I'll break Guyana's world title jinx,
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I'll break Guyana's world title jinx,
-- says `Sixhead' LewisBy Steve Ninvalle in New Jersey
Stabroek News
February , 2000
Andrew Lewis now believes that his dream is coming through. Years of hard work and sacrifices are about to pay dividends. In about 90 days or less he will attempt to become the first Guyanese, fighting under the Golden Arrowhead, to win a world boxing title.
"I'm focused, ready and waiting to put my country on the map. I have had dreams that the day would come. It's now down to mere days for me to realise that dream, Lewis told Stabroek Sport from his Utica Avenue residence.
On Friday the Guyanese signed to challenge World Boxing Association welterweight champion James Page for the title. The fight, promoted by Don King has not yet been given a specific date and venue but it is expected to be held in the first week of April.
"I am now comfortable. I'm glad that the signing is behind us. I can now focus on my goal. I just need to know the fight date then everything will be settled," a confident Lewis said.
Quizzed on what he thought of his opponent Lewis disclosed that Page is a little taller than him. "He had to be of some quality to become champion but I plan on testing him. He has skinny legs. We will see how well his foundation can stand up to bombs. This will be no waltz," the national welterweight champion promised.
Lewis acknowledged that he has learnt from the defeats of his seven compatriots who have fought a total of 10 times for world titles. "I think that the killer instinct was missing in a lot of my countrymen and fear had taken its place when they stepped into the ring."
Promising not to follow in their footsteps, Lewis predicted that he will make a do-or-die attempt to break Guyana's world title jinx. "I have seen their mistakes and don't intend to make the same. I have always said that I have never feared any of my opponents. It's the same thing with Page.
I don't want the WBA title, I need it and come hell or high water it will be mine even if have to die trying, the 29-year-old `Albouystown Cyclone' declared.
He noted that his motivation comes from knowing that there are youths in Albouystown who will wish to emulate him. "I know that I have proven that Albouystown does not produce one kind as many people think. In the near future people will know that Albouystown has produced a world champion."
On September 13 1980 Patrick Ford became the first Guyanese to fight for a world title. Ford lost a controversial 15-round decision to Mexican and WBC featherweight champion Salvador Sanchez in Texas.
Patrick Ford (twice), Lennox Blackmoore (once) , Terrence Alli (thrice), Wayne Harris (once), Anthony `The Pearl' Andrews (once), Andrew Murray (once) and Tony Marshall (once) are the Guyanese who have fought for world titles to date. Blackmoore, who was kayoed in round two by then junior welterweight champion Aaron `The Hawk' Pryor, had the roughest time of all, Lewis opined.
"Andrews, who is a very good fighter, did show what could have happened if he had the killer instinct," Lewis said referring to Andrews' defeat at the hands of then WBA middleweight champion Jorge Castro. "I think fear and lack of killer instinct defeated Andrews, not Castro."
In a voice loaded with emotion, Lewis also the NABA champion said, "I want everyone in Guyana to know that I will not let them down. Yes, they have heard it before from other fighters but not this warrior from Albouystown. I know that the people home are 100 percent behind me and I'm 100 percent sure that they will not be disappointed."
Carrying the pseudonym of "The Mighty Quinn" Page, who will turn 29 on All Fools Day (April 1), has 19 knockouts in 28 professional fights. He has been defeated by Stevie Johnson, Robert West and Zack Padilla. As an amateur Page racked in a record of 56 wins and 4 defeats. He won the WBA title on October 10, 1998 in Paris, following a decision over Andrie Pestriaev. In 20 fights the undefeated Lewis has one less knockout than the 5' 11" champion.
