VIEWPOINT
by Dr James Rose
Guyana Chronicle
May 22, 2001

GUYANA'S first celebrity boxer, Andrew `Sixhead' Lewis, had a `shock' reception by schoolchildren at the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport, Main Street, yesterday.

"It was like a shock," the boxing champion told Chronicle Sport. He added: "It was a surprise to see all those kids. I feel so nice, I feel so great."

The World Boxing Association welterweight champion was on his way to pay a courtesy call on Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport, Gail Teixeira.

When the car pulled up in front of the compound, the schoolchildren who were waiting in the driveway swarmed the vehicle, pinning him as they shrieked with abundant joy and excitement, shouting "Sixhead, Sixhead".

Many tried to touch the champion, while other pushed books for autographs. All he could do was surrender to their spontaneous reaction, hands in the air.

For several minutes, Lewis could not move, with even Minister Teixeira who was going to meet him on the bridge, being caught in the near stampede and there was a traffic jam.

Eventually, the champion made his way to the gate which the ministry's employees tried closing to contain the children from stampeding into the compound.

Ten-year-old Jeanetta Todd of Sacred Heart School told Chronicle Sport she was passing and saw the crowd and decided to join them.

Another Scared Heart student, Davinci Ferreira, saw the people waiting in the compound and found out that Sixhead was arriving shortly.

Both students did not get autographs because of the ensuing confusion when the champion arrived and were waiting patiently for it at the gate, hoping to catch the champion when he was leaving the ministry.

Form One student of Kingston Community High, Travis James, was more fortunate because he got the champion's autograph. The 12-year-old was also passing and saw the crowd around the champion and joined them.

Eventually, the champion was whisked into the building and was introduced to the ministry's staff by the Minister who shortly after had a private audience with the world champion.

When Lewis re-emerged from the building, there were just a few students still waiting, while passers-by on the street came over to see him.

The champion was then taken to the museum for yet another tour. (Isaiah Chappelle).