KEY POINTS:
Lennox Lewis may dust off his gloves at the age of 41 for a US$75 million fight with Vitali Klitschko in an attempt to reignite interest in the fading heavyweight division.
Britain's Daily Mail newspaper reported American promoter Bob Arum as saying: "Lennox has been discussing with his pals at HBO the prospect of a one-off world title rematch with Klitschko.
"No matter how often a boxer says he will never come back, the money always talks louder in the end if the offer is big enough. I am told Lennox is back in the gym and this is an enormous fight in the making."
The newspaper also said leading British promoter Frank Warren had been alerted by US insiders that Lewis is pondering a rematch with Klitschko - reneging on his retirement promise never to return to the ring.
Warren is identifying potential dates at the new Wembley Stadium between late September and early November and preparing a purse bid which "could easily yield US$25 million [NZ$35 million] for Lennox".
Lewis hung up his gloves as reigning three-time world champion in 2004, months after defeating Klitschko in a bloody battle in Los Angeles.
Klitschko, having followed Lewis into retirement after defeating Corrie Sanders for the vacant WBC title and severely beating Britain's Danny Williams in his only defence, suddenly went back on his own promise not to fight again.
The WBC, keen to crown a high profile heavyweight, gave Klitschko dispensation to bypass their rankings and challenge Russian Oleg Maskaev as "a champion emeritus" in a fight scheduled for April 23 in Moscow.
Klitschko says: "I remind you that I always said I would only come out of retirement if there could be a rematch with Lennox and I am hopeful that he will come back also."
Their 2003 fight ended bloodily in the sixth round with Klitschko complaining he could have continued despite horrific cuts around both eyes.
Lewis was behind on most scorecards before that blitz. He blamed his slow start on Klitschko being a late, southpaw replacement after he had prepared for an easier defence against the orthodox Kirk Johnson.
Publicly, Lewis is reaffirming his retirement. However, hefty legal bills in the US have put a significant dent in his fortune and he now has a young family to maintain in the lavish style to which they are all accustomed.
US$25 million dollars would replenish the funds required for his luxury home in Miami, residences on the beachfront in Jamaica and the outskirts of London, to which he makes regular visits, and his mother's house in Canada, the country for which he won Olympic gold.
* Monty Betham will launch his boxing career in Samoa on March 31 against New Zealander Vai Toevai.
It will be Betham's first test as a professional boxer after his switch from rugby league last November.
The former Warriors and Kiwis hardman will fight at the South Pacific Games Stadium in Apia, where a capacity crowd of 4500 is expected.
"I am proudly Samoan and hope to fight in Samoa as often as I can," the 28-year-old said.
Betham's father Monty snr, a former Commonwealth champion, was born in Samoa and Monty jnr represented Samoa at the 2000 rugby league World Cup.
The cruiserweight bout will be refereed by Lance Revill, who twice fought Monty snr.
Toevai has a professional record of two wins, nine losses and two draws. Betham's next fight is expected to be in Auckland.
- Additional reporting Michael Brown
