By Isaiah Chappelle
Guyana Chronicle
May 21, 2001

WORLD champion Andrew `Sixhead' Lewis yesterday implored sportsmen to be focused and acknowledge the Almighty and they, too, can become world-famous.

Lewis was Guest of Honour at a sports symposium hosted by the Guyana Boxing Board of Control and the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Guyana's first world champion said the road to success was long and hard.

"I sacrificed a lot. It wasn't easy for me to win the world championship. I used to train really hard. I went into three camps back-to-back. It is now I am on a little rest. Sometimes I got one token (train fare) to go to the gym and I gotta ask somebody for a token to just go back home," the champion disclosed.

Lewis added: "I was just dedicated. I was always thinking to myself that I would win a world championship. Some told me that I will not get the opportunity to fight for the world title. But I prayed to God so that I could put the right foot forward because I wanted to make everybody in Guyana feel proud."

But the now celebrity boxer said any young boxer could become a world champion.

"All they have to do is dedicate themselves and get the right trainer, the right management to put them through the routine," Lewis said.

`Sixhead' Lewis acknowledged the contribution former world title contender Terrence Alli made to place Guyana on the map when he was fighting for the world title.

The world champion said he wanted to fight in Guyana to bring back boxing from the doldrums.

Lewis, however, pointed out that he will have to continue campaigning in the USA, because the facilities and sparring partners are there.

The champion touched on his rigid training routine and the importance of diet. He did not follow a diet for the Larry Marks encounter and had to lose five pounds.

Asked if he would visit former President Desmond Hoyte, the world champion said: "I'm not into politics, but Hoyte was a great leader. I would like to see Hoyte and (President) Jagdeo. I would like to see everybody of importance."

In his address, president of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association, K. Juman-Yassin pointed out what Lewis has achieved he more or less achieved on his own, along with his trainer and close friends.

"It is not fair for our young athletes to go this far all by themselves. Let's hope Andrew's success will move the government and businessmen to do more for boxing," Juman-Yassin said.

The GOA boss pointed out that boxing gave Guyana the country's only Olympic medal and now the first world class title.

But boxers have to work for a livelihood and train, or many without a job still have to train to do well.

Juman-Yassin called on the world champion to use his status to impress upon the government and businesses the need for a facility where boxers can train everyday with a stipend to support themselves and any little family.

Other speakers included GBBC treasurer, Andrew Thorne, who recalled the fight between `Sixhead' Lewis and Terrence Alli which he refereed. He said when he stopped the fight in favour of Lewis he was criticised but he saw in Lewis a world champion who hit like a truck.

S.D. Abdool chaired the proceedings.

The Dynamic Force Quartet performed two selections and presented the champion with a CD containing their songs and professed they will be the first Guyanese Grammy Awardees.

Donna Bagot recited a poem capturing Lewis' performances in the ring.