WBC to Lewis:  Fight or Vacate

The WBC has issued a statement that current heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis (41-2-1, 32 KO's)

must make a mandatory title defense against the number one ranked contender Vitali Klitschko (33-2, 32

KO's). Lewis has until March 1st to decide if he wants to fight or else the WBC will declare the belt to be

vacant and will hold a purse offer (promoters bid to promote the fight) on March 15th for a bout between the

number one ranked heavyweight against the number two ranked heavyweight for the vacant title which would

be Vitali Klitschko against Corrie Sanders (39-2, 29 KO's).

If Lewis decides to accept the fight, it will be the highly anticipated rematch between Lewis and Klitschko

stemming from their June 21st (2003) bout that saw Klitschko get stopped from a bad cut in the sixth round.

Many felt Klitschko was winning the bout up until the stoppage.

Lewis's trainer Emanuel Steward has stated recently that he expects Lewis to accept the fight and has

told all his people to prepare to start training.

(1/29/04)