Klitschko return 'will terrify Lewis'

Lennox Lewis will be scared into retirement by the manner of arch-rival Vitali Klitschko's comeback victory in New York.

That was the claim made today by Vitali's boxing brother, Wladimir, after the older Ukrainian took less than two rounds to defeat Canada's Kirk Johnson at Madison Square Garden.

Vitali suffered a technical knockout on account of the grotesque cuts he sustained around his left eye when he fought Lewis in June. But at the time of the stoppage all three judges had Lewis trailing his challenger for the World Boxing Council's belt.

Since that encounter Lewis, 38, has refused to confirm whether he has hung up his gloves or not.

After watching his sibling destroy Johnson, Wladimir said: "Everyone knows Vitali won the first fight with Lewis. He won the fight but not the title and he is the people's champion.

"To be honest, if Lewis saw the fight against Johnson he will not come back to fight again."

Meanwhile Enzo Maccarinelli has been promised his dream showdown with rival British cruiserweight Johnny Nelson next year.

Maccarinelli retained the World Boxing Union's title, one of the minor belts, when a barrage of blows sent South Africa's Earl Morias crashing after just 90 seconds in Cardiff.

Frank Warren, who promotes Nelson and Maccarinelli, confirmed: "That'll be a great fight and it will happen."