Former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis says Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua owe it to the British public to finally go head-to-head in what he calls the biggest heavyweight showdown in UK boxing history.
Speaking from London, where he attended last Saturday’s undisputed title fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium, Lewis said it would be “a travesty” if the two British stars never stepped into the ring together.
“Everyone wants to see Joshua versus Fury — and it’s a great match-up for both men. It’s time we get that fight. They owe the British fans,” said Lewis, who became undisputed champion himself after defeating Evander Holyfield in 1999.
Lewis believes Fury should prioritise a long-awaited clash with Joshua rather than chasing a third bout with Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk. Fury recently hinted he would only return in 2026 if it meant a trilogy fight with Usyk, who has already beaten him twice on points. Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) cemented his dominance by knocking out Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs) in the fifth round of their rematch.
But Lewis sees a different path forward.
“Fury should come back and face Joshua — that’s the fight that needs to happen,” he insisted.
Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs), who hasn’t fought since being stopped by Dubois in the fifth round last September, has made no secret of his desire to finally share the ring with Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs). Following surgery on his elbow, the former unified champion says he’s focused on making a comeback.
Despite his recent loss, Lewis believes Joshua still has something left to prove.
“It’s up to him,” Lewis said. “If Joshua wants to show he’s still got it, then he needs to step in with someone who’s still in the mix.”
Joshua’s return to the ring may well hinge on whether the long-hyped clash with Fury can finally be made — a bout fans have waited years to see.
