SEVEN months after the Young Achievers boxing gym and Independence Boulevard were renamed after Guyana’s first world champion, Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis, construction will be formally commissioned today on the gym where the world famous boxer started his career.

Lewis gave Guyana the country’s first world title when he inflicted a seventh round knock out over American James Page on February 17 for the World Boxing Association welterweight belt. He successfully defended the belt on April 28.

Inspired by the historic success of Lewis, the gym and boulevard were renamed on May 19 in a ceremony at the gym during the boxer’s triumphant return home.

At that groundbreaking ceremony, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds received the plaque, which will be installed on the cornerstone when the gym is reconstructed into an ultra modern sport facility that will service all sportspersons.

Lewis began his boxing career in 1982 when he was 11 years old under George Oprecht. The longstanding coach and trainer said the gym was first located in James Street, Albouystown, in a backyard which flooded when it rained and there could be no training for three to four months.

The then Prime Minister, Hamilton Green, was approached and the present gym was constructed on the Boulevard in 1984.

Green attended the renaming ceremony of the gym in May as the Mayor of Georgetown and announced that Independence Boulevard will be renamed Andrew Sixhead Lewis Boulevard, the second name change. The punt trench was formerly called Punt Trench Dam after it was filled, and later renamed Independence Boulevard.

The $16.2 million contract to construct the modern sports facility was awarded to contractor Alex Mahaica.

President Bharrat Jagdeo will attend today’s ceremony that starts at 17:00 hrs. Mayor Green, President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control K.D. Persaud, President of the Guyana Olympic Association and Guyana Amateur Boxing Association K. Juman-Yassin, Coach Oprecht, boxers and community leaders will also attend.