April 12, 2000

New York - A New York court ruled today that the WBA Heavyweight title formerly held by Lennox Lewis, will be stripped of the champion. Former three-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and WBA #1 contender, Johnny Ruiz of Chelsea, MA, will fight for the vacated title at Ceasars Palace in Las Vegas, NV on June 10th.

Lewis was ordered to face the WBA leading challenger 180 days from winning its title from Holyfield on November 13th, 1999. Instead, Lewis is slated to meet Michael Grant, the WBA's 6th rated challenger on April 29th at Madison Sqaure Garden in New York City.

A press conference is scheduled to officially announce the Holyfield-Ruiz title bout this Tuesday at a venue in Boston.