Guyanese boxers crowd world ratings
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Guyanese boxers crowd world ratings
-- Murray latest entry in top 10By Steve Ninvalle in New Jersey
Stabroek News
January 27, 2000
FORMER Commonwealth and Latin America welterweight champion Andrew Murray, retracing his steps is now back among the top rated welterweights in the world.
Following his stunning knockout of the previously unbeaten Michael Covington whom dispatched inside four rounds late last year, Murray has again found favour with a world body.
In its latest release the International Boxing Federation (IBF) has scooped Murray into its number six spot making the southpaw one of three Guyanese boxers elevated into that organisation's welterweight top 10 listing.
Compatriot Raul Frank is still the IBF top contender for Felix Trinidad's title while Albouystown Cyclone, Andrew "Sixhead" Lewis is keeping tongues wagging after breaking into the IBF circle at number 10.
Murray, who in 1995 made an unsuccessful bid for Ike Quartey's WBA championship, fell out of the world ratings for approximately one year while campaigning in the USA.
His carnage of Covington proved the catalyst towards his recall to the top 10 and could pave the way for a possible second world title bid. The latest release of the rankings has created history for Guyana as it is the first time that three boxers from the Land of many Waters have been simultaneously ranked within the top 10 division by any major world boxing organisation.
Of the three welterweights, Lewis and Frank seem more likely to fight for world titles in the near future. Frank, the rules state, should either take on champion Trinidad or number two ranked `Sugar' Shane Moseley if Trinidad gives up the title. Trinidad has indicated that after he defeats WBA junior welterweight champion David Reid in Las Vegas on March 3, he is through fighting as a welterweight.
The withdrawal of Trinidad should see the IBF mandate, which states that the number one contender (Frank) meet number two (Moseley) for the vacant crown, being enforced. In the IBF Frank is followed by lightning-quick Moseley, Vernon Forrest, Oba Carr, Shannon Taylor, Murray, Sean Sullivan, Vince Phillips, Sam Garr and Lewis.
Lewis is still rated number two by the World Boxing Association which now has Oscar De La Hoya in the number one position. He is expected to travel to Florida today accompanied by manager Nelson Fernandez to sign a contract to fight WBA champion James Page. In addition the 29-year-old former denizen of Albouystown, is rated sixth by the World Boxing Organisation (WBO).
Another Guyanese Tony Marshall remains the World Boxing Council (WBC) top rated super welterweight (junior middleweight) contender and is expected to receive a world title crack in April. Meanwhile, cruiserweight Andre `Stone' Purlette is the only Guyanese to be ranked by the WBA, IBF and WBC, holding down positions of eight, five and six respectively. Purlette and Lewis, both power punchers are undefeated so far.
The 28-year-old Cancer-born Murray improved his record to 26-4-1 with 18 knockouts after disposing of Covington. In an interview with Stabroek Sport last September, Murray had pointed out that he has not reached his peak but is getting there. "If I'm not a world champion by age 30 then it's bye bye to the sport" Murray said then.
A © page from: Guyana: Land of Six Peoples