The Sunday Mirror said the 39-year-old Briton was planning to fight World Boxing Council champion Vitali Klitschko of Ukraine this year.

"I want to reiterate what I said when I retired in February 2004 that I was fortunate to leave the sport on my own terms and that I will be one of the few heavyweight champions in history to retire on top and stay retired," Lewis said in a statement.

Lewis has not fought since his bout with Klitschko in June 2003 was stopped after six rounds because of severe cuts to the Ukrainian, who had been dominating the fight to that stage.