A reporter for the "St. John Sun" partial to Sullivan's performance noted that "What punches were landed were put through by Sullivan, who fought Lewis all over the ring in every round." The reporter observed the superior punching power of Sullivan, but also paid homage to Lewis's scientific boxing skills when he observed, "Lewis seemed to change his style of fighting in every round." Lewis fought the bout at only 140, and was probably outweighed by Sullivan, who was known for his strength and strong punching ability. Though highly unpopular with the crowd, the decision against Sullivan by referee Reddy Gallagher may have been influenced by Lewis's style, speed, and defensive skills. A year later, when Lewis met world welterweight champion Honey Mellody, he added both weight and strength to his natural skills of speed and technique. On May 6, 1907, Lewis fought accomplished light welterweight Jimmy Gardner in a six round bout, further demonstrating his status as a contender. Two weeks later on May 21, Lewis defeated Gardner in a ten round bout in Denver. When Sullivan relinquished his title for being over the welterweight limit, Lewis decided to lay claim to it. On January 23, 1908, he defeated the top world championship welterweight claimant Frank Mantell at Edgewood Athletic Club in New Haven, Connecticut in a third round TKO, giving real substance to his claim to the title. At the zenith of his career, Lewis secured the Welterweight Championship of the World defeating William "Honey" Mellody, the most recent holder of the title, on April 20, 1908 at the armory in Boston in a fourth round TKO, although no single sanctioning organization was recognized worldwide at the time. The "Gazette Times" wrote of the fight that "Lewis scored a knockdown in the first round and in point of cleverness outclassed Mellody," in the exceptional fourth round knockout. Several other boxers vied to claim the title as it was vacant at the time, but most sources now recognize Lewis's claim. Lewis fought accomplished Philadelphia welterweight Unk Russell twice in May in Philadelphia and then three times in July, September and October 1908, in classic fast, and aggressive bouts with Lewis winning most handily in the September bout in Boston. As a five time opponent in 1908, Lewis's bouts with Russell characterized his style in his early reign as the welterweight champion. On December 14, 1908, Harry had a close bout with one of his frequent opponents, welterweight contender Willie Lewis at the New Haven, Connecticut, Grand Opera House.