By Mark Vester
WBC heavyweight champ Vitali Klitschko continues to insist that a rematch with Lennox Lewis can still happen. The two fought in 2003, with Lewis winning by way of a sixth-round TKO when the ringside doctor felt Klitschko's cuts were too severe to allow the fight to continue. Klitschko was ahead on the cards at the time of the stoppage and many feel that's the reason he still continues to push for a rematch. The fight with Klitschko was Lewis' last prior to retirement.
Speaking with publication Today, Klitschko says a rematch can still be worked out if the two can compromise. Lewis lashed out at Klitschko a few months ago, stating that he needs to move on and leave him alone. The British former champion told Vitali that only a $100 million would get him back in the ring. Yet Vitali continues to call.
"There were negotiations with [Nikolai] Valuev, and Lewis, and [Ruslan] Chagaev. But, as you know, the WBC leadership has not allowed me free protection of the title and to choose an opponent I want. So I will meet the official challenger for the title - the Cuban [Juan Carlos] Gomez [on March 21]. As for Lewis, you know, as usually happens, there is bargaining. One side, in this case Lewis, asks for the maximum amount. We referred to the minimum," Vitali said.
"Ideally, we'd find a compromise somewhere in the middle. It's already well known that Lennox began bargaining and was considering returning to the ring. With regard to the budget of a possible revenge match, the negotiations with TV must be determined to potentially serve as the main source of funding for the event."
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