The last undisputed heavyweight champion, Lennox Lewis, isn’t happy with certain aspects of the division today.
In 2023, WBC Champion Tyson Fury didn’t defend his belt once. Rather, his only outing was a ten-round crossover contest with former MMA star Francis Ngannou.
To the surprise of most, Ngannou knocked Fury down and boxed well, making it to the final scorecards and losing out only on a split decision.
The performance earned him the number 10 spot in the WBC’s heavyweight rankings and another mammoth payday in the form of a fight with Anthony Joshua.
Whilst Lewis, himself a three-time heavyweight champion, doesn’t blame Ngannou for chasing his dream and earning while doing it, he did recently ponder the state of the division in general.
“Ngannou’s fight with Tyson Fury was a spectacle. This fight with AJ is also a spectacle. Hats off to Ngannou for making the most of his opportunities. He’s done nothing wrong. This is just the HW division in the year 2024.”
Ngannou’s fight with @Tyson_Fury was a spectacle. This fight with AJ is also a spectacle. Hats off to Ngannou for making the most of his opportunities. He’s done nothing wrong. This is just the HW division in the year 2024. ????♂️? https://t.co/4z6GMNh9RB
— Lennox Lewis, CBE, CM (@LennoxLewis) January 15, 2024
The heavyweight great then defended his stance, pointing out that Fury’s four-belt fight with Oleksandr Usyk was one he is looking forward to before siding with the big Brit for the win.
“For the record, I’m looking forward to welcoming Fury or Usyk to the Undisputed club. Glad they have decided to chase history. Should be a great fight. A good big un’ beats a good little un’… Advantage Fury.”
For the record, I’m looking forward to welcoming Fury or Usyk to the Undisputed club. Glad they have decided to chase history. ??? Should be a great fight. A good big un’ beats a good little un’… Advantage Fury.
— Lennox Lewis, CBE, CM (@LennoxLewis) January 15, 2024
It was announced yesterday that the undisputed winner may now have an out of a reported rematch clause and instead be pushed to face the winner of Joshua-Ngannou by the boxing businessmen in Saudi.
