Lennox Lewis claims it would be a ‘travesty’ if Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua never

The often-rumoured fight between the two Brits has been on fight fans’ wishlists for years, but despite Fury and Joshua’s spells as heavyweight world champions, the pair have yet to cross paths in the ring.

Fury, who retired yet again at the start of 2025, has stated that he will be coming out of retirement in 2026 to face Oleksandr Usyk a third time.

However that fight is yet to have been confirmed by anyone other than Fury himself, whilst Joshua is currently sidelined following elbow surgery.

‘The Gypsy King’ last fought in December 2024, in a unanimous decision loss to Usyk, whilst Joshua was stunned at Wembley Stadium in September by then-IBF champion Daniel Dubois.

Matchroom Boxing CEO Frank Smith suggested that Joshua could return towards the end of 2025, whilst boxing’s kingmaker Turki Alalshikh is reportedly keen on seeing the pair finally fighting in 2026.

Lewis feels that after years of a bout between AJ-Fury never materialising, boxing fans in the UK would be hard done by if they never saw the pair exchange blows.

Speaking to The Ring, former WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight champion Lewis shared: “It would be a travesty if they never fight 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.”

In recent weeks Joshua has been linked to fighting YouTuber-turned-cruiserweight Jake Paul, in a bout where the financial benefits will clearly outweigh the sporting merits.

Lewis felt that if Joshua wanted to prove something upon his return to the ring, then he must fight another contender.

He continued: “It really depends on what he wants to prove.

“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.”