01-29-2003, 02:42 PM
Klitschko threatens to sue Lewis
TSN.ca Staff
1/29/2003
The promoter for boxer Vladimir Klitschko says they are considering legal action against world champion Lennox Lewis after bowing out of their deal.
Peter Hanraths of Universum Box-Promotion, a German-based management company, confirmed that an April fight between the Ukrainian and Lewis was definitely off. He added that he would urge the WBC to force Lewis to fight Klitscho before June or strip him of the title.
Lewis' handlers say the world champion is now scheduled to return to the ring June 21 for a possible rematch against Mike Tyson, who is scheduled to fight Clifford Etienne next month.
Judd Burnstein, Lewis' attorney, says the 37-year-old "has a contractual obligation to consider Mike Tyson as his June opponent".
Lewis had at one time been the undisputed heavyweight champion, but gave up two of the belts, the last one so that he did not have to fight No. 1 IBF contender Chris Byrd. Byrd later went on to beat Evander Holyfield in December to win the vacant title.
TSN.ca Staff
1/29/2003
The promoter for boxer Vladimir Klitschko says they are considering legal action against world champion Lennox Lewis after bowing out of their deal.
Peter Hanraths of Universum Box-Promotion, a German-based management company, confirmed that an April fight between the Ukrainian and Lewis was definitely off. He added that he would urge the WBC to force Lewis to fight Klitscho before June or strip him of the title.
Lewis' handlers say the world champion is now scheduled to return to the ring June 21 for a possible rematch against Mike Tyson, who is scheduled to fight Clifford Etienne next month.
Judd Burnstein, Lewis' attorney, says the 37-year-old "has a contractual obligation to consider Mike Tyson as his June opponent".
Lewis had at one time been the undisputed heavyweight champion, but gave up two of the belts, the last one so that he did not have to fight No. 1 IBF contender Chris Byrd. Byrd later went on to beat Evander Holyfield in December to win the vacant title.