LONDON, March 15: Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis was in the High Court on Tuesday trying to claw back up to two thirds of three million pounds ($5.77 million) he is still owed by his former manager Panos Eliades from an $8million fraud damages award in the U.S.

Lewis, who retired in 2004, was awarded damages by a federal jury in Manhattan in February after it found Eliades and his company, Panix Promotions, guilty of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and racketeering against Lewis.

The 39-year-old Lewis is asking top judge Mr Justice Peter Smith to rule that Eliades is the beneficial owner of a two millions pounds property in north London in moves aimed at enabling him to recover the value of the house.

Eliades, who remained Lewis’ manager until 2000 and his promoter until 2001, claims that he does not own the property.

Speaking ahead of the hearing, a spokesman for Lewis said: “Panos Eliades betrayed Lennox Lewis’ trust and confidence throughout the time that he acted as a promoter.

“Lennox is determined not to let him get away with what he has done, and will continue to pursue him until he is brought to justice.”

The hearing is scheduled to last four days.—Reuters