Lennox Lewis hits back in war of words with Anthony Joshua after being branded a ‘clown’

LENNOX LEWIS has hit straight back in his war of words with Anthony Joshua after being branded a "clown".

Former heavyweight king Lewis claimed AJ was not "fully prepared" before his shock loss to Andy Ruiz Jr in New York two months ago.

Lewis suffered shock defeats to Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman in his career - both of which were avenged - but questioned whether AJ can do the same.

However, AJ insists he and Lewis are “cut from a different cloth” - with the 53-year-old accused of not being able to “appreciate” the younger generation of champions.

Joshua told : "Lennox is a clown. I don't respect Lennox.

"Me and Lennox are not the same. My legacy is to sit back and enjoy the younger generation coming up, and not to be involved.

“Just to appreciate what it takes to get there. Lennox isn't like that. Me and Lennox are cut from a different cloth."

After his 25-1 upset loss to Ruiz, Joshua admitted a lucrative undisputed showdown with rival Deontay Wilder had caused him to take his eye off the ball.

But such distractions are now out of mind for AJ, with a career defining night waiting in the Middle East at the end of the year.

Joshua said: "I'm not focusing on that any more.

"It was like I was coming to the end of my road already, worrying about undisputed.

"That undisputed stuff? It was right in front of me but it was one of the biggest curses lingering over my head when I was champion."

But Lewis this morning responded to Joshua's claims and said he never had the same problems focusing as the Watford man.

Lewis said: Wow! He’s right! We ARE cut from a different cloth.

"Undisputed wasn’t something I “worried” about. It was something I went after until it was accomplished!

"Disappointed in AJ’s words but I understand that this “jealousy” narrative was only fabricated AFTER I criticised them for Wilder negotiations. All of the sudden I'm a hater."

Joshua rematches Ruiz in Saudi Arabia on December 7 - but the champion insists "real news" about the fight is to come - claiming the fight must be in the US.

However, promoter Eddie Hearn hit back threatening legal action unless the Mexican-American honours his contract.