Fury will be ready for Wilder showdown, claims Lewis

Lennox Lewis is in little doubt Tyson Fury will be ready to fight Deontay Wilder and sounded out a warning to Anthony Joshua ahead of his showdown with Alexander Povetkin.

Former heavyweight champion Fury has fought just twice since November 2015 but is set to face WBC champion Wilder in his next outing.

The American was in attendance for Fury's points victory over Francesco Pianeta this month, joining his rival in the ring after the result was announced before the two camps later claimed a fight will happen between the pair before the end of the year.

Despite Fury's limited action, Lewis believes he can again prove his doubters wrong after upsetting former heavyweight king Wladimir Klitschko almost three years ago.

"You know, Tyson Fury is always ready," said Lewis, who was promoting 'Undisputed: An evening with Lennox Lewis', which takes place at the O2 Arena on September 6.

"I felt he wasn't ready for the Klitschko fight but he surprised me, I didn't think he was going to reach for that fight but he came to win.

"He's making all the right moves, losing some weight, he's still got the speed and still got the movement."

Joshua had been in negotiations to fight Wilder before talks stalled but many are still tipping them to meet next year, provided they come through their respective clashes with Povetkin and Fury.

But Lewis urged Joshua - who is unbeaten as a pro - not to overlook the danger posed by his next opponent.

"I think people will automatically assume that's the way it should go, but there's other people make the decision and they get to choose," he added.

"It's very dangerous to overlook opponents, Povetkin's been there a while and throws a good shot.

"He knocked out David Price so he's got the leverage and power to do so. AJ better take him seriously because it can change history."