by James Slater – For weeks now, word has been both spreading and growing about a possible return to the ring by former heavyweight king Lennox Lewis. Initially looked at as nothing more than a foolish rumour and nothing more, the idea of the 43-year-old all-time great actually lacing up the gloves one more time actually got halfway believable when Lewis himself told a British newspaper he might come back if he were offered the huge sum of $100 million..
With a number of boxing web sites devoting space to the potential Lewis return, there was one major thing missing – word from Lennox himself. Well, in today’s issue of The Yorkshire Post, Lewis talks about the chances of his coming back, and said that he would consider it only if another extremely unlikely thing were to happen first.
“I will consider coming out of retirement when Wladimir boxes his brother,” Lennox said. “If they box each other then I’ll consider it.”
As interesting as this is strange – why, for example would Lewis want to see a Klitschko-Klitschko fight, and even if the two brothers did fight why would that make Lennox want to come back? – it does seem as though the former champ is merely giving us all an example of his unique sense of humour. Either that or Lewis is attempting to mess with Vitali Klitschko’s head – only too aware is he how desperate the elder sibling is for a rematch with him. This writer thinks Lewis’ comments are very much to be taken with a pinch of salt. He knows damn well Wladmir and Vitali will never fight.
With regards to the incredibly high asking price Lewis is reported to have suggested as a prize worth coming out of an almost six year retirement for, Lennox did say that if such a number were offered to him things would become “very interesting,” but that he very much doubts anyone will ever offer him that much money.
“If that number [$100 million] came, people would look at me like, ‘are you mad, look at how much money is out there?’ It would be very interesting if they were serious, but I know they are not.”
It seems, then, as though the rumours of a Lewis comeback are to be dismissed after all. Most people felt this was the case anyway, knowing Lennox is such a smart man. At age 43, and after having already achieved so much in a truly great career, why would Lewis risk coming back and looking a fool by losing? He wouldn’t and he won’t. End of!