Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has revealed that he could be lured out of retirement - for $100 million.
Lewis admits he could be lured back into the ring
Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has revealed that he could be lured out of retirement - for $100 million.
At 43, the last undisputed champion has been retired for five years since beating Vitali Klitschko on a cuts-enforced stoppage, during which time several reports have surfaced over a possible comeback with few contenders worthy of the name.
But despite the heavyweight division showing signs of a revival - Klitschko made his own comeback recently to win the WBC title after four years in the wilderness - and the recent emergence of David Haye, Lewis believes his return would bring some credibility back.
"My legacy is growing, I was the last of the great heavyweights, the pugilist specialist," Lewis told
The Mail on Sunday. "I beat everybody there was to beat, I went back to beat the only two guys to beat me, and I retired after a victory at the end.
"If someone wants to pay me serious money, $100 million or so, then I will fight again.
"I don't have to do this, I don't need the money and my legacy speaks for itself. But boxing needs me. The heavyweight game is so boring now. All the characters are gone.
"It would have to be nearer $100million to make me say yes, but there are people out there who can get that kind of money together. There are a lot of people who would pay to see me fight again.
"It would be exciting, for the sport and for me. And if I come back it will be to win, not play."
However, to many talk of a comeback is absurd. Lewis is considered to be a least three stone over fighting weight and climbing into the ring at 44 would be way past his peak.
A return to the fight game would almost certainly do nothing to enhance his legacy, particularly if the six-years younger Klitschko was to gain belated revenge for what some considered to be an unlucky defeat five years ago.
