers. Nearly anyone who caught those shots would have fallen. As for Tyson, He and Lennox are only nine months apart in age, with Lennox being the elder. However, he peaked later than did Tyson.

When Tyson went to jail, Lennox and Evander Holyfield took over the division. When Tyson exited jail, Lennox was ready to fight him but Team-Tyson wanted no part of Lennox. The best of Tyson came about seven years before the prime of Lennox. If both met at prime, I'd pick Lennox to beat him.

Lennox Lewis is a all time great. He had a world class jab, powerful straight right, and was a smart boxer who knew how to capitalise on mistakes. Good feet movement for such a big man, and knew how to fight on the inside when necessary. He is one of the top three heavyweights of the 90s, along with Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson. He beat the top competitors of his era, is the most recent undisputed heavyweight champ.

The 90s was one of the best eras of heavyweight boxing. Had very good boxers, and Lennox Lewis beat them all. He even beat one half of the dominant heavyweight team of this era.

son..he didnt avoid prime tyson...lennox came to prominance in 1992 at the time tyson was in jail...when tyson got out there was a fight planned between the two for the WBC belt in november 1996..tyson refused to fight lennox because he knew lennox would expose him.

Galactus has hit the nail on the head and should get best answer.

R.B. IMO that many would have beaten both of the guys you mentioned.....To many great heavyweights besides these two.

He avenged his losses.. so what? Avenging a loss doesn't make you one up, it just cancels out the original LOSS. The fact was that he lost in his prime. He was NOT a GOAT. And would have had his glass jaw shattered by a prime mike Tyson, which he avoided.