`Six Heads' triumphs! - gives Guyana first world boxing title by Sharief Khan Guyana Chronicle February 19, 2001 President declares Andrew `Six Heads' Lewis national holiday today ANDREW `Six Heads' Lewis just couldn't believe it when I eventually caught up with him yesterday in Las Vegas. "Oh God, man! That's good! That's wonderful!" he kept exclaiming when I told him that President Bharrat Jagdeo had declared today a national holiday in his honour. "A national holiday for me?" He was all excited and his excitement was understandable; it is something that has been rippling through the nation and among his country folk scattered around the world since he, in fine style, made American James Page eat his words early yesterday morning. I spoke with Lewis on the phone as he and his manager Nelson Fernandez and entourage were in line to join a plane back to New York. "They have made tomorrow a national holiday for me in Guyana", I heard him shouting to everyone around him. "What are they calling the holiday?", he wondered. I told him it was his day and it could be called whatever he wanted. "Let them name it Andrew `Six Heads' Lewis Day!" he exclaimed. In a media statement just hours after watching the fight with Lewis' townsfolk in Albouystown, Georgetown, Mr Jagdeo declared, "He has done our country proud; his victory is a victory for all Guyanese." President Jagdeo said he has also instructed that the state provide the Guyanese hero with a house and land upon his return to Guyana. "A house and land for me?" Lewis asked, trying to let it all settle in. "Please tell them to set it up for me. I coming home soon", he said, sharing the good news again with his manager. "Tell them I want a big sign around the house saying `Andrew `Six Heads' Lewis house!" It was hard to escape being caught up in the emotions of the moment, sharing in the joy of a Guyanese who at last has scaled heights none of his countrymen had done before him. And his declaration, in his distinct Guyanese accent that had the HBO commentators saying he was talking too fast, that this was an honour for his country Guyana, warmed him even more to our hearts. Youth, Sports and Culture Minister, Ms Gail Teixeira and the President's Aide-de-Camp Major Francis Abraham, flew to Las Vegas to represent the President at the historic occasion and Lewis warmly embraced the minister in congratulations in the ring after he had put paid to Page. His manager Fernandes said the camp has spoken to the President and Teixeira and promised that Lewis would be coming home within two weeks. But he would be able to spend only a "couple of days" as he has to be in training camp soon to prepare for a title defence on April 28. "We are looking at the top five guys in the world" for a fight most likely in Europe, Fernandes said. "We want to show the whole world that Guyana has the best fighter on the planet", he proclaimed. Lewis' opponent will be either the number three in the current rankings, Damgaard from the Netherlands, Michael Trabant from Germany (ranked number five) or Alessandro Duran of Italy, ranked number seven. "Bring on Shane Mosely, bring on Oscar De La Hoya. I want to fight them", Lewis declared after the fight. "We are ready for them", Fernandes said on the phone, the group next in line waiting to be called to board the flight to New York. "If they want to fight us, let them give us about a week and we will be ready for them." The manager said Lewis was "very happy" not only for himself but for "all the Guyanese who believe in him." He said the victory came for `Six Heads' because the Guyanese has given 110 per cent. "He's a good listener, very smart in the ring and he's very hungry...he wants to make the whole world aware of how good he is", he added. Reacting to the victory, President Jagdeo said: "Congratulations to Andrew `Six Heads' Lewis. He has done our country proud, his victory is a victory for all Guyanese. "I am pleased that `Six Heads' Lewis has won the title because this is something we have been looking forward to for decades. It is indeed a remarkable national achievement and must be a cherished moment for our nation." Mr Jagdeo called on all Guyanese to use today as a day to celebrate this victory and to honour "our new hero". "Let us all come together to celebrate this grand national achievement and show our champion how much we appreciate his victory", he urged. Minister Teixeira communicated the President's congratulations to Lewis and the statement said he was due to speak to the boxer later. His mother fasted three days before the fight `I never see Page fight, I did not know who he was but when I see him enter the ring, I see victory for my brother.' - Laran Lewis by Abigail Kippins "SIX just performed. He did it from his heart, for his family and for the Guyanese people. We know he would win", declared a beaming Laran Lewis yesterday. She said her brother, Andrew `Six Heads' Lewis, was a notably good fighter and was destined to make Guyana proud. The morning following the midnight fight in which he became Guyana's first world boxing champion, Lewis' family was still basking in the aftermath of his victory. They, however, expressed regret that the family members were "prevented" from witnessing a major event in Guyana's history when their brother and son defeated American James Page winning