Lewis signs to fight Page
By Steve Ninvalle in New Jersey The icing was put on the cake at approximately 4.10 p.m. on Friday when Guyana's welterweight champion Andrew `Sixhead' Lewis signed to fight World Boxing Association (WBA) champion James Page. The event took place in the office of promoter Don King in Deerfield Beach, Florida. The hard-hitting `Albouystown Cyclone' will make a bid for Page's belt sometime in early April as a final date and venue for the bout still have to be decided. In an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport Lewis' manager Nelson Fernandez confirmed that the lead up to the signing had its fair share of wrangling but did nor require a purse bid as he was able to iron things out with King. Fernandez claimed that at one point on Thursday after failing to agree on a figure for his fighter's purse he was prepared return to New Jersey without signing. "I considered the initial offer by Don King's agents to be very low. They were telling us that after Lewis wins we will make big money but I'm too old to live a dream," Fernandez said. While remaining reticent on the amount first offered, Fernandez would only divulge that it was in the lower five figures. "After intense and very loud negotiations we ended up in high five figures. They could not sell a dream to me," Fernandez insisted "I think that we have a good deal now. We were able to meet with Don King and make a better deal." A purse bid would have been necessary if the two parties could not come to terms on the amount of money Lewis will be paid. There is a distinct possibility that the fight will be held during the first week in April since King is aiming for that time. The contract stipulates that the 12-rounder should be held before the end of April. "There is no doubt in my mind that the fight will be held at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas," Fernandez said adding that King confessed that the bout was a fight he wanted to see. The bout will be televised but Fernandez said King could not say which channel will carry the signals. "At this time we do not know if it's Showtime or any other but we were promised that Andrew Lewis will get a great amount of exposure," the manager said. The two fighters had a chance to size each other up on Friday. Lewis and Page, whom Fernandez claimed just over a week ago was released after being treated for alcohol abuse, met in the lobby of King and were respectful to each other. Fernandez said that after seeing Lewis, the WBA champion walked over saying " we are going to do this" to which Lewis replied "we sure are." In November 1998 Page, in preparation for a title defence against Jose Lopez, had a chance to feel the power of the Guyanese when Lewis was secured as a sparring partner. "After two sessions they sent Lewis home. He was too much for them," said Fernandez. "There is no animosity between the two camps. Lewis and Page were respectful to each other and Page's trainer (Buddy McGirt) and Lewis' trainer Angel de Jesus are the best of friends." The lack of a specific fight date has disrupted the encampment plans for the 29-year-old. The NABA welterweight champion was scheduled to travel to the Larry Holmes Gym in the Pocono Mountain, Philadelphia for a five-week training stint. "That has to be put on hold for the moment. Although it has disrupted plans we welcome it since its more time and Andrew can only get better." The contract does not rule that Page be granted a rematch if he loses but that Lewis fight one fight for Don King Productions if he wins. "We however made it clear that after victory we want to unify the titles," Fernandez disclosed. Asked about Page's present condition Fernandez stated that the WBA champion needs to do a lot of work. "He was about 167 pounds when I saw him. He doesn't look ready and may need 10 weeks of work to be whipped into shape. On the other hand Lewis is ready right now. He was 149 when he came out the gym a few days ago and Don King, after hugging him, remarked that he was the hardest man he had felt." "We indicated to Don that we wanted Lewis' mother here for the fight and he promised that it will be so." After knocking out 18 of his 20 opponents and ascending to the number two position on the WBA list the undefeated Lewis earned the right to challenge Page. His title bid may be the first by any Guyanese this century. Lewis, a former Olympian who represented Guyana at the 1992 Games in Barcelona, Spain is regarded by many boxing buffs to be Guyana's main ticket to a world title. Just over a week ago the former denizen of Albouystown had assured all Guyana there is no need to worry about the outcome of the upcoming bout as he will undoubtedly bring home the bacon. Efforts yesterday to get a comment from the local champion proved futile.
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