Tyson Fury believes the long-discussed fight with Anthony Joshua may never happen. While discussing that possibility, Fury pointed to two heavyweight matchups that also failed to materialize. He mentioned Lennox Lewis against Riddick Bowe. He also brought up Mike Tyson against Bowe as another example.
“I just feel like a lot of these fights that people are looking forward to didn’t happen over history. Do you know what I mean? Like Lennox Lewis and Riddick Bowe never got to fight, did they? Riddick Bowe, Mike Tyson never happened,” said Fury to Secondsout. “Lots of fights didn’t happen that could have been good fights, but hopefully it happens. We’ve got the big dog in the division… Hopefully it happens, but I’ve never ever been sold that that fight happens.”
The comparison overlooks a major distinction. Lennox Lewis established himself against one elite heavyweight after another before the proposed Bowe fight disappeared. His first bout with Evander Holyfield ended in a controversial draw. Lewis won the rematch by unanimous decision. He also defeated Mike Tyson. David Tua fell short against Lewis. Razor Ruddock suffered the same result. Tommy Morrison lost to Lewis. Andrew Golota also came up short. Lewis finished his career by stopping Vitali Klitschko.
Bowe built his reputation in similar fashion. His victory over a prime Holyfield in 1992 remains one of the heavyweight division’s defining championship performances. That version of Bowe possessed the size, inside game, work rate plus durability to trouble any heavyweight from any era.
Fury reached the top through a much thinner schedule. His defining victory came against Wladimir Klitschko, who was 39. The Deontay Wilder trilogy forms the other cornerstone of his resume. Much of the remaining opposition competed at the European level. Christian Hammer belongs in that category. Tom Schwarz fits the description. Francesco Pianeta also falls into that group. Derek Chisora received three opportunities against Fury. Mariusz Wach, now 46, continues the same trend.
Joshua followed a similarly managed route after his Olympic gold medal. His signature victory came against a 41-year-old Klitschko, who nearly stopped him. Andy Ruiz Jr. handed Joshua his first defeat. Oleksandr Usyk beat him twice. Daniel Dubois stopped Joshua in five rounds.
Fury against Joshua remains one of Britain’s biggest commercial attractions. Comparing it with Lewis against Bowe places the rivalry alongside heavyweights who proved themselves through a far deeper level of competition before their own superfight slipped away.
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Last Updated on 2026/07/22 at 11:40 AM
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