Lewis vs. Klitschko?

By Chet Mills III: According to Kommersant, the Russian news agency, former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis (41-2-1, 32 KOs) is interested in fighting a rematch with Vitali Klitschko (35-2, 34 KOs), if the money is right, and only if Vitali can somehow win back a heavyweight title. No doubt, it’s a tall order for Klitschko, who has been out of boxing for the past two years after retiring due to numerous injuries. For the bout to happen, Vitali, now 36-years old, must beat Jameel McCline, his next opponent on August 22, 2007, in Germany. If all goes well in that bout, Vitali then faces the winner of WBC heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev and challenger Samuel Peter.

“If I become the world champion, the leading TV channels will make that offer,” Klitschko said to Kommersant news. For Vitali to even get to the stage of fighting Lewis, however, will be a minor miracle, since he’s had a long history of sustaining injuries while training for bouts, and for him, at this age, to be able to go through three consecutive fights without breaking down would be stunning. However, who knows? If Vitali can avoid running, and at the same time take it easy while sparring, he might get lucky and make it that far. That said, beating someone as good Oleg Maskaev or Samuel Peter, both very talented fighters, would be a long shot for Vitali, given his age and two years away from boxing while in retirement.

Lewis, 41, and Vitali met before, in June 21, 2003, a bout in which Vitali dominated the early rounds, but then was badly cut around his left eye in the 5th, prompting the referee to stop the bout in the sixth round, awarding Lewis the TKO win. The loss didn’t sit too well with Klitschko, however, as he felt that he could beat Lewis in a rematch. Since then, Klitschko has called for a rematch with Lewis any chance that he could get, but has been largely ignored.