‘Missed opportunity’ – Anthony Joshua warned he MUST show up to Usyk vs Dubois if he still wants fight with Tyson Fury

LENNOX LEWIS reckons Anthony Joshua should show up to the battle of Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois and shut up his doubters.

The 35-year-old London 2012 legend has been outpointed twice by the 38-year-old Ukraine icon and knocked spark out by the 27-year-old IBF champ.

GettyAnthony Joshua has not fought since being beaten by Daniel Dubois[/caption]

GettyLennos Lewis has claimed AJ should be at Dubois’ clash against Oleksandr Usyk[/caption]

ReutersThe two heavyweights will fight at Wembley on Saturday[/caption]

The Watford warrior has maintained a dignified silence since that September shellacking, but loudmouth promoter Eddie Hearn has been promising a sensational return.

Tonight – under the same Wembley arch beneath which DDD demolished AJ – only the 36-year-old Gypsy King’s name is on the VIP ringside guestlist.

And, when asked if Finchley’s two-time world champ – who has so far failed to fight Fury and Deontay Wilder – should make the short trip across West London, the 59-year-old said: “It depends what he wants to prove.

“If he wants to prove he’s still got it, then he has to come back and box someone who still has it.

“Everyone is looking at the Tyson Fury fight and I think that’s a good fight for him.

“We need to see that fight, I think they owe it to the British public.

“I think it’s a missed opportunity Joshua not being at ringside, he should show up if he wants to fight and he feels he’s still got it.”

Lewis’ iconic career was inspired by the unlikely figure of his mum Violet.

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It was she who successfully ordered her boy to retire after the 2003 claret-soaked win over Vitali Klitschko, when the rest of the blood-thirsty world was crying for a rematch.

And the British ring legend recognises the unshakable bond Dubois shares with father Stan, who has homeschooled his son and keeps a tight grip on his career.

“You’ve got to keep your superpowers with you,” the icon said.

“If your father is in the corner, that’s added strength.

“And you need all your strength, especially going for this fight.

“It’s the biggest fight of his career so he has to sacrifice everything and make sure his team is strong.

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“His dad being there, his team is strong.”

After a young and inexperienced Dubois took the knee against Joe Joyce and Usyk – without his dad officially in his corner – fellow fighters and armchair trolls piled in.

But he’s since battered Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Joshua with dad an official part of the team.

And Lewis – who successfully addressed his own two defeats against Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman – says the only way to overcome the hurdle is to keep riding the rodeo.

“It’s just about getting back on the horse and making sure you’re better than before,” he said.

“Dubois was a baby in the sport and now he’s a man.

“He’s been knocked down, he;’s been hit with a right hand, called all sorts of names but he’s come through that and that’s growth.

“He’s grown mentally, he’s grown in strength and he’s grown in confidence.

“Those are three key areas you need to grow and it’s going to make you a better boxer.

“He’s grown as a boxer in front of our eyes.

“It’s been a very impressive growth, he believes in himself more and he’s working harder.

“He’s been focused for a long time; people don’t realise how much sacrifice he has done.

“It takes a lot of sacrifice to be great and these two guys have both done it.”

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