Lennox Lewis ‘set to emerge from retirement’ for Vitali Klitschko grudge rematch News

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Lennox Lewis ‘set to emerge from retirement’ for Vitali Klitschko grudge rematch

By Daily Sports on July 10, 2018

LENNOX LEWIS is reportedly coming out of retirement for one final fight, taking on Vitali Klitschko in a rematch of their controversial 2003 contest in which the Brit emerged victorious after a debatable stoppage.

Lewis put his WBC, IBO and Ring Magazine heavyweight straps on the line that night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and looked at risk of losing all three after a strong opening half of the contest by the Ukranian.

But the sixth round would prove to be the final one of the fight after the referee was forced to step in with Klitschko badly cut under his left eye.

Klitschko, who was ahead on all three of the judges’ scorecards, was ruled unfit to continue by the ringside doctor, handing Lewis the win via TKO.

But now sensational reports emerging from Klitschko’s native Ukraine claim the pair could be set to throw down once again in an exhibition fight in Kiev later this year.

World Boxing News suggested the fight will take place when the WBC Convention rolls into town between September 30 and October 5, more than 15 years after the original contest.

Neither fighter has commented on the rumours – but last month 46-year-old Klitschko, who is now the Mayor of Kiev, revealed his disappointment that a rematch had never materialised between the two rivals.

“Lennox Lewis promised me to give me rematch after the fight, and I appreciated I had a chance to fight the great champion, great fighter that is in Lennox Lewis," Vitali told Sirius XM Boxing Radio.

"I showed my skills and I beat him but they stopped the fight and I was really upset.

“Lennox was very happy, but after the fight Lennox told me, 'Don’t worry, I promise to give you a rematch and we will fight again’.

“But, we made negotiations and Lennox invited me to his office in London to sign the contract, the fight contract for the next fight.

"I was surprised Lennox told me, 'Please, we talk together just you and me, don’t bring the lawyers, don’t bring anybody, we talk together.'

"I came to his office I was really surprised Lennox was not alone, [he was] with his mim. We talked about the next fight, I guess two hours and [his] mum didn’t say one word.

"They scanned me with the eye, and Lennox’s mum was bigger and wiser… I know his mum was always in camp, always near Lennox’s fights.

"I leave the office, Lennox called me and said, 'Vitali, sorry, I won’t fight you', and I understand.

“His mum didn’t like me and told Lennox, 'Lennox, better not to fight Klitschko again.'

"I was a little bit upset but anyway thank you for Lennox, he gave me chance to prove my skills against the best boxer in of career." (World Boxing News)

Source Daily Sports

Posted July 10, 2018