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
Oliver McCall vs. Frank Bruno five rounds in 1989, and WBC champion Lennox Lewis finished his fellow Brit in seven rounds in 1993. In the opening rounds, Bruno unloaded a barrage of left jabs that left McCall stunned. McCall absorbed the punishment, put up little defense and waited until the fifth round to throw a meaningful punch. But by then, Bruno was confident and ahead on points. As the fight wore on, it became apparent that McCall's last hope to retain the title was to win by a knockout. McCall hurt Bruno with an uppercut in the 11th, and in the 12th, McCall shoved the