CONFIDENT KLITSCHKO WELCOMES THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIGHT LEWIS AGAIN

03.07 - RESEDA, Calif. - The World Boxing Council's (WBC's) No. 1 heavyweight contender, Vitali "Dr. Iron Fist" Klitschko, was thrilled, and a little surprised, to hear Wednesday that Lennox Lewis would be willing to give him a rematch.

On June 21 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Lewis retained his WBC/IBO titles when an exciting bout he was losing, 58-56, on the three judges' scorecards, was stopped by the ringside physician after the sixth round due to cuts around Klitschko's
left eye.

"I am very happy that Lennox Lewis has the courage to fight me again because I have doubts after the first fight that he would want to," Klitschko, speaking from Germany, said.

"I have no problem having an independent doctor check out the cuts, if that is what Lewis wants. I have already been to two independent doctors -- in Los Angeles and in Germany - and both said there is not a problem and that I can fight before end of year. I can begin sparring in about 90 days.''

As excited as he is about a return rumble with Lewis, Klitschko remains peeved by what he perceives as continual "what you call it in United States? Trash talk?" by the world heavyweight champion toward him and his younger brother, Wladimir.

"I do not understand why Lewis always says he would have knocked me out in the next round (of the first fight)," Klitschko said. "Before we fight, he told everybody that he was going to knock me out inside five rounds and that I would not be problem. Then after the fight, he makes excuses, saying he did not have enough time to prepare for me.

"I was at the same disadvantage as him. At east Lewis knows his fight is 12 rounds. I was preparing for a 10-rounder.

"If Lewis wants to continue to not give me respect, if he wants to keep saying he is going to have me for lunch and Wladimir for breakfast, OK. But I am more confident than ever, and positive that I can beat Lennox Lewis. "If Lewis is so hungry, I make him eat the (his) words.''

Vitali will remain in Germany for a few more days with his wife, Natalie, and two children. Next week, they head to Kiev to visit his parents. Then the former World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight champion will return to Germany to help Wladimir prepare for his Aug. 30 fight against an opponent to be announced in Munich.