LENNOX LEWIS has urged Anthony Joshua to avoid any “DAMAGE” in a warning against fighting Deontay Wilder.

Joshua is in line to face Wilder in December in Saudi Arabia following positive talks between the camps.

It would finally bring an end to years of debate after failed talks for the pair to fight in the past.

But British boxing legend Lewis believes AJ is best off leaving the bout on the shelf – for his own good.

Lewis, 57, told ESNEWS: “Joshua against Wilder? Definitely Wilder.

“Wilder’s got that thing in him where he wants to hurt you and I’ve seen it every time he throws that right hand, he’s trying to damage you with that right hand. He’s throws it with intention.”

Joshua, 33, beat Jermaine Franklin, 29, in his April return in what Eddie Hearn hoped would be the first in a trio bouts in 2023.

But that plan faced the KO when organisers in the Middle East launched negotiations for AJ to face Wilder, 37, at the end of the year.

Hearn flew into Riyadh for talks and revealed all parties are on board for the blockbuster bout.

But with Joshua having fought just once under his trainer Derrick James, the promoter wants to give the pair more opportunity to gel.

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Hearn told Boxing Social: “We’re being told that Wilder’s in.

“And, subject to finalising some of the terms, we’re in. So, in his mind, he’s fighting Deontay Wilder in December.

“Once that gets papered, we then work backwards to the end of July or first week of August.

“I want him to fight. I think he wants to fight. I think Derrick James wants him to fight.

“So we’ve just to pick the right opponent, because what it is is really a preparation for the [Wilder] fight.”