Lennox Lewis has told Evander Holyfield to forget about a third attempt to defeat Britain's WBC and IBF world heavyweight champion.
The 37-year-old American secured the vacant WBA title by beating John Ruiz on points in Las Vegas on Saturday night, and immediately announced: "I would like to fight Lennox Lewis."
Lewis beat Holyfield last November to become the undisputed heavyweight king of the world before relinquishing the WBA belt following his refusal to fight mandatory challenger Ruiz.
Lewis told Teletext: "How many times do I have to beat him before he accepts that he is no longer a threat?
"In world title terms he is no more than a fringe player now, and has to face up to that.
"Evander should quit now before he gets hurt, he is no longer the man he was."
Lewis' promoter Panos Eliades confirmed Holyfield was no longer an option for the Briton's camp.
"He went into court to take one of our titles, so he'll get no favours from us. He had two chances, which is more than most get, so now he can go to the back of the queue.
"Holyfield has no claim at all. He was well beaten twice and he can forget about another crack at the champion.
"Lennox has moved on from Holyfield to bigger and better things. Evander has been left behind."
Lennox Lewis has confirmed November 11 as the date for the defence of his IBF and WBC world heavyweight titles against David Tua, although the venue of either Toronto or Las Vegas has yet to be decided.
Tua, the American-based Samoan who is the number one contender for both belts, and his promoter, Dan Goossen of America Presents, have accepted a payday of US dollars 3.5million and a share of anticipated pay-per-view profits.
Their decision, which followed a long night of talks between representatives of both camps in New York, prevents the fight going to an IBF purse bid. Pay-per-view profits could see Lewis' pay packet exceed US dollars 10 million.
Lewis said: "In order to keep my options open, as to fighting Tua in Toronto or Las Vegas on November 11, my team had to retain control of the promotion and yet avoid the risk of going to an IBF purse bid, timed for noon on Tuesday."
Lewis also revealed that his co-promoters, Main Events and Panos Eliades of Panix, will now report directly to his new company, Lennox Lewis Enterprises, of which he is president.
"The new structure will allow me to play a more active role in my affairs, exercise final say in all key promotional and managerial decisions and keep me fully informed on all financial matters," he said.
"Boxing is, and will remain, my number one priority and I still want my co-promoters to be free to promote properly, without restraints, and my manager to manage freely - but I would like more control over what they do on my behalf.
"I hope that all successful boxers in future will follow my example and take more control over their own careers."
