Judge Lewis Kaplan ruled that Lewis, who remains the WBC and IBF champion, must give up one of his three belts immediately - and declared that title vacant.

"If they fight for that title and Lewis wins the appeal, who's got the belt?

Panos Eliades, Lewis's promoter

Lewis's camp are appealing against the decision, but in the meantime they hope to prevent anyone else contending for the title.

The British boxer's promoter Panos Eliades said: "We're trying to get an order to prevent anybody else fighting for the belt until an appeal is heard.

"If they (Holyfield-Ruiz) fight for that title and Lewis wins the appeal, who's got the belt?

"We are trying to expedite the matter, but the paperwork will not be in before Lewis makes his next defence."

American promoter Don King instigated the WBA belt controversy after Lewis signed up to fight Michael Grant.

Frank Maloney: Appeal set for Thursday

When securing a deal for a rematch with Evander Holyfield, 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 a clash with Akinwande was ruled out when the Briton was found to have hepatitis B.

And while the WBA searched for a new challenger, Lewis' camp then set up the bout with Grant, to be held at the the Big Apple's Madison Square Garden on 29 April.

The WBA initially sanctioned the Grant fight, but King demanded Lewis be stripped of the title.

Lewis said: "I am very disappointed that the court did not even consider our major arguments that Henry Akinwande, who was number one until only a little more than a month ago, was unfit and that John Ruiz is not a qualified or legitimate number one contender.

Unfortunately, boxing without controversy isn't boxing

Frank Maloney

"I hope this will be addressed more fully on appeal.

"In the meantime I will simply proceed to fight the best contender available, Michael Grant.

"I am confident that the public will not be confused as to who the true 'undisputed' champion is."

Lewis' manager Frank Maloney backed his man's claim and believes that fight fans will not be fooled by this latest chapter in the murky world of boxing politics.

Knockout blow

He 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."

Maloney told BBC Breakfast News that he expected Lewis's appeal to be heard on Thursday.

"The judge should have gone along with the WBA ruling.

King called for belt to be vacated

"Judges who don't really understand how the boxing system works just see contracts and see it in black and white.

"Unfortunately, boxing without controversy isn't boxing.

"The paperwork is already in place and we should be in court today (Thursday).

"Hopefully the appeal court will overturn the judge's decision."