Lennox Lewis knows a thing or two about being linked with a return to boxing.
The former undisputed heavyweight champion has spent the best part of 20 years being rumoured to make various comebacks to the sport, having hung up his gloves in 2004.
Since then, Lewis has been urged by fans to face a number of fighters, most recently Jake Paul following his victory in November over former Lewis foe Mike Tyson.
It is another former world heavyweight champion that is currently being linked with a sensational return though, and that is Wladimir Klitschko.
Klitschko retired in 2017 after an epic showdown with Anthony Joshua, suffering an 11th round stoppage defeat after a battle that saw both men hit the canvas.
Prior to that, Wladimir lost his unified world heavyweight titles with an upset loss to Tyson Fury, bringing to an end his near decade-long reign as champion.
Despite over seven years out of the ring and now being 48-years-old, rumours continue that Klitschko could return to either face Fury, if he is victorious against Oleksandr Usyk in their rematch later this month, or perhaps Daniel Dubois, if he defeats Joseph Parker in February.
Speaking to IFL TV, Lewis – who recently spoke to Klitschko – has now revealed that he doubts it will happen.
“They’ve got bigger problems right now. There’s a war in their country and they’re focused on that. I definitely know that. I don’t think he’ll come back just to do this.”
‘The Lion’ revealed that he was sitting with Klitschko when Riyadh Season’s Turki Alalshikh publicly called for Klitschko to return at this year’s WBC Convention.
“[Klitschko] was actually pushing for me to come back. He was like ‘I think [Alalshikh] is talking about you Lennox’ and I’m like, no, I think he’s talking about you! So it was back and forth that way.”
While Lewis can’t see it happening, IBF champion Dubois has welcomed the potential showdown with Klitschko.
