LENNOX LEWIS has voiced his apprehensions that Tyson Fury may lose focus in his pursuit of revenge against Oleksandr Usyk, especially with a major fight against Anthony Joshua on the horizon.

The Saudi Arabian investors are eager to finally see the towering 6ft 9in heavyweight from Morecambe square off against Watford’s 2012 Olympic champion, reigniting their longstanding rivalry.

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The much-anticipated clash, which has experienced failed negotiations twice at the last minute, is set to be a pinnacle of British boxing.

Following Joshua’s recent knockout defeat against Daniel Dubois at Wembley last September, which resulted in Usyk losing his IBF title, Fury expressed his frustration, stating: “That cost me 150 million – the silly c***.”

Whether that amount is in pounds or dollars, it is clear that Joshua could demand a similar figure, valuing this matchup around £300m.

Speculations hint at a deal for two fights, one likely in Riyadh, boxing’s new hub, with a possible rematch in London, potentially bringing the rivalry’s worth to half a billion for a doubleheader.

Instead of pushing for an immediate rematch, Saudi boxing official Turki Alalshikh has allowed Joshua time to recover from his five-round loss while he ponders his opportunity to confront Fury.

Lewis—who was the last undisputed champion before Usyk and is recognized for his ability to rebound from defeats—raised concerns about Fury’s potential distractions caused by the significant financial stakes involved.

In a discussion with SunSport, he remarked, “I believe having that in the back of your mind can be a perilous distraction.”

“My main focus would be to obtain the undisputed championship first, rather than getting sidetracked by anything else.”

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“That would be my chief objective, especially if he finds himself down 1-0.”

“For Fury, winning this fight is crucial, and I completely grasp his mindset.”

‘Horror movie’ trailer for Tyson Fury vs Usyk II released ahead of the fight, fans term it ‘best one yet’

“He is in the moment, but maybe not entirely focused—he is likely to be fully engaged if he concentrates as needed.”

Regardless of the outcome, it appears that a showdown between Fury and Joshua is expected in early 2025, with both fighters potentially entering the ring after back-to-back defeats to the skilled Ukrainian southpaw.

Lewis successfully addressed all the flaws on his remarkable record.

It took nearly three years for him to settle his rivalry with Oliver McCall, he sought a swift rematch with Hasim Rahman through legal avenues, and he dominated Evander Holyfield only eight months after a disputed draw had denied him the undisputed title in his first shot.

Drawing from his extensive experience, he believes that a victory for Fury on Saturday could pave the way for a trilogy with Usyk, but failing to achieve that—especially against AJ—would be seen as a disappointment.

After losing, my immediate thought was to analyze what went wrong, revisit the drawing board, and rectify my mistakes.

Lennox Lewis

He articulated at the WBC convention: “If this culminates in a 1-1 tie, we absolutely need a trilogy.”

“The third fight is essential as it will determine the ultimate victor.”

“Tyson Fury understands the importance of trilogies; after a loss in the first fight, he will strive to win the second and likely pursue a third if he prevails.”

“Although losing a title is unfortunate, this match is still perceived as the undisputed clash by a great number.”

“These two fighters represent the pinnacle of the sport, and while not every championship is on the line, public sentiment will regard the winner as the undisputed champion.”

For Fury to equal the score, he needs to make essential adjustments to implement what seems to be an expansive strategy.

In their initial match, he wasted the first three rounds, showboating and entertaining the audience instead of paying attention.

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From rounds four to seven, The Gypsy King showcased his talent with devastating body shots and uppercuts.

However, when Usyk—whom Fury had previously dismissed with remarks like “an ugly little middleweight sausage”—delivered a powerful left hook right to his nose, Fury’s extraordinary resilience shone through, aiding him in surviving through the ropes, the referee’s count, and the ringing bell.

As the bell rings, we will quickly observe if his first career loss reignites his competitive spirit and if this fresh, unfamiliar challenger mindset has rejuvenated him.

Alternatively, it could also be the case that Usyk’s psychological tactics and relentless pressure have dulled Fury’s competitive edge.

“Fury will awaken on Sunday feeling regretful,” Lewis noted.

Tyson didn’t put in enough effort to secure a win; he allowed too many rounds to slip past, and in the ninth, he sustained a nose injury that likely impeded his breathing.

Lennox Lewis

“Achieving victory in the second match will be even more challenging because he can’t simply replicate the strategy from the initial fight.”

“In the aftermath of a loss, my instincts urged me to dissect my errors, return to the drawing board, and make adjustments.”

“After analyzing the first Holyfield fight, I sought to pinpoint our differences, recognizing that we both possessed the skill and tactical acumen necessary for success.”

“Winning rounds is vital; one must be diligent since you can’t merely dance around and hope to sway the judges.”

“Tyson failed to exert enough effort for a win; he let significant rounds slip away, and in the ninth, a blow to his nose could have impacted his ability to breathe.”

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“This demonstrates that even a single punch can shift the momentum significantly; one strike—perhaps even a body shot—can compel a fighter to take a breather during the round, resulting in judgment favoring the other fighter.

“There are numerous techniques to secure a round: maintaining activity, landing effective punches, applying pressure on the opponent, and employing tactical maneuvers—all of which can leave a positive impression on the judges.”

“There are various strategies to conquer a fight; one can apply pressure on an opponent and advance, or bide time and strike back when they initiate an attack.”

“Fury exhibits exceptional agility, is challenging to corner, and wields a formidable jab. He must capitalize on all his abilities and attributes to achieve victory.”

“When I observed him fooling around during those opening rounds, it indicated to me that he wasn’t taking the fight seriously and was allowing rounds to slip away recklessly.”

If Lewis—now coaching 12-0 light-heavyweight prospect Costas Nanga—were to guide either fighter this Saturday, he knows exactly what counsel he would offer.

For Fury, it would be: “Utilize your skills and strengths, and steer clear of playing games.”

“Approach the fight with such seriousness that your entire focus is on pursuing and achieving victory.”

For Usyk, the advice would be straightforward: “Maintain pressure and limit Fury’s avenues.”

“Leverage that phrase he likes: ‘Tyson, I won’t let you rest.’”

• Tune in to watch Usyk vs Fury Reignited 2 on TNT Sports Box Office. Coverage begins at 4pm on Saturday, December 21. For viewing options, visit tntsports.

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