Former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis believes Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury owe it to the British public to finally face each other in what would be the biggest heavyweight fight in British boxing history.
Lewis, who was in London for last Saturday night’s undisputed championship between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium, said it would be “a travesty” if the two British heavyweights never fought each other.
“I think everybody’s looking at the Tyson Fury fight for Joshua, and I think that’s a good fight for both guys. We need to see that fight. I think they owe it to the British public,” Lewis said.
The 59-year-old, who became undisputed heavyweight champion when he beat Evander Holyfield in 1999, believes Fury should return to face Joshua rather than pursue a third fight with Usyk.
The Gypsy King,’ a two-time WBC heavyweight champion, announced last week that he would return in 2026 if it meant a third fight with Ukraine’s Usyk. The undefeated Ukrainian (24-0, 15 KOs), who has beaten Fury twice already on points, knocked out Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs) in the fifth round of their rematch.
However, Lewis says Fury should instead come back and fight Joshua.
Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) has not boxed since his crushing defeat to Dubois in September, when he was dramatically knocked out in the fifth round. The former unified world heavyweight champion has made no secret of his desire to finally secure the fight against Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs).
Despite Joshua’s setback against Dubois, Lewis believes Britain’s former unified world heavyweight champion still has plenty to offer the division.
“It depends on what he wants to prove,” Lewis said of Joshua’s return.
“If he wants to prove that he’s still got it, then he’s got to come back and box somebody that’s still about it.”
Joshua says he’s on the comeback trail following elbow surgery after that night at Wembley when Dubois ended his hopes of regaining the world title.
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