Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has announced that he is not planning to come out of retirement to fight old adversary Vitali Klitschko.

Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has announced that he is not planning to come out of retirement to fight old adversary Vitali Klitschko.

Promoter Bob Arum had reportedly claimed 41-year-old Lewis was preparing to make a return to the ring three years after calling time on his career.

Klitschko himself is coming out of retirement and is due to fight for his old WBC world title against Oleg Maskaev, but is thought to want a final clash with his old nemesis Lewis.

Talk of Lewis returning to the ring has ignited the heavyweight division, which has been suffering a slump ever since Lewis hung up his gloves.

However, Lewis has insisted that he is not planning to lace up his gloves once again and says he is still well and truly retired.

"Although I'm flattered that the boxing community is eager to have me back in the ring, I have no plans to return," Lewis said on his own personal website.

"I have no idea how these rumours get started, but I'm a man of my word - I will remain retired."

Lewis quashed speculation that he was running short of money and needed a big payday, while he is keen to keep his legacy as one of only three heavyweight fighters to have retired with his title intact.

"I'm happy with my life and I don't need to chase a big payday," added Lewis. I'm enjoying commentating for HBO and I'm keeping busy with business ventures and fatherhood.

"I'm proud of what I accomplished as champion and confident that my legacy will remain intact."

Arum had reportedly claimed Lewis, who last fought against Klitschko in 2003, was already back in training and had discussed a comeback with officials of American pay-per-view network Home Box Office. - Sky sports.