Lennox Lewis was tonight stripped of his World Boxing Association title, meaning he is no longer undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
Judge Lewis Kaplan ruled in a New York court today that the Briton must give up the belt immediately and declared the title vacant. (If Lewis refuses to follow the order, he is forbidden from fighting Michael Grant as scheduled on April 29. If he vacates, he is free to fight Grant. Lewis can either appeal the ruling or vacate the title but the fight with Grant is expected to take place as scheduled with the IBF and WBC (and linear) titles at stake.
- From fightnews.com)
The decision follows a row between Lewis' camp and boxing promoter Don King over Lewis' next opponent.
Panos Eliades, Lewis's promoter, said: "It's a bloody liberty, and I'm preparing to appeal against what is a diabolical decision.
"They tried to rob us in the ring in New York last March when Lennox was adjudged to have only drawn with Evander Holyfield, and now they have succeeded.
"In my view, the judge is totally incompetent, but we will fight on. The battle isn't over yet.
"Lennox is very disappointed, although he still has the WBC and IBF belts."
Judge Kaplan's verdict is the climax of a row over a deal Lewis signed with Don King to secure the return fight with Holyfield, which Lewis won last November.
Lewis had to agree that his first bout as champion would be against the WBA's number one contender, Henry Akinwande, who is managed by King, or the highest-rated available contender.
But Akinwande has hepatitis B and Lewis refused to meet him, signing instead to fight Michael Grant in New York on April 29 when both the WBC and IBF belts will be at stake.
The WBA also sanctioned the Grant fight, but King demanded Lewis be stripped of the title.
Frank Maloney, Lewis's manager said: "To lose a title in a courtroom when you've been chasing one for 10 years is a real knockout blow and a huge disappointment for boxing.
"But the real fans know who the champion of the world is."