Three-time world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has sent a warning to WBC champion Deontay Wilder over his proposed bout with Tyson Fury.

Praising the crafty style of the Gypsy King, Lewis has said he wouldn't be surprised if Wilder has a few problems when facing the former WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO unified world heavyweight champion.

"While you might think it be better for him to have another couple of fights first, Wilder would not find this easy," Lewis begun.

"Fury's height (6ft 9in), long reach, mobility and style make him very difficult to beat.

"Wladimir Klitschko discovered that. And the better the opponent, the better Tyson is going to look. Definitely.

"That's why I call him the Boogy Man. He can be a nightmare for anyone."

Wilder is set to be at ringside for Fury's second return fight which takes place on August 18 and will see Fury face off against Italian Francesco Pianeta on Carl Frampton's Windsor Park card in Belfast.

Despite his comments, Lewis expressed his disappointment with the fact that WBO, WBA, IBF, IBO champion Anthony Joshua has not reached a deal to fight Wilder in a high stakes unification.

With talks having collapsed, Joshua will now face WBA mandatory challenger, Alexander Povetkin at Wembley on September 22.

With another date at Wembley secured for April 2019, Lewis hopes Wilder will be the opponent opposite Joshua on the night.

"Apart from Riddick, all the leading heavyweights of our era fought each other. That needs to happen now.

"I was stopped twice (by Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman) but that helped me proved my class, by coming back to win the rematches and by becoming world champion again.

“There is no question that it is Wilder who wants the fight and it is Wilder who wants to prove that he is the man in this new heavyweight era.

"Go order Eddie Hearn to make the fight with Deontay Wilder. Now is the moment when you must take charge of your own destiny.

"He explained to me all the difficulties he is having with Anthony and Eddie, of how AJ is listening to Hearn.

“Deontay most definitely wants this fight more than any fight."

Fans will have to wait to see Joshua and Wilder face off, with Fury set to be the unbeaten opponent across from the American after positive negotiations in recent weeks.