Lewis: Fury has mental edge over AJ
Heavyweight legend Lennox Lewis gives Tyson Fury the mental edge over Anthony Joshua ahead of their all-British showdown in December.
Thirty-three years ago Lennox Lewis defended his WBC belt in Cardiff in the first all-British heavyweight world title fight; He gave his thoughts as Cardiff now plays host to its second 'Battle of Britain' bout as Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua prepare to touch gloves on December 11
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Heavyweight legend Lennox Lewis gives Tyson Fury the mental edge over Anthony Joshua ahead of their all-British showdown in December.
Fury's rivalry with Joshua dates back almost a decade and the heavyweight stars will now fight on December 11 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
"I think it's very important for British history and for the British fans as well," Lewis, the former undisputed heavyweight champion, told Sky Sports .
"This is a unique fight, It's a great fight and it's a fight that everybody's been waiting for."
The boxing legend however was not so forthcoming in calling the result.
"Styles make fights," Lewis said. "And I think this fight is going to make for a good fight because both of them have two different styles.
"I think the fight may go the distance but both of them have knockout power. Anything can happen.
"I think that Tyson's winning on the mental, and on the physical I think it's Anthony Joshua."
Lewis understands better than anyone the significance of a major fight on UK soil, he was one half of history's first all-British heavyweight title fight when he fought Frank Bruno.
Flashback to October 1 1993, as rain hammered down on Cardiff's now-demolished National Stadium, the predecessor of the Principality.
The stormy scene personified the bitter build-up and bad blood between the fighters, setting the stage for 'The Battle of Britain'.
Despite controlling much of the first six rounds, Bruno was stunned in the seventh. A powerful left hook from Lewis stopped him in his tracks, before a barrage of unanswered punches bombarded Bruno and the referee had no other choice but to end the contest and ultimately raise Lewis' glove in triumph.
Now, 33 years later, Cardiff hosts its second pair of Brits hoping to at long last settle their own feud, one that's persisted through nearly a decade of contractual disagreements, verbal sparring and false hopes.
Jeopardy struck over disagreements where the fight would take place, with Joshua's camp adamant it must happen in the UK.
With Wembley all but ruled out due to US broadcasting requirements and New York's Madison Square Garden being considered, eventually Cardiff was selected, echoing the history of Lewis and Bruno.
The Principality Stadium is where Joshua defeated Carlos Takam and Joseph Parker, it also has a retractable roof meaning the weather will not be too much of factor.
It has been a long time in the making. "This fight is finally here and both guys want the fight, and both guys are ready for the fight," Lewis said.
