Lennox Lewis: 'I Saw AJ's Nasty Side'

Lennox Lewis has told Sky Sports News HQ he saw "a different side to Anthony Joshua" at Wednesday's face-off with Dominic Breazeale.

Joshua reacted angrily at what he considered a lack of respect from Breazeale as the pair met for the first time to promote their word title fight on June 25, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

It was as close as the IBF heavyweight champion has come to losing his rag during his rapid rise from Olympic champion to the top of the professional ranks, and it surprised even his promoter Eddie Hearn.

But Lewis, whose one-time status as undisputed champ Joshua is desperate to emulate, said the reaction showed Joshua is determined to stand his ground.

"I was definitely seeing a different side of Anthony Joshua," he said. "But this is what happens. This is the fight game.

"Your opponent's going to say things to try and intimidate you. You have to show him you're not intimidated by him and prove that he's not scaring you. Show him he's in for a bad situation."

Joshua will ultimately do his talking in the ring, according to Lewis, even if he believes Breazeale's 6ft 7in frame will provide a new obstacle.

"Joshua hasn't boxed any taller guys so he may have a little trouble in the first few rounds," he said.

"But I think when it goes down the stretch, Anthony Joshua's got a lot of power and a lot of conditioning, so that'll definitely weigh on his side and he should win the fight.

"Anthony's got that right hand that's coming very straight nowadays and knocking people out. He just has to get that jab moving a bit more, but he's doing a great job, he's got a great trainer and great people around him."

Lewis was speaking to SSNHQ from Las Vegas, where Amir Khan this weekend jumps two divisions to challenge for Canelo Alvarez's WBC middleweight belt.

"What Amir Khan needs to do is what he does naturally - move very well and keep Alvarez off-balance," Lewis said of underdog Khan's chances.

"I would say he needs to settle down a little bit, not too much machine-gun-fire punching, he really needs to place his punches in the correct spots.

"It's a huge risk, he's definitely bitten off a lot to chew, and what he needs to do is go out there and use his talent and his speed, and keep that jab going - because he's actually the taller man.

"I think if it goes the distance Khan is going to be the winner, if it's a short fight it's Alvarez."