Anthony Joshua broke a British heavyweight record that almost everyone missed

[Ruthless-RKO]

Anthony Joshua broke a British world heavyweight record against Carlos Takam at the end of October, yet staggeringly nobody appeared to have noticed!

The victory over Takam saw Joshua defend his heavyweight titles for the fourth time - a feat Lewis, as Boxing writer Steve Bunce explained, was not able to achieve having lost his crown at his third defence. This is referring Lewis being a unified champion.

“Anthony Joshua just set a record for a British heavyweight world champion,” said Bunce, as per The Daily Star.

“When he beat Carlos Takam, he became the first guy to make four defences of his world heavyweight title because Lennox Lewis lost in his fourth attempt."

“Anthony Joshua is unbelievable. 25 years ago, if you had told me, you’d have looked into a crystal ball and painted for me Anthony Joshua – not a chance.”

Joshua can't perhaps be mentioned in quite the same breath as Lewis was just yet, though.

Lewis, of course, is a two-time British Heavyweight Champion, three-time world heavyweight champion and the last heavyweight to hold the undisputed title.

[Stuarty]

It's amazing how much heavyweight boxing has changed from Lewis's heyday. The style of fighting nowadays is completely different to what it was. These guys went for it. Lewis came through an era of top fighters and ended up on top. It's a pity the Bowe fight never happened. Even fringe guys like Ray Mercer (who gave Lewis fits) and David Tua were serious individuals. There's nobody out there like that now. AJ deserves credit of course but he'd have had some tough nights and probably a few KOs against him if he fought back then. Sure he'd have had his share of success as well though but he wouldn't have it all his own way like he has in 90% of his career so far....

[Mimmy]

Back in the days of Lennox Lewis there was a bloody shed load of decent heavyweight fighters.

[chad]

When Lewis won the WBC title from McCall he defended it against Akinwande, Golota, Briggs and Mavrovic before drawing with Holyfield. Am I missing something here? I see a mention of "when Lewis was unified champion" but Joshua hasn't been a unified champion for his 4 defences. I'm puzzled

[Taansend]

When Lewis won the WBC title from McCall he defended it against Akinwande, Golota, Briggs and Mavrovic before drawing with Holyfield. Am I missing something here? I see a mention of "when Lewis was unified champion" but Joshua hasn't been a unified champion for his 4 defences. I'm puzzled

You're right. He defended his title NINE times before losing to Rahman, including the draw to Holyfield.

I'm sure Bunce means something else but I'm not sure what it is.

[tiny_acres]

When Lewis won the WBC title from McCall he defended it against Akinwande, Golota, Briggs and Mavrovic before drawing with Holyfield. Am I missing something here? I see a mention of "when Lewis was unified champion" but Joshua hasn't been a unified champion for his 4 defences. I'm puzzled

You're right. He defended his title NINE times before losing to Rahman, including the draw to Holyfield.

I'm sure Bunce means something else but I'm not sure what it is.

Just another way to say Joshua is an atg before it's earned.
I wish people would just let him have a career before declaring him the greatest

[Coco]

I guess Bunce got it wrong

[Ruthless-RKO]

After I posted it, I did find it strange.. someone should tweet Buncey and ask what he meant. Lol

[KiwiRider]

I guess Bunce got it wrong

I think so too.
I don't even put AJ up with Bruno yet, let alone Lewis.
Of course it's early days. A win against Parker and Wilder changes my mind.
Then you can start the Lewis comparisons.

[jtourettes]

Bunce chatting shit? Shocking.

[tobyh5]

Lewis, of course, is a two-time British Heavyweight Champion, three-time world heavyweight champion and the last heavyweight to hold the undisputed title.

Was I the only to immediately spot the inaccuracy of the op's post?

[Sklar]

Bunce is comparing Lewis' first reign to Joshua's.

[Tomasino]

It's amazing how much heavyweight boxing has changed from Lewis's heyday. The style of fighting nowadays is completely different to what it was. These guys went for it. Lewis came through an era of top fighters and ended up on top. It's a pity the Bowe fight never happened. Even fringe guys like Ray Mercer (who gave Lewis fits) and David Tua were serious individuals. There's nobody out there like that now. AJ deserves credit of course but he'd have had some tough nights and probably a few KOs against him if he fought back then. Sure he'd have had his share of success as well though but he wouldn't have it all his own way like he has in 90% of his career so far....

AJ would shit a brick if he was fighting guys like Mercer, Holyfield etc. He looked bewildered when Takam stuck the nut on him!

[banjo]

If Lewis was the last undisputed champion what the hell was Wlad until he ran into Fury?

[Ruthless-RKO]

If Lewis was the last undisputed champion what the hell was Wlad until he ran into Fury?

Back then, the IBF, WBC and WBA were undisputed. WBO became part of the big 4 later on.

[Taansend]

If Lewis was the last undisputed champion what the hell was Wlad until he ran into Fury?

Back then, the IBF, WBC and WBA were undisputed. WBO became part of the big 4 later on.

I don't know. The WBO was fairly well established by the mid 90's

[Ruthless-RKO]

If Lewis was the last undisputed champion what the hell was Wlad until he ran into Fury?

Back then, the IBF, WBC and WBA were undisputed. WBO became part of the big 4 later on.

I don't know. The WBO was fairly well established by the mid 90's

I think they were kinda like the IBO of today.

[Taansend]

Back then, the IBF, WBC and WBA were undisputed. WBO became part of the big 4 later on.

I don't know. The WBO was fairly well established by the mid 90's

I think they were kinda like the IBO of today.

We'll have to agree to disagree on that one, mate.

[littlepug]

If Lewis was the last undisputed champion what the hell was Wlad until he ran into Fury?

Back then, the IBF, WBC and WBA were undisputed. WBO became part of the big 4 later on.

I don't know. The WBO was fairly well established by the mid 90's

It was in some countries, especially Britain, but took a while longer for the U.S to fully embrace them, over there the WBO was seen as some kind of entry level title before moving on to bigger things, the heavyweights took even longer to accept them with the title reigns of Bowe, Moorer, Mercer and Morrison largely ignored as legitimate title fights

[banjo]

Yeah but that doesn't change the fact that Klitschko was an undisputed champion.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Yeah but that doesn't change the fact that Klitschko was an undisputed champion.

Wlad wasn't. He never held the WBC title, mostly because it was held by Vitali.

[Stuarty]

I guess Bunce got it wrong

I think so too.
I don't even put AJ up with Bruno yet, let alone Lewis.
Of course it's early days. A win against Parker and Wilder changes my mind.
Then you can start the Lewis comparisons.

You're taking a risk criticising Bunce He'll be on looking for your address if he reads this

[Coco]

Did anyone hear from him? Or was it just talk?

I can't remember who he threatened now? It was boxing knockout, Bricks and someone else yeah?

[funso banjo baby]

he has some alphabet baubles.

he is NOT the world champion

it's trivia rather than a historic sporting achievement.

[Boxing Prospect]

Joshua has only defended heavyweight titleS once. He won two of them vs Klitschko...

...in a similar vein Lewis's first reign wasn't as a unified champion, he didn't unify until he BEAT Holyfield, and subsequently made 3 defense. As a champion Lewis' second reign was much longer than 3 defended

So...in summary Bunce talks shit again, and people believe him because they respect the often wrong "man of the people'