Lewis v Klitschko II: Kiev exhibition rematch finally explained

[Ruthless-RKO]

Former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has finally clarified his exhibition rematch will take place during the convention in Kiev this year - but not a pugilistic match-up.

The 52 year-old denied the pair were initially set to participate in some sort of mild-mannered boxing match, although Lewis has now revealed all about plans are to get Vitali Klitschko and himself back in the ring together.

Confusion initially began when the Klitschko brothers website published a Ukrainian article outlining that a clash with Lewis would take place 15 years on from the first meeting - which was won by the Briton.

"The eternal world champion WBC and the mayor of Kiev Vitali Klitschko can again enter the ring against ex-world champion Lennox Lewis," stated the story.

"It is planned that the male conversation of two gentlemen with the help of gestures will take place during the 56th WBC Congress, which will be held in Kiev.

"This will be an exhibition duel, which will be held as part of a charity auction. Details of the auction and the format of the battle are not yet publicized.

"Recall, the battle of Lennox Lewis - Vitali Klitschko took place on June 21, 2003. The dramatic duel, later recognized as 'the fight of the decade in the heavyweight,' was stopped by the doctor because of the cut in Vitali.

"At the time of the stop, the Ukrainian won on the cards of all three judges with a score of 58:56. Immediately after the battle, Lennox promised Vitali a rematch but did not keep his word and a few months later announced the completion of a professional boxing career.

"And then, 15 years later, Lewis suddenly had the opportunity to fulfill his promise.

"The 56th WBC Congress will be held in Kyiv for the first time in its history. About 700 participants from 160 countries will arrive in the capital of Ukraine. Among them will be the current world champions, the legendary boxers of the past, the presidents of the federations of the WBC member countries, the referees, sports managers and functionaries.

"According to WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, has also been invited to the Congress.

"Riddick Bowe, Julio Cesar Chavez, and other legendary champions have already confirmed their participation.

"The host of the Convention will be Vitali himself," it concluded.

In an interview with Jeff Powell to promote his forthcoming 'Evening with Lennox Lewis' at The O2 on September 6th, the veteran confirmed their actions inside the squared circle would be much different than punching each other in the face - this time around.

"We are going to play a chess match inside a boxing ring. We are too old now to be pulling on the gloves again," said Lewis.

"It will be interesting for us to pit our wits against each other rather than our fists," he added.

The WBC Convention runs from September 30th to October 5th this year.

[forcefraser]

“Male conversation of two gentlemen with the help of gestures”

Who translated that?

[Stuarty]

Hopefully they get bored of the chess and start scrapping anyway

[Avitar]

could you imagine the disappointment if you went to see a exhibition fight and had to sit through a chess match lol

[Ruthless-RKO]

could you imagine the disappointment if you went to see a exhibition fight and had to sit through a chess match lol

In a boxing ring!!

[jlh]

Sounds absolute ridiculous but I think most of us will watch it. I'm intrigued...

[Londonirish]

could you imagine the disappointment if you went to see a exhibition fight and had to sit through a chess match lol

In a boxing ring!!

Chess Boxing, Terry Marsh’s is world champion., held once a month in a Pub not far from me..

3mins Chess in the middle of the ring And 3 mins boxing

[fanman]

chessboxing. thats soo stupid!

[Zubrei]

chessboxing. thats soo stupid!

Yep. Where do I sign up. Sounds ridiculous but funny

[PredatorHayds]

“Male conversation of two gentlemen with the help of gestures”

Who translated that?

Ronald McIntosh.

[TooMuch]

Lewis, KO, 1.

[mickeyb]

chessboxing. thats soo stupid!

Yep. Where do I sign up. Sounds ridiculous but funny

[Boxerbeetle]

I don’t know how good Vitali is at chess, but Lennox is pretty poo so I’ll predict revenge rather than repeat. That will set up the trilogy.

Wonder what they’ll do for the rubber match? Darts at Old Trafford? Draughts at Wembley? Twister at the MGM Grand?

[TooMuch]

I change my prediction. Lewis beats Vitali in chess on cuts.

[Exoddus]

Can we get odds on this chess match?

[ERIC GUY]

Lennox is away in training camp, thats all i can say

[Ruthless-RKO]

Here he is at a recent sparring session..

[jlh]

Wont make my prediction until the weigh in following the stare down...

[TheLeprechaun]

I really wish Lewis had got in shape one last time and blasted vitali out in a rematch

[ERIC GUY]

I really wish Lewis had got in shape one last time and blasted vitali out in a rematch

Funny enough, thats what I said to him yesterday, he laffed, I said I was serious!!, he still laffed,

Lennox is over here on the 4th Sept, for his gig on sept 6, at the O2 an Audience with Lennox Lewis

[greg]

[Ricky]

I've a feeling klitchko will wipe the floor with lennox at chess.

[Terry Dooley]

I've a feeling klitchko will wipe the floor with lennox at chess.

Steve Davis hammered Lennox on that BBC show. It could be a case of revenge if Vitali can avoid the sharp edges on the rook.

[HomicideHenry]

I knew Lewis was too much of a softie to do the exhibition boxing match, even in his 50s he's still scared stiff of Vitali.

[bigjack]

I knew Lewis was too much of a softie to do the exhibition boxing match, even in his 50s he's still scared stiff of Vitali.

Except when he fought him at short notice and almost gave him a face transplant.