By Eric Thomas: Former IBF/WBA/WBC heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis (41-2-1, 32 KO’s) says he’s tempted to make a comeback after seeing how poor the heavyweight division has become in recent years. Lewis, now 45 and fat, last fought seven years ago and fought a war with a younger Vitali Klitschko, stopping him on cuts in the 6th round. Lewis retired soon after rather than taking a chance with Vitali or his younger brother Wladimir Klitschko. Lewis had lost a step at that point in his career, and it’s hard to think he would be anywhere close to that now seven years later and him carrying around a lot of extra fat on his 6’5″ frame.

In speaking with the Dailymail.co.uk, Lewis said “Yes, its on my mind again. I am talking myself out of it but the temptation is growing, definitely.” What seems to have given Lewis some confidence is watching Vitali’s recent 12 round defeat of 38-year-old Shannon Briggs. Lewis says “Shannon has asthma and weight problems and that spectacle was damaging to boxing. I’m in much better condition. When I see guys like Shannon and Hasim Rahman still fighting it does make me think. I’m only 45. I can still be out there. Vitali’s still boring, still holding a world title.”

I think Lewis is kidding himself if he thinks he’s in better shape than Briggs. Shannon may not have much lung power, but he was a cut 260 for the Klitschko fight. Lewis appears to be carrying around a lot of excess baggage around his midsection and he would have to take that weight off and hope that it doesn’t sap his strength. I think Lewis would have a hard time landing his right hands against Vitali or Wladimir, which is the only fights worth it for Lewis if he were to come back.

However, Lewis would have a much better chance against WBA heavyweight champion David Haye, because he’s only 6’2″, and doesn’t throw jabs and mostly just runs around on the outside looking to throw an occasional shot. That wouldn’t get the job done against Lewis, and I could see Haye either losing by dull decision or getting stopped if Lewis were to connect with one of his left hooks or right hands. Lewis, even at 45, is better than Audley Harrison – Haye’s opponent for this Saturday night at the M.E.N. Arena, in Manchester, England. Haye is the guy Lewis should go after, but it’s not easy to get a fight with Haye, because he seems rather skittish about facing quality opposition since moving up in weight to the heavyweight division. I can’t see Haye agreeing to take on someone like Lewis, because Haye would actually have a good chance to lose the fight.