Lewis-Klitschko rematch postponed

HAMBURG, Germany, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- One month after agreeing to a December rematch against Vitali Klitschko, Lennox Lewis has postponed the bout.

Lewis posted a sixth-round TKO of Klitschko on June 21, and the rematch was tentatively scheduled for Dec. 6. On Monday, Klaus-Peter Kohl, the CEO for Universum, Klitschko's German-based promoter, revealed that Lewis will not fight again this year.

"That's unfortunate," Kohl said. "Vitali and I will now sit together and decide what is best for him and what makes sense."

Klitschko (32-2, 31 KOs) was a heavy underdog, but was ahead on all three scorecards when the fight was stopped. Lewis (41-2-1, 32 KOs) took the fight on two weeks notice when Kirk Johnson pulled out with an injury.

Klitschko had a huge gash over his left eye and other cuts that required over 60 stitches, but protested the stoppage.

After the fight, Lewis said he was on the verge of knocking out Klitschko. In a conference call last month, Lewis said Klitschko "definitely impressed, he threw some good punches."