Lennox Lewis lauds Tyson Fury as ‘the best heavyweight in the world’ and ‘at the top of his game’

‘He is up there in the scope of history’: Lennox Lewis lauds Tyson Fury as ‘the best heavyweight in the world’ and ‘at the top of his game’ after destroying Dillian Whyte – and tips fellow Brit to ‘go for undisputed’ despite retirement claims

Three-time British heavyweight champion of the world Lennox Lewis has said he hopes Tyson Fury does not hang up his gloves after beating Dillian Whyte. 

Fury produced a stunning sixth-round technical knockout via a brutal uppercut to retain his WBC belt and maintain his unbeaten record in the ring. 

Lewis said after Fury’s victory that he was undisputedly the best heavyweight on the planet and hoped Fury would delay his retirement plans for just a little bit longer. 

Tyson Fury beat Dillian Whyte via a TKO to retain his WBC heavyweight belt at Wembley

He said on BT Sport: ‘Fury’s at the top of the game, the best heavyweight in the world. Nothing’s stopping him. 

‘He’s gonna take some time and rest and come back to us. I would understand (if he retires) but I hope he comes back. I doubt (he’ll retire), I think he’ll be back in the ring.’

‘I believe Fury’s going to want to go for undisputed,’ he added.

Lewis went on to talk about the Fury upper-cut that put Whyte on the canvas and brought an abrupt end to the Londoner’s world heavyweight title challenge. 

He added: ‘He always amazes me, it was a great fight for him. At the end, Dillian Whyte didn’t even know what was coming. It was a brilliant upper-cut.’  

The uppercut floored Dillian Whyte and the referee stepped in to give the fight to Tyson Fury

The uppercut floored Dillian Whyte and the referee stepped in to give the fight to Tyson Fury

‘I didn’t think (Whyte going southpaw) would do anything for Fury.

‘Dillian Whyte was squaring up, Fury was moving side-to-side. That opened him up for the uppercut. He was trying to contain Tyson’s jab. Tyson recognised it quickly and threw the uppercut.’

Following his victory over Whyte, following on from his successful bouts with American Deontay Wilder, the noise will now turn to where Fury ranks in the pantheon of heavyweight greats. 

Lennox Lewis great said he hoped Tyson Fury did not go into retirement after this bout

Lennox Lewis great said he hoped Tyson Fury did not go into retirement after this bout

Lewis believes he is ‘up there in the scope in history’. 

He said: ‘He’s definitely up there in the scope of history, no question. He’s undefeated, great fighter, most of his fights are historic. It’s not easy to box a 6’9″ man who fights like that.

‘He can make you miss, very elusive in there. I was concerned the referee was going to stop the fight and disqualify someone but the ref did an excellent job, sorted it out and it worked.’