Former champion Lewis would return for big payday

Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis would be tempted out of retirement by the lure of a $100 million payday as well as his desire to "save the sport," he told a British newspaper on Sunday.

Lewis who retired from the ring in 2003 after beating Vitali Klitschko but the 43-year-old said he could be ready for a title fight after six months of training.

"If someone wants to pay me serious money, $100m or so, then I will fight again," he told the Mail on Sunday.

"I don't have to do this, I don't need the money and my legacy speaks for itself. But boxing needs me. The heavyweight game is so boring now. All the characters are gone. I would like to save my sport."

Lewis said the poor quality of the current crop of heavyweights was one of the main reasons he was tempted to return to the ring.

"Boxers usually come back or continue fighting for two reasons," he said. "Either the atmosphere of the crowd or the money. Me? I don't need either, I'm happy as I am.

"But I think the sport needs me and I love my sport. And I don't like seeing it the way it is."