BOXING: Lennox Lewis will return to the ring in April after finalising negotiations for his world heavyweight title defence against Vitali Klitschko.

Both fighters have signed contracts and their promoters are close to agreeing a date for the contest.

Lewis and Klitschko are likely to meet either on April 12th in Las Vegas or one week later at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Klitschko's promoter Klaus-Peter Kohl said: "We just had to clear some details but now it is definite. We will face Lewis. The contracts have already been signed by both sides but we still have to determine the site. It will be in the United States in any case."

The pair were scheduled to meet on March 8th but that was scuppered by American television network Home Box Office when John Ruiz's WBA title defence against Roy Jones was announced for March 1st.

Then Lewis appeared to question Klitschko's credentials for part one of his masterplan which was to include a rematch with Mike Tyson followed by a big meeting with Klitschko's brother and WBO champion Vladimir.

Kohl added: "Those statements of Lewis didn't interest me. Lewis is clearly worried. He saw how his former rival Evander Holyfield was clearly beaten by Chris Byrd who was dominated by both Klitschkos. Vitali dominated Byrd even one-armed."

Vitali led the scorecards in his WBO title defence against Byrd two years ago before he was forced to retire at the end of the ninth round with a torn rotator cuff.

Naseem Hamed's long-awaited return ought to be finalised by the end of next week. Hamed's brother and business manager Riath is meeting Michael Brodie's manager on Wednesday to finalise their meeting for next March.