More than fifteen years on from their brutal encounter in Los Angeles, it has been reported that former undisputed World heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis will renew hostilities with three-time former heavyweight ruler Vitali Klitschko – this time in an exhibition bout.
Their first bout in June 2003 – which was Lewis’ last in a professional ring – remains one of the most entertaining heavyweight title bouts in recent memory, with the iron-chinned Klitschko performing well-above expectations, rocking Lewis with regularity to build an unlikely early lead.
However, after sustaining gruesome facial injuries at the hands of his British adversary, an outraged Klitschko was stopped via cuts at the end of the sixth round, while holding a lead on the judges scorecards.
Despite the Ukrainian’s calls for a rematch, Lewis retired shortly after the bout – while Vitali went on to forge his own ‘Hall of Fame’ worthy career, first picking up Lewis’ vacated WBC title against Corrie Sanders the following year.
Klitschko, who after his retirement from the sport in 2012 now holds office as Mayor of Kiev, will get his chance at a measure of retribution (albeit in slightly less formal circumstances) when the two men meet in a charity exhibition at some stage this autumn.
“This will be an exhibition fight, which will be held as part of a charity auction. The details of the auction and the format of the bout have not been publicised yet.” a statement from the Klitschko’s official website read.