When Guyana’s first world champion Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis steps into the ring against Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman on October 5 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, he is out to prove to all and sundry that he is not over the hill.
“Some boxing fans are of the opinion that I am over the hill. Well I want to show to them that I am not. Boxing is still in me and I will show the public that Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis has what it takes to become a world champion again.”
The match between Guyana’s two “elite sons of the ring”, as Lewis calls the two contenders, is being promoted by well-known promoter Odinga Lumumba after he watched Eastman defeat Denny ‘Deadly’ Dalton for the national middleweight title on July 5 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
It was then and there that Lumumba made the challenge to Eastman’s management on behalf of Lewis, stating that he knows Lewis would love to face Eastman and give the Guyanese boxing fans a treat in the ring.
True to his promoter’s word Lewis, who became Guyana’s first world champion back in 2001 when he knocked out James Page, accepted the challenge and commenced his training three weeks ago, even moving into camp early as he has a point to prove.
“Many feel that after I lost my world title to Ricardo Mayorga, followed by an unsuccessful attempt at World Boxing Organization (WBO) Antonio Margarito’s welterweight title, my days in the ring were numbered.”
“But I am still crafty and skillful and when I step into the ring with Eastman on October 5th at the National Stadium, I will be looking for a victory as I always do. I still possess my qualities that made me a world champion, such as skill and endurance, and with God on my side, I am ready to go out there and take him on and come away the victor,” Lewis stated.
He added:”I have isolated myself early for this fight, even commenced my preparations early also. I will be putting my all into this fight in the same manner compared to when I was preparing to fight Page for the world title, and seeing that everyone thinks I am out and over the hill, I will show them that I am not. I know I can become a world champion again.”
Lewis last saw ring action in July last year when he boxed and danced his way to a points decision over Dalton. This was after the two met twice before, with the first encounter being declared a technical draw after a clash of heads in the fourth round back in 2005.
The two met again in April last year under the headline ‘Doomsday Two’ where Lewis retired after the
seventh round, giving Dalton a victory that also allowed him to retain his junior middleweight title.
Being affected by the loss which probably tarnished his reputation, the 37-year-old Lewis met with his nemesis for a third time and settled the score three months later, but has not seen any ring action since.
“After suffering that defeat to Dalton, I went and recollected my thoughts to see where I went wrong. After doing such and being given the opportunity to fight him again, I had to prove not only to him or my fans, but also myself that I am superior to him and that will also be the scenario when I face Eastman,” said Lewis.
“He (Eastman) is a good fighter and I give him a lot of credit even though he has never won a world title. I don’t underestimate any of my opponents and it would be the same when I face him.”
“However, having seen him in action against Dalton via television, I think it was a sluggish encounter. He was not near his best, and I wish for him to be at his best when he faces me, as it gives me an added boost when I face an opponent who is at his best and is giving his best,” Lewis stated.
‘Sixhead’/Frank
Looking past Eastman, Lewis sent a challenge to Raul Frank whom he said he would love to meet in the ring at home. He has, promised to give boxing fans another treat for their money.
“I would love to face Raul Frank who has been avoiding me like a plague or dreaded disease, he has even refused to spar with me in the gym in New York and I want to take this opportunity to challenge him. All he has to do is come out of his shell and put his name on the dotted line so we can get it on.”
Frank was slated to face Dalton for the national middleweight title on a card dubbed ‘Judgement Day’, but having suffered an injury to his back while training, he was replaced by Eastman who went on to defeat Dalton and win the title.
Lewis took the opportunity extended to him to thank Lumumba for making his fight against Eastman a reality, Mr. Roy (father of Fusion Sounds) for all the time he put into him and Ras Coe, the proprietor of East Coast Hotel and Restaurant whom he says has always been looking out for him even when he was in New York.
“Special thanks to my trainers Lennox Daniels, Maurice ‘Bizzy Boyce’ and former national amateur heavyweight champion Terrence Poole and all the sparring partners who have been helping with my preparations for this fight.”
‘Sixhead’ Lewis is now undergoing intense training sessions daily at a gym named after him, the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis gym in Calendar Street, Albouys-town.
