Home Sports News Joshua Receives ‘Step Up’ Charge From Lennox Lewis

Joshua Receives ‘Step Up’ Charge From Lennox Lewis

British heavyweight boxing legend, Lennox Lewis has charged his compatriot, Anthony Olaseni Oluwafemi Joshua to ‘step up,’ by taking on another world class opponent.

 

The former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world declared that the only way ‘AJ’ could be regarded as a true champion is if the Nigerian-born pugilist and London 2012 Olympics gold medalist goes all out against real contenders.

Lewis then challenged Joshua to “act like a champion” amid uncertainty over his next opponent.

Unbeaten Joshua (22-0, 21 KOs) recently missed out on a high-profile fight with American Deontay Wilder after talks reached an impasse.

Though fellow Briton, Tyson Fury has been mooted as a potential future opponent, Lewis says time is running out for Joshua.

Lewis, who was the last undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, has warned Joshua of the perils of dodging big fights.

Lewis said: “Joshua can take his time. He’s champion now. He says he doesn’t want to fight Tyson Fury for a year or so.

“He wants to go around making money. I think that’s going to be a downfall for him.

“He has to stay with it; he can’t be in the background. If he wants to be champion, he has to act like a champion.”

Lewis, 53, was also asked to predict the upcoming clash between Wilder and Fury, who meet in Los Angeles on Dec. 1.

“Deontay has a lot of power,” he added. “Anywhere he hits you, you’re going to be concussed.

“If he can’t knock out Fury, he better be prepared to box. Tyson Fury is fast on his feet, elusive.

“We’ll see if Deontay can catch up with him. I think it’s a terrific match-up, which is how it’s supposed to be.

“Heavyweights are gladiators that want to prove they’re the best against the best.

“In the end, I think Fury will win because of his boxing if it goes the distance. If it’s a short fight, it’s Wilder.”