Lennox Lewis' boxing future remains uncertain after Vitali Klitschko's promoter cast doubt on whether a rematch between the pair would take place this year.
WBC heavyweight champion Lewis stopped the Ukrainian in the sixth round of their Los Angeles clash last month after the challenger suffered a bad cut.
Calls for a rematch were made almost immediately but Lewis revealed last week that he was as yet undecided on what his next step would be.
Negotiations were under way but today's claims from Klaus-Peter Kohl, the CEO of Klitschko's management company Universum, suggest that Lewis is still to make up his mind.
Kohl, who says he has spoken to Lewis' lawyer Judd Burstein and been told the Briton cannot commit to a 2003 date, said: "That's unfortunate. Vitali and I will now sit together and decide what is best for him and what makes sense.
"Perhaps Vitali will have another fight in between and the showdown against Lennox Lewis will take place next year."
A rematch with Klitschko, currently the WBC's second-ranked fighter, was unlikely to take place before November due to the length of time needed for his cuts to heal.
Lewis has spent considerable time considering his immediate future. As well as fighting Klitschko again, the 37-year-old could have the option of fighting WBA belt-holder Roy Jones Jr or he may even decide to retire from the sport.