Story/Photos by Scott Shaffer
Guyana Chronicle
April 27, 2001

LARRY Marks was nearly a no-show at the final press conference leading up to his challenge of Andrew `Sixhead' Lewis for the WBA welterweight title.

The room was filled with Lewis supporters who were not shy about expressing their belief that Marks was running scared. When Marks finally showed up and made his way to the dais through the crowded room, the Lewis contingent made no secret of their opinion that Marks was in for a short night tomorrow.

When it was his turn to talk, Marks said all the right things. I like being the underdog. He may be hungry, but I'm starving. But as the two fighters posed for pictures (above), the look in Marks' eyes made you wonder how much conviction he had in his words.

Lewis used the photo opportunity as a chance to try to intimidate Marks, letting the challenger know he did not like the way Marks had been talking.

Lewis, bolstered by the presence of his mother, who had just arrived from Guyana, could not have been more confident. No one is going to take my belt, said Lewis.

Although he had just won the title from James Page in his last fight, he already fills a room with the presence of an established champion.

Arum is positioning Lewis for a unification showdown with Shane Mosley, who is generally recognised as the reigning king of the 147-pounders.

There was even some informed speculation that Lewis could hook up with Zab Judah for bragging rights to Brooklyn sometime in 2002 (and as any Brooklynite will tell you, that's at least as important as a world title).

According to manager Nelson Fernandez, Lewis has sparred over 100 rounds in preparation for this fight, many of them with an impressive array of fighters including Ray Olivera, Tony Marshall and Michael Covington.

Once Marks stepped off the dais and out of the earshot of Lewis and company, his words got a little bolder. He just wrote a cheque his butt can't cash, he said. I'm going to use his aggression against him, and I am not going to let him knock me out."

Just last night, Marks attended a fight card in his home state of Delaware.

In addition to the much-anticipated battle of lightweight prospects between Justo Sencion and Julio Diaz, the undercard features the return of John Brown, who seemed to be on his way to a world title until his ear was busted open by Steve Forbes.

Also fighting will be the talented Miguel Cotto, whom promoter Bob Arum is pumping up with nearly-impossible to live up to expectations.

He's the greatest prospect to come out of Puerto Rico and that includes Felix Trinidad, Arum said yesterday. (Fightnews.com).