Lennox Lewis vs. Lionel Butler to gain the title match with Bruno, but the WBC would ultimately rule in favor of Tyson. Confirmed bouts: Lennox Lewis vs. Lionel Butler Lennox Lewis vs. Lionel Butler was a professional boxing match contested on May 13, 1995. The fight was a WBC "eliminator" bout with the winner scheduled to become the number one contender for the WBC heavyweight title. Lennox Lewis' previous fight had been a WBC heavyweight title defense against Oliver McCall. The then-undefeated Lewis entered the fight as an overwhelming favorite over the little-known McCall, however, McCall would stun the champion and the boxing world after
Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield protested by the National Organization for Women. Tyson, in the meantime, had been somewhat active since his release from prison. After defeating journeyman Peter McNeeley in his first fight and fringe contender Buster Mathis, Jr. in his follow-up, Tyson regained the World Boxing Council heavyweight championship in Las Vegas on March 16, 1996 by knocking out champion Frank Bruno. Tyson, however, was stripped of the WBC title after winning Bruce Seldon's WBA title for electing to fight Holyfield instead of WBC number one contender Lennox Lewis. Showtime promoted the event as a heavyweight title tripleheader, as two other champions were