WBC appoint new champion

Klitschko retired in November but said he would consider a rematch with former world heavyweight champion Lewis.

But Lewis said he was "happily retired" from professional boxing.

"To be a great champion, it's important to have longevity and to be the last man standing. I'm one of the people who has done that," he said.

Lewis added that he had been surprised by Klitschko's retirement.

Grand opening for new Ali centre

"I was shocked," he said at a gala evening to mark the opening of Muhammad Ali's museum in Louisville, Kentucky.

"They need me back but I won't come back."

The doctor said I could barely last a round with the knee like that Vitali Klitschko

Klitschko retired after being forced to pull out of his WBC title defence with Hasim Rahman with injury for the fourth time.

But the 34-year-old told pravda.ru: "I will come back only if Lennox Lewis does the same and agrees to fight me.

"Lennox is the only competitor who matters to me."

Lewis also retired from the ring when a reigning world champion after beating Klitschko in June 2003, the Ukrainian being stopped on cuts when ahead on points after six rounds.

Lewis retired at the top and I can't see him coming out of retirement to fight Vitali From CB Have your say on Five Live

Klitschko cancelled the Rahman bout after suffering a serious knee injury during sparring.

The WBC has since decided to declare Rahman the new title holder.

"I heard a nasty crackling in my knee when I was on the eighth round of a sparring fight," added Klitschko.

"The doctors first attached a special strong analgesic to my knee. I had to wear a special support bandage for the next sparring fight.

"But I could not move around freely. The doctor said I could barely last a round with the knee like that."