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LENNOX LEWIS has expressed worries that Tyson Fury may lose his focus on avenging his previous defeat to Oleksandr Usyk due to the highly anticipated fight against Anthony Joshua that is on the horizon.
The investors from Saudi Arabia are eager to finally see the impressive 6ft 9in phenomenon from Morecambe confront the enduring rivalry with Watford’s 2012 Olympic champion.
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The eagerly awaited showdown—marked by failed negotiations on two occasions—would represent the peak of British boxing.
After Joshua’s knockout loss to Daniel Dubois at Wembley last September, which led to Usyk losing the IBF title, Fury voiced his frustration, stating: “That’s cost me 150 million – the silly c***.”
Regardless of the currency, it’s evident that AJ would likely demand a similar amount, estimating the worth of this match around £300m.
Speculations of a two-fight deal also circulate, with one contest planned for Riyadh, boxing’s emerging Mecca, and a possible rematch taking place in London, potentially raising the total value of the rivalry to half a billion.
Instead of demanding an immediate rematch, Saudi boxing representative Turki Alalshikh has allowed Joshua time to recover from the five-round defeat while he awaits his opportunity against Fury.
Lewis—the last undisputed champion prior to Usyk, celebrated for his resilience—voiced concerns that Fury might get distracted by the significant financial incentives involved.
In an interview with SunSport, he remarked, “I think it is a bad distraction to have in your head.”
“My priority would simply be to secure the undisputed championship first, rather than divert my attention elsewhere.”
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“That would be my objective, especially if he is currently down 1-0.”
“For Fury, winning this match is essential, and I am well aware of his mentality.”
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“He’s present, but possibly not fully engaged—he will be completely focused if he invests the necessary effort.”
Regardless of the fight’s outcome, it appears a bout between Fury and Joshua is set for early 2025, with both fighters likely entering this match coming off losses to the skilled Ukrainian southpaw.
Lewis managed to erase any mistakes from his illustrious career.
It took him nearly three years to settle the score with Oliver McCall, and he sought a rapid rematch with Hasim Rahman through legal means, decisively defeating Evander Holyfield only eight months after a contentious draw denied him the undisputed title in his first attempt.
Drawing from unparalleled experience, he is confident that a win for Fury on Saturday could pave the way for a trilogy with Usyk, with failing to secure that including a fight with AJ considered disappointing.
When I woke up after a defeat, my immediate desire was to understand what went wrong, go back to the drawing board, and fix my mistakes.
Lennox Lewis
He stated at the WBC convention: “If it results in a 1-1 draw, a trilogy must happen.”
“The third fight is crucial as the defining battle.”
“Tyson Fury understands the importance of trilogies; having lost the first, he will strive to win the second and will likely seek a third if he’s successful.”
“Despite losing one of the titles, this matchup still stands as the undisputed fight for most.”
“Both of these fighters are at the top of their game; even if not all titles are at stake, public perception will grant champion status to the victor.”
For Fury to turn the tables, he will need to make essential changes to enact a seemingly monumental strategy.
In their first bout, he squandered the initial three rounds, engaging with the crowd instead of concentrating.
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In rounds four to seven, The Gypsy King demonstrated his prowess with body punches and uppercuts that found their mark seamlessly.
However, when Usyk—a competitor he previously dismissed with remarks like “an ugly little middleweight sausage”—landed a solid left hook that connected cleanly with his nose, Fury’s remarkable resilience came into play. He managed to survive by leaning against the ropes, enduring the referee’s count and the bell’s toll.
At the sound of the bell, we will quickly discover whether his initial career loss has reignited his competitive spirit and whether this new, unfamiliar challenger mentality has refreshed him.
Or if Usyk’s mental strategies and relentless pressure have indeed dulled Fury’s competitive fire.
“Fury will wake up on Sunday with a sense of regret,” Lewis remarked.
Tyson didn’t put in enough work to secure a win; he let too many rounds slip away, and in the ninth, he incurred a nose injury that likely hampered his ability to breathe.
Lennox Lewis
“Winning the second bout is going to be even harder because he can’t just do what he did in the first.”
“After a defeat, my natural reaction was to analyze my errors, go back to the drawing board, and improve.”
“Upon revisiting the first Holyfield match, I aimed to identify what we did differently, knowing both of us were capable strategists.”
“Winning individual rounds is crucial; hard work is required, as one cannot merely dance around and expect kindness from the judges.”
“Tyson failed to put in enough effort for a win; he allowed valuable rounds to pass, and in the ninth, a nose strike likely affected his breathing.”
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“This indicates to me that even one punch can carry immense significance; it showed that one shot—perhaps even a body punch—could force a fighter to take a breath during a round, causing them to lose favor with the judges.
“There are many tactics to win rounds: being active, landing solid punches, applying consistent pressure, and being strategic—all of these components can impress judges.”
“There are various approaches to win a fight; one can advance towards the opponent and impose pressure, or adopt a more patient style and counter when they engage.”
“Fury shows admirable agility, is evasive, and has an excellent jab. He must utilize all of his abilities and attributes to secure a win.”
“When I saw him clowning around in those early rounds, it suggested he hadn’t taken the fight seriously and was wasting rounds unnecessarily.”
If Lewis—currently coaching 12-0 light-heavyweight prospect Costas Nanga—were in the corner for either fighter on Saturday, he knows exactly what advice he would offer.
For Fury, the guidance would be: “Make use of your skills and strengths, and avoid goofing off.”
“Approach the fight with such seriousness that your singular focus is on the pursuit of victory.”
For Usyk, the direction would be simple: “Keep applying pressure and cut off the ring.”
“Use that phrase he loves: ‘Tyson, I will not leave you alone’.”
- Watch Usyk v Fury Reignited 2 on TNT Sports Box Office. Coverage starts from 4pm on Saturday 21st December. For viewing options, check out tntsports.
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