There is no reason why Vitali should not have finished Lennox Lewis if he is so great. He fought Lennox Lewis at his worst. Lennox was clearly out of shape. Vitali woke Lennox up in the second round but couldn't finish the job. So when Lennox cut open Vitali's face, the fight was going to be over unless Vitali knocked Lennox out. Lennox kept tagging Vitali's eye knowing that the fight would be stopped and Vitali could do nothing about it. After re-watching the fight, I'm shocked at how many times Vitali chose to clinch with Lennox knowing how bad his cut was. Lennox had braids, and having that rub into your cut is nothing but bad news. Vitali is a very good fighter, I just don't think he is as great as people say he is.

Imagine what kind of damage an in shape Lennox Lewis would have inflicted on Vitali.