the World Boxing Association (WBA) Welterweight Championship in Las Vegas. However, they said it was "a time to remember" as family members and friends gathered on Hunter Street, Albouystown, Georgetown to watch the fight. A large screen was erected on the street in front his home where family and friends gathered to watch the event, President Bharrat Jagdeo among them. But even before the fight started, the family had known that the 30-year-old boxer would emerge victorious, since they said they have immeasurable confidence in his abilities. "We got confidence in Andrew more than the `big ones', and we always support him though some people are against him", Laran said. She said their confidence and the many prayers, coupled with his mother, Yvonne Eversley fasting for three days for his success, proved sufficient. "Before the fight start I know we getting victory. I never see Page fight, I did not know who he was but when I see him enter the ring, I see victory for my brother", Laran said recalling that days before the fight she was telling everyone that her brother would be triumphant. Excitedly relating the joy and pride the family was experiencing while the fight was in progress, Laran said the only regret was that the family, especially her mother, could not have been there with him. But the celebration continues and there are reportedly many activities in the making to celebrate Lewis' victory. Following in the footsteps of his father, Sammy Marcus and grandfather who excelled in the sport during their time, Lewis had left the country for the United States four years ago in pursuit of his dream to become a professional boxer. His father, however, missed witnessing `Six Heads' latest achievement. He died some years ago. But through a dream by a relative, he gave an insight to his son's victory, the family said. "...he dreamed Marcus appear to him smiling, we know he telling we that `Six' gon win", Laran said. And this was what she told Lewis when he called the family before the fight: "We know you gon win Six. You're the champion." He also called the family minutes after the fight, Laran said. The Chronicle was there when he called again yesterday and witnessed the major family excitement as he was bombarded with congratulatory messages over the phone and urged to hurry home so they can all celebrate. His two daughters, Anastacia, six, and Lisa, five, were also pretty excited. Both of them recalled seeing their father "beat up Page". They too congratulated their father, informing him that they had witnessed the fight. Relatives said his son, Andrew (Junior) Lewis and mother, Georgia Olive are in the U.S. with him. According to Laran, Lewis is a very nice, quiet person who is always joking. She said that although Lewis dominates in his sport, he is not an aggressive person and avoids confrontation outside the ring. He is not really a warrior. He simply does his best and shows his tough side when he is in the ring, she said. And he is highly respected for his values and determination to make his hometown and Guyana proud. Residents of Albouystown came out in full support of Lewis last night, many of them declaring that they knew he would have won but it was only left to be seen. Those with whom the Chronicle spoke had only commendable remarks to make of Lewis, and many have started celebrating his victory individually. Mr Heston Boswick, Chairman of the `Justice for Jermaine Committee', of which `Six Heads' is a member, said for the past years, all the members of that committee have had confidence in the person they know Lewis to be, especially in his career. "We know that he would have been the world champion, we had that premonition that Guyana would get world recognition from Six Heads", Boswick said. "Now he has made it a reality and I have a slight headache because of the overwhelming joy. People say no good can come out of Nazareth, and Albouystown is being classified as Nazareth. "And lo and behold, this area which people call the ghetto, a depressed community, produced someone who put the country on the world map", he stated. Congratulating `Six Heads' for his outstanding victory, Boswick urged that he continue the good works. He said the Justice for Jermaine Committee will be organising activities to celebrate Lewis' win. Mr Frank Solomon, President of the Albouystown Youth Foundation said he knew Lewis a long time ago. He said he witnessed Lewis train in New York and had even watched the fight at Lewis' home last night. "We expect that he would beat Page but he waited too long. We should have gotten this title earlier!", a hoarse Solomon declared. He said pandemonium broke out in Albouystown when the fight ended and screams filled the air. "When Lewis won that fight last night, it was for the whole Albouystown. Everybody started hugging and carrying on. It was great", he said. According to Solomon, though it was expected, he had not yet come to grips with the fact that Lewis is the holder of that title. "I ain't get into the reality of it yet, I am still basking in the glory. Since the first knockdown we knew..." Follow the goings-on in Guyana in Guyana Today If you do not see the 'Guyana: Land of Six Peoples' drop-down menu on the left then please click here to enter through the front door which will give you additional options and information.