A December 6 date had been tentatively set for a rematch of their June 21 fight in Los Angeles that ended with Lewis scoring a sixth-round technical knockout over Klitschko, who was badly cut above and below his left eye.

But according to Klaus-Peter Kohl, chief executive for Universum, Klitschko's German-based promoter, Lewis has informed them he has no plans to fight again this year.

"If this is true, then it really caught me off guard," Klitschko was quoted by his promotor as saying in Hamburg. "I did not expect to hear anything like this.

"I am really surprised that Lewis suddenly feels unable to have a rematch this year.

"First, he put pressure on me, saying that I could not fight because of the cuts around my left eye. So I had several different experts examine the eye.

"Independent doctors in Los Angeles and Germany both gave me the OK to resume training right away. They both said that a fight later in the year would not be a problem for me."

A late replacement for injured Canadian Kirk Johnson, Klitschko (32-2, 31 KOs) was the heavy underdog against Lewis (41-2-1, 32 KOs).

HEROIC EFFORT

But he produced a heroic effort against the Briton and was leading on all three judges' scorecards when the bout was stopped because of an ugly gash above his eye that required 60 stitches to close.

Lewis had agreed to a rematch with Klitschko but wanted assurances from an independent doctor that the Ukrainian's wounds had healed from their June bout.

"Honestly, it seems to me that Lennox is looking for an easy exit," said Klitschko. "Why else would he wait until after I have been cleared to fight to announce that he did not want to fight?

"He is looking for an easy way out. Lewis is a great champion, but I have the feeling that he realises how tough the fight against me really was and how difficult the rematch will be.

"I am ready to fight Lennox Lewis right now. And, you know, I still feel like the winner of the first bout.

"I am very confident that I will also win the rematch.

"This is a fight the fans want and deserve to see again. For the boxing fans all over the world, I really hope that Lennox will change his mind and that we will have the rematch before 2003 is over."

Klitschko's agent, however, appeared not to hold out much hope of getting the rematch in before the end of the year saying he would look at possible other opponents.

"Perhaps Vitali will have another fight in between and the showdown against Lennox Lewis will take place next year," Kohl said.