Lennox signed with boxing promoter Frank Maloney, and fought the early part of his professional career under him. He then signed with the American promoters Main Events, and stepped up the level of competition in 1990. He fought a total of eight times in that year, and his record stood at 14-0 as the year 1991 began.
In March of that year, he won the British title against undefeated Gary Mason, who was also undefeated at the time. Four months later, he stopped ex-champion Mike Weaver in five rounds, adding a big name to his resume.
In November, boxing on the undercard of the Evander Holyfield vs. Bert Cooper fight, he knocked out Olympic champion Tyrell Biggs in three rounds. When contenders for the title were mentioned, Lennox Lewis was on the top of that list.
He won three more fights from February until August of 1992 against capable boxers, setting himself up for a title elimination bout with Razor Ruddock in London on October 31, 1992. Ruddock had been through two wars with ex-champ Mike Tyson, who was now serving time in prison. The winner of the bout on Halloween night would be guaranteed a shot at the new champion Riddick Bowe, who dethroned Evander Holyfield on November 13th.
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