Former undisputed heavyweight champion, Lennox Lewis, believes Tyson Fury remains the favourite to defeat Anthony Joshua if the long-awaited all-British showdown finally takes place, citing Fury’s superior movement and technical ability.
Lewis has long backed Fury in a potential clash between the two heavyweight stars, arguing that the former WBC champion possesses the ring craft and elusiveness needed to outclass Joshua.
Despite Joshua’s recent victory over Kristian Prenga, Lewis expressed concerns about the former two-time world champion stepping straight into a blockbuster bout with Fury after a performance that exposed lingering vulnerabilities.
“A virtual novice put him on the ground twice in the first round,” Lewis told Ring Magazine.
“Is that it? Have we seen the last of him? It’s not like he’s his old self.
“Obviously, the situation has turned into a money thing.
“The fight should have happened [years ago], but they want to make the fight and [still] can make some money out of it. You can’t say that either fighter is currently at their best.
“Definitely, Fury is closer, but both are shadows of their former selves. I’d side with Fury; he showed me more in his two fights [Arslanbek Makhmudov, then Wach] than Joshua has recently.
“He boxed a YouTuber [Jake Paul], now boxed a guy who knocked him down twice, and next faces Fury? That’s a big step up.”
Joshua and Fury are scheduled to finally meet in November after both secured confidence-boosting victories in their recent outings.
The highly anticipated heavyweight contest is expected to be staged either in the United Kingdom or the United States.
