“Lennox Lewis is a better boxer than Tyson Fury”

It’s difficult to separate the skills and accomplishments of two of Britain’s all-time greatest heavyweights, Lennox Lewis and Tyson Fury.

But that’s exactly what talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan and Spencer Oliver tried to do on the latest episode of talkBOXING, as they debated who would win between a top-notch Tyson Fury and a first-class Lennox Lewis.

Lewis was the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, and although he suffered two losses on his professional record, he avenged both losses before retiring with victories over legends like Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield.

Meanwhile, Fury has never been undisputed, but he has held all four heavyweight belts at one point or another and is currently undefeated, with wins over Deontay Wilder and Wladimir Klitschko to his tally.

As for who would win if both men were in the prime of their respective careers, Oliver tips The Gypsy King, as he said: “Prime Tyson Fury. I just think he’s got the size and reach and he’d do well against Lennox.

“It’s a great fight, it’s one of those where Lennox Lewis is an incredible boxer but I just think Fury would have the tools and style to beat Lennox.”

Jordan disagreed as he replied: “I understand your point and will always bow down to the boxer in the situation you are in.

“But I’ve seen Lennox go around the world, I’ve seen him win and lose fights, I’ve seen him adapt styles, I’ve seen him do everything to improve the fighters before him to hit because he’s a pugilist, he thinks things through…

“I think he has the size to fit Tyson Fury so he doesn’t get leaned on or bullied, he has the adaptability because he can fight in different ways.

“He’s got the engine and the only person who really gave Lennox Lewis any trouble was when he fell asleep against Oliver McCall and wasn’t ready for Hasim Rahman.

“But I think Prime, Lennox turned on…has the toolkit to match Tyson Fury in terms of engine, boxing IQ, movement, durability and size and I think Lennox Lewis is actually a better boxer than Tyson.

“And being the best, game focused, motivated lion he’s been, I think he’d beat Tyson Fury on points, I don’t think he’d KO him.”

Oliver had the last word as he said: “Fury would keep it within reach and he has a great boxing IQ too.

“He would stay behind his jab and tie Lennox inside, but he might have to weather some storms.”

Ultimately, we’ll never know who would win, but both men can be ranked as the top two British heavyweights of all time, no matter which order you rank them.