The 52 year-old denied the pair were initially set to participate in some sort of mild-mannered boxing match, although Lewis has now revealed all about plans to get Vitali Klitschko and himself back in the ring together.
Confusion initially began when the Klitschko brothers website published a Ukrainian article outlining that a clash with Lewis would take place 15 years on from the first meeting – which was won by the Briton.
“The eternal world champion WBC and the mayor of Kiev Vitali Klitschko can again enter the ring against ex-world champion Lennox Lewis,” stated the story.
“It is planned that the male conversation of two gentlemen with the help of gestures will take place during the 56th WBC Congress, which will be held in Kiev.
“This will be an exhibition duel, which will be held as part of a charity auction. Details of the auction and the format of the battle are not yet publicized.
“Recall, the battle of Lennox Lewis – Vitali Klitschko took place on June 21, 2003. The dramatic duel, later recognized as ‘the fight of the decade in the heavyweight,’ was stopped by the doctor because of the cut in Vitali.
“At the time of the stop, the Ukrainian won on the cards of all three judges with a score of 58:56. Immediately after the battle, Lennox promised Vitali a rematch but did not keep his word and a few months later announced the completion of a professional boxing career.
“And then, 15 years later, Lewis suddenly had the opportunity to fulfill his promise.
“The 56th WBC Congress will be held in Kyiv for the first time in its history. About 700 participants from 160 countries will arrive in the capital of Ukraine. Among them will be the current world champions, the legendary boxers of the past, the presidents of the federations of the WBC member countries, the referees, sports managers and functionaries.
“According to WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, has also been invited to the Congress.
“Riddick Bowe, Julio Cesar Chavez, and other legendary champions have already confirmed their participation.
“The host of the Convention will be Vitali himself,” it concluded.
In an interview with Jeff Powell to promote his forthcoming ‘Evening with Lennox Lewis’ at The O2 on September 6th, the veteran confirmed their actions inside the squared circle would be much different than punching each other in the face – this time around.
“We are going to play a chess match inside a boxing ring. We are too old now to be pulling on the gloves again,” Lewis told The Daily Mail.
“It will be interesting for us to pit our wits against each other rather than our fists,” he added.
The WBC Convention runs from September 30th to October 5th this year.
