London, Dec. 17 : Boxer Lennox Lewis has offered to come out of retirement and be David Haye's sparring partner for his crack at the world heavyweight title.

According to The Sun, the former undisputed champion made his offer after a deal was reached for Haye to fight WBC king Vitali Klitschko in June.

Arsenal's Emirates Stadium has emerged as one of the front-runners to stage the London showdown.

Haye's manager Adam Booth confirmed the Lewis connection.

"Lennox was in Germany to commentate for American TV station HBO when Vitali's brother Wladimir Klitschko beat Hasim Rahman at the weekend. He seems to have really taken to David and wants to do all he can to help him land the heavyweight title."

Haye, 28, is delighted with the link-up. He said: "I'm really good friends with Lennox. He has worked with me in the gym before, he's seen me sparring and he knows I'm the real deal.

Lewis, 43, had a ringside seat when Vitali and Haye wrestled in a restaurant following their furious bust-up over a magazine picture that showed his brother Wladimir with a mocked-up decapitated head.

Haye and Lewis had earlier sat together at the eatery while the title fight deal was being finalised.

Lewis has not boxed for five years with his last bout being the sixth-round stoppage of Vitali at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.

That defeat has always annoyed Vitali who was ahead on points when referee Lou Moret intervened and has always hoped he could tempt Lewis out of retirement to put the result right with a rematch. (ANI)