Lennox Lewis looking for a truce with Anthony Joshua!
After days of the media and fans stoking the flames of his new ‘rivalry’ with Anthony “AJ” Joshua, “The Lion” Lennox Lewis has offered something of a truce.
In a sense, Lewis went to the scene of the crime; social media, to express that he has never held any ill intent toward Joshua in any of his previous social media comments. Whether AJ accepts these sentiments and acts upon them, remains to be seen.
On one hand, it is undeniable that over the last year or so the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world has been critical of how Joshua and his team have moved.
The initial criticisms came in reference to the manner in which Team Joshua were handling their negotiations with Deontay Wilder in 2018. Later, The Lion would suggest that Joshua part ways with his current trainer Rob McCracken.
“He is the first AJ, not the next Lennox Lewis. Like i said, I won’t fall into that trap and be pitted against him.
“He has a watershed moment in his career coming up and all this only serves as a distraction by the media. Notice how they only led with his comments about me?”
On the outside looking in, it’s easy to interpret Lewis’ critiques as offensive and derogatory. However under closer inspection, the suggestions appear to be more constructive in nature.
For one, Lewis never called Joshua out of his name or spoke in any overtly slanderous tones. Second, everything that Lewis suggested were things that he actually did himself while still navigating his own decorated and historic career.
Rather than demean AJ, it appears that the Lion earnestly was trying to provide Anthony Joshua some bread crumbs to lead his professional journey to the best possible outcome.
What’s even more unfortunate in this slippery situation is the fact that at one time it was clear that Lewis and Joshua were not at odds.
No one is saying that they were ever bosom buddies, however, they shared a much greater kinship than they do now. For example, Lewis was present to celebrate with AJ when the UK superstar won his 2012 Olympic gold medal in London.
During his campaign of collecting his four championship belts, Lewis remained congratulatory of the muscle bound boxer.
“AJ has my number if he ever wants to clarify what is being said in the media or show me where I’m wrong about something.
“My doors remain open to him, but just know that disrespect is not the answer to his frustrations. Gotta go catch a flight now. Bless!”
Now, fed up with a situation that he feels has been greatly instigated by outside, unrelated forces Lewis has opted to take the high road.
Whether Joshua takes advantage of the opportunity remains to be seen.
By: Bakari Simpson
