In his first three years as a professional, Lewis won several regional heavyweight championships, including the European, British, and Commonwealth titles. After winning his first 21 fights, he defeated Donovan Ruddock in 1992 to take over the number one position in the World Boxing Council (WBC) rankings. He was declared WBC heavyweight champion later that year after Riddick Bowe gave up the title refusing to defend it against Lewis. He defended the title three times before an upset knockout loss to Oliver McCall in 1994. Lewis avenged the loss in a 1997 rematch to regain the vacant WBC title.
in his first three years as a professional lewis won several regional heavyweight championships including the european british and commonwealth titles after winning his first 21 fights he defeated donovan ruddock in 1992 to take over the number one position in the world boxing council (wbc) rankings he was declared wbc heavyweight champion later that year after riddick bowe gave up the title refusing to defend it against lewis he defended the title three times before an upset knockout loss to oliver mccall in 1994 lewis avenged the loss in a 1997 rematch to regain the vacant wbc title