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Lewis set for Klitschko rematch
USA, July 03: World heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis says negotiations for a rematch with Vitali Klitschko are already underway and the fight is likely to take place on 6 December.
USA, July 03: World heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis says negotiations for a rematch with Vitali Klitschko are already underway and the fight is likely to take place on 6 December.
Lewis beat Klitschko after gaining a sixth-round technical knock-out in Los Angeles two weeks ago.
The Briton was then expected to turn his attention to a big-money bout with Roy Jones Jnr.
Jones has captured the imagination of the boxing public after stepping up from the middleweight division to claim the WBA heavyweight title last March.
But Lewis says a second fight against Ukrainian Klitschko is what really interests him.
"I'm opting more for the rematch - I enjoyed that fight," he said.
"They (Klitschko's camp) should agree to it. If not, then we will have to look at other options, like Roy Jones, or call it a day."
One obstacle to a rematch could be the condition of Klitschko's left eye.
The Ukrainian required more than 50 stitches to gashes above and below the battered eye that ultimately resulted in the fight being stopped.
"We want our own independent doctor to go there and check the eye and if he will be available," Lewis said.
Lewis failed to impress in the fight against Klitschko, weighing in at more than 256 pounds and displaying plenty of ring rust.
Lewis's preparations for the fight were less than ideal. He acceped the bout on 10 days' notice after his original opponent, Kirk Johnson, was forced out with an injury.
The Briton vowed to be better prepared next time.
"I will have a lot more sparring realising that's who I'm fighting," he said, before adding he would knock Klitschko out in five rounds.
"I'm just going to give it to him from round one.
"My jab is my big weapon and I'm going to open up the other side of his face.
"He's lucky, he would have been knocked out. I don't mind the rematch at all because I realise I have more heart than him, I'm tougher than him and this time I'll be more prepared for him.
"He was gone, he was holding on for dear life. I was dragging him around the ring. He was lucky they stopped it."
Bureau Report
The Briton was then expected to turn his attention to a big-money bout with Roy Jones Jnr.
Jones has captured the imagination of the boxing public after stepping up from the middleweight division to claim the WBA heavyweight title last March.
But Lewis says a second fight against Ukrainian Klitschko is what really interests him.
"I'm opting more for the rematch - I enjoyed that fight," he said.
"They (Klitschko's camp) should agree to it. If not, then we will have to look at other options, like Roy Jones, or call it a day."
One obstacle to a rematch could be the condition of Klitschko's left eye.
The Ukrainian required more than 50 stitches to gashes above and below the battered eye that ultimately resulted in the fight being stopped.
"We want our own independent doctor to go there and check the eye and if he will be available," Lewis said.
Lewis failed to impress in the fight against Klitschko, weighing in at more than 256 pounds and displaying plenty of ring rust.
Lewis's preparations for the fight were less than ideal. He acceped the bout on 10 days' notice after his original opponent, Kirk Johnson, was forced out with an injury.
The Briton vowed to be better prepared next time.
"I will have a lot more sparring realising that's who I'm fighting," he said, before adding he would knock Klitschko out in five rounds.
"I'm just going to give it to him from round one.
"My jab is my big weapon and I'm going to open up the other side of his face.
"He's lucky, he would have been knocked out. I don't mind the rematch at all because I realise I have more heart than him, I'm tougher than him and this time I'll be more prepared for him.
"He was gone, he was holding on for dear life. I was dragging him around the ring. He was lucky they stopped it."
Bureau Report