Ex-Guyanese boxers predict Lewis victory
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Five days before he faces his toughest challenge of a nine-year professional career Andrew Lewis has gathered the support of the Guyanese boxing buffs in New York and further afield. Of five boxers interviewed by Stabroek Sport, all gave Lewis the thumbs up for his imminent clash for the World Boxing Association welterweight title. Lennox Blackmoore a former Guyana and Commonwealth lightweight champion and one time number one ranked WBA junior welterweight contender has predicted that a victory within the distance for his compatriot. Lewis takes on American James Page at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas Nevada on Saturday for the vacant World Boxing Association welterweight crown. "Lewis should be Guyana's first world champion. I see him taking the fight to Page from the opening round. That has to be his fight plan. If Lewis sticks to his fight plan then the fight is over within eight rounds," Blackmoore told Stabroek Sport via telephone yesterday. "In addition Blackmoore warned that the 18 months lay off that Page has had from the sport would not be to the former champion's advantage. I also feel that Page's layoff would hurt him. If Lewis fights to plan then Page is in for a rough night," Lewis' one time trainer said. Blackmoore's reasoning was echoed by former Guyana middleweight champion Brian Muller who now resides in Las Vegas. "Page is dangerous. Andrew Lewis should go at him early. I can't see Lewis losing this one. Page does not live the life of a fighter, Muller opined. Reggie Ford, who represented Guyana at the 1972 Olympics, was a little more direct in likening Lewis to boxing greats Aaron `The Hawk' Pryor and Henry Armstrong. "As long as he is in good condition Page cannot beat him. Lewis has the ability to shift from left to right. He stays on you, he frustrates opponents. It is known that Page is at a loss when forced to retreat. Lewis has to force him back, it has to be his game play," Reggie Ford said. "I'm not taking anything away from Page but in all fairness and honesty he has not faced anyone like the "Albouystown Cyclone". As I see it Lewis has to out-muscle his opponent in the first six rounds then box for the remainder of the fight. If the fight reaches the ninth round, I don't believe that Page will make the full distance. I give Lewis a 70 percent advantage of bringing home the title. Everyone knows it's long over due." Tony Marshall, who was at one time the highest ranked junior middleweight by the World Boxing Council, said Page never impressed him. "I have told Andrew Lewis that he has just got to go out there and do the job, said Marshall, who will have his first fight following his defeat at the hands of WBC champion on March 2 on Sports Network ESPN. Meanwhile, Patrick Ford, the man who brought Guyana closest to winning a world crown has reasoned that will, and not skill will determine the winner on Saturday. "My only concern is that Lewis does not have the experience when it comes to top opponents. He has not really fought any top boxers. Page can punch and he is a slick fighter," Ford cautioned. Touching on the almost unanimous decision that Lewis should pressure Page early Ford, another Guyanese to win the Commonwealth title, pointed out that there are benefits to be derived from imposing early on an opponent. "I don't want to be partial but the best strategy for a fighter is what he has trained to do. If that does not work then you have to go to a backup play. Page can punch. You don't move into power, you move away or around. He also has a good left hook and strangely enough, a left hook always promotes problems for a southpaw. On the other hand, Lewis keeps the pressure on. He doesn't let up. "Whenever it is all said and done boxing is like cricket. It's a game of glorious uncertainties. This fight will be a test of will rather than skill. In a test of will Lewis' background should pull him through," the former Commonwealth featherweight champion concluded. In a recent interview with internet website Fightnews.com WBC number two ranked cruiserweight Wayne `Big Truck' Braithwaite said he was 99 percent sure that Page will be beaten. The southpaw Lewis touched down in Las Vegas Nevada yesterday afternoon and will come face to face with Page at a press conference scheduled for 11 a.m. (3 p.m. Guyana time) tomorrow at the MGM Grand Hotel.
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