LONDON – Boxing legend Lennox Lewis has stated that the much-anticipated matchup between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is something that the British public deserves to see. As the last undisputed heavyweight champion hailing from Britain, Lewis is eager to witness a showdown between these two modern British boxing icons before retiring from the sport himself.
Despite being rumored to face each other on several occasions, the fight between Fury and Joshua has yet to materialize. Last year, Fury, with a record of 34-2-1 and 24 knockouts, was defeated twice by Oleksandr Usyk, while Joshua lost to Daniel Dubois in September. In January, Fury announced his latest retirement, once again putting the prospects of the match on hold.
Currently, Tyson Fury remains retired, with only Oleksandr Usyk holding the power to bring him back into the ring. Earlier this month, Fury declared that he plans to return to fight Usyk in 2026. Neither Fury nor Joshua, who has a record of 28-4 with 25 knockouts, have competed this year. Their promoters, Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren, have expressed their desire to see the fight happen, and Lewis believes the British fans deserve that excitement.
Before the Usyk-Dubois fight on Saturday, Lewis was asked if it would be a significant loss to boxing if the Fury-Joshua fight never happened. He responded, “Yes, we need to see that fight. I think they owe it to the British people.”
The Usyk-Dubois contest is set to be a high-stakes battle for undisputed titles, but it remains uncertain if Joshua will attend. Lewis believes Joshua should seize such events to reinvigorate his career and keep himself in the conversation. “I think that’s an opportunity he missed,” Lewis said. “If he wants that fight and if he still feels he has it, he should show up. It really depends on what Joshua wants to prove. If he wants to prove he still has it, he needs to come back and defeat someone who has it. Everyone will be watching the Tyson Fury fight, and I think that’s a good fight for him.”
Fan Take: This fight signifies more than just a bout between two giants; it’s a chance to unify and revive heavyweight boxing in Britain. For fight fans, seeing Fury and Joshua clash could reinvigorate the sport’s popularity and inspire a new generation of boxers.
