Tyson Fury believes a long-rumored fight with Anthony Joshua may not happen. While they were discussing that, Fury pointed out two heavyweight matchups that also failed to happen. He mentioned Lennox Lewis against Riddick Bowe. He also brought up Mike Tyson vs. Bowe as another example.
“I feel like a lot of these fights that people are looking forward to have never happened in history. You know what I mean? Like Lennox Lewis and Riddick Bowe never fought, right? Riddick Bowe, Mike Tyson never happened,” said Fury on Secondsout. “A lot of fights haven’t been good fights, but I hope it happens. We have a big dog in the division… I hope it happens, but I’m never sold on that fight happening.”
The average looks for a big difference. Lennox Lewis proved himself against one elite heavyweight after another before the proposed Bowe fight fell through. His first fight with Evander Holyfield ended in a strange place. Lewis won the rematch by unanimous decision. He also defeated Mike Tyson. David Tua was unsuccessful against Lewis. Razor Ruddock got the same result. Tommy Morrison lost to Lewis. Andrew Golota also came up. Lewis ended his career by stopping Vitali Klitschko.
Bowe made a name for himself in the same way. His dominant victory over Holyfield in 1992 remains one of the heavyweight’s defining bouts. That version of Bowe has the size, inner game, work level and toughness to tackle any heavyweight at any time.
Fury made it to the top on a much smaller schedule. His most important victory came against Wladimir Klitschko, who was 39 years old. Deontay Wilder’s trilogy forms another cornerstone of his resume. Most of the remaining opposition parties compete at European level. Christian Hammer is in that category. Tom Schwarz fits the description. Francesco Pianeta falls into that category. Derek Chisora had three chances against the Fury. Mariusz Wach, who is now 46 years old, continues the same practice.
Joshua followed a similarly managed path after his Olympic gold medal. His signature victory came against the 41-year-old Klitschko, who nearly stopped him. Andy Ruiz Jr. gave Joshua his first victory. Oleksandr Usyk beat him twice. Daniel Dubois stopped Joshua in five rounds.
The furor against Joshua remains one of Britain’s biggest commercial attractions. Comparing it to Lewis vs. Bowe puts the rivalry closer to the heavyweights who proved themselves at a much deeper level of competition before their own rivalry slipped away.
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Last updated on 2026/07/22 at 11:40 AM
