(Anthony Joshua (Left) and Lennox Lewis (Right)

Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis says he is “disappointed” after Anthony Joshua called him a “clown”.

Following Joshua’s defeat by Andy Ruiz Jr on June 1, Lewis questioned whether the Briton was fully prepared.

He also tweeted that Joshua’s trainer rob Mccracken may not offer all that is needed to “rule” at heavyweight

Joshua said his own legacy will be to “enjoy” and “appreciate” the next generation of fighters coming through, adding: “Lennox isn’t like that.”

Lewis, claimed the mantle of ‘undisputed champion’ at heavyweight in 1999, when he held the division’s three recognized belts – IBF, WBA and WBC.

The strengthened reputation of the WBO title has led to present-day fighters seeking four major belts to claim the same ‘undisputed’ description.

Joshua was chasing that honour but could not agree a fight with WBC champion Deontay Wilder and ultimately went on to lose his IBF, WBA and WBO titles to Ruiz in New York.