Perhaps his best win as a professional was his split decision win over future heavyweight titlist John Ruiz on August 4, 1994.
Lewis came into the fight as a 20–1 favorite and paid little attention to his opponent, having began negotiations for his long-awaited match with Tyson while also being challenged to a possible unification match by WBA Heavyweight Champion John Ruiz.
The contract Lewis signed prior to his fight with Holyfield stated that Lewis' first defense of his newly won championship would have to come against the WBA's number one contender, who at the time was Lewis' previous adversary Henry Akinwande but because of illness was later changed to John Ruiz.
John Ruiz (boxing-First Hispanic Heavyweight World Champion)
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