David Haye urges Anthony Joshua to copy Lennox Lewis in Andy Ruiz Jr rematch – despite war of words with fellow Brit
DAVID HAYE urged Anthony Joshua to copy Lennox Lewis’ previous tactics in his rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr.
Brit superstar AJ, 30, will get his crack at redemption facing Ruiz on December 7, also 30, for the unified titles after suffering a shock loss in June.
And former two-weight champion Haye believes Joshua should look at how Lewis nullified the power of heavy-hitters David Tua and Mike Tyson – who the heavyweight legend beat.
He told The Times: “He should look at how Lennox Lewis beat a knockout specialist like David Tua in 2000.
“He nullified him. It was the same when he beat Mike Tyson.
“Lennox didn’t engage him up close. It is not the most entertaining style but it’s very effective.”
Lewis suffered upset losses to Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman in his career, but avenged both knockout defeats.
Despite the resemblances to Joshua’s situation, the 54-year-old ex-undisputed champion has been in a war of words with Watford ace AJ.
Lewis claimed Joshua was not “fully prepared” prior to his 25-1 loss to Ruiz on his US debut – but these comments left AJ calling the former champ a “clown”.
Most Read in Boxing
The 6ft 6in Londoner was called “disrespectful” by his retired rival, though clear the air talks were offered to Joshua in a bid to squash the beef.
His promoter, Eddie Hearn, did however take exception to what was being said about his golden boy and said Lewis was “bitter”.
Joshua insisted he and Lewis are “cut from a different cloth” – with the 54-year-old accused of not being able to “appreciate” the younger generation of champions.