Lennox Lewis out American contender Lionel Butler. However, at the behest of promoter Don King, the WBC bypassed him and gave Mike Tyson the first chance at the title recently won by Briton Frank Bruno from Oliver McCall. Bruno had previously lost to both Lewis and Tyson. Lewis had the number 1 contender's slot in the WBC rankings when he knocked out Australian Justin Fortune, then defeated former WBO Champion Tommy Morrison in October 1995, followed by Olympic gold medalist and former WBO champion Ray Mercer in a close majority decision in May 1996. Lewis successfully sued to force Tyson to make
Frank Bruno vs. Mike Tyson II to fight and subsequently announced his retirement shortly thereafter. Mike Tyson would next set his sights on the WBA Heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon. However, Tyson's contract stated that he would first have to defend the WBC Heavyweight title against number one contender Lennox Lewis. Don King eventually paid Lewis $4 million to step aside and let Tyson face Seldon on the condition that Lewis would get his WBC title shot after. Tyson would then go on to defeat Seldon by 1st round knockout to capture the WBA Heavyweight title. Frank Bruno vs. Mike Tyson II Frank Bruno vs. Mike Tyson