'Sixhead's' win
What the people say about...
Guyanese boxer Andrew `Sixhead' Lewis gave Guyana her first world boxing title when he defeated former world welterweight champion, James Page in their title fight a few minutes into the morning of February 18. President Bharrat Jagdeo declared the following day a national holiday and ordered that the state give him a house and land. We asked the man/woman-in-the-street about their feelings on Lewis' victory and what should be planned for his homecoming. Their views follow: Linden Cummings - private sector employee: `I had been looking forward to a world title for Guyana ever since. It is true that there were Guyana-born persons who fought and won titles but never carrying the Golden Arrowhead. So he deserves the recognition of not giving up on Guyana. I would only hope that the home and land they will give him will be in a place of his choice and not in a place by Hope Estate Backdam like they were giving Carl Hooper when he applied for land. I expect nothing less than a grand motorcade from Timehri to Georgetown and a civic reception for him. As a patriot I think that he should be given a diplomatic passport and be designated an ambassador-at-large. He has done us proud and indeed opened the door for others to follow.' Elizabeth Emerson - private sector employee: `I love sports and I love boxing and of course I watched the fight. Because he has fought for Guyana, a little unknown country and carried the flag proudly I think that he should be given due recognition. Coming from Albouystown, I think he should be used as a role model to show what persons can achieve not only in the sporting arena but for other pursuits. I would wish him well and hope that he lives up to our high expectations. Children will be looking to him as a role model. Anything that is planned to welcome him home, I would surely take part in.' Yonette Wilburg - teacher: ``Sixhead' Lewis has shown that we can reach the top in any sporting discipline once we apply ourselves as he did. I am looking forward to his homecoming I think as much as others. Well the President has already declared a national holiday in his honour so I would say that people should be given time off to take part in some form of welcome for him when he finally touches down at Timehri. There should be a motorcade for him with he and his entourage at the head. I think that he also deserves a national award for his determination and courage to take up the challenge. I think his life story should be documented. Imagine a book `From the Ghetto to Glory''. Jairaj Putul - spray painter: `He has made us proud to identify with our country and I would like a state-of-the-art boxing gym to be erected in his honour. He has shown what we can achieve and as such I think that more money should be put into boxing and sports in general. Cricket is given some funds but there is need to pay attention to other sports as well. Apart from the glory it brings to us sports keep youngsters in particular from getting into trouble because they must be disciplined to excel. When he returns home I would expect him to be given a hero's welcome. The private sector should chip in with the government to do something tangible. He should also be taken on tours to see the country so that he could speak of it with authority.' Ramlochan Beepat - carpenter: `I feel proud about Lewis' victory. He has brought home a world title that had been evading us for so long. I think that with his victory others will now want to emulate what he has done not only in boxing but in other sports disciplines. I am glad that he has won the title at this time in our political history because he has brought us closer together as the One People and the One Nation we aspire for. That night Guyanese from all walks of life were rooting for him. He did not win it for one section of the Guyanese community. He won it for us all and we are so happy. He is another great example of what the spirit can achieve once you set your goals high. Because of what he has shown and the inspiration we can get from sports, I think that government needs to invest more in the various sporting disciplines. He should be accorded diplomatic status.' Anita Jailall - private sector employee: `I looked at the match and I was at home alone at the time. I was nervous at first but when I saw him in action I became more relaxed. His victory was a sweet moment for me that I had to get on the telephone to my aunt after that the telephone was busy. It was overwhelming so I could imagine how his mother felt. I am looking forward to him taking more titles and putting Guyana on the map. Every time you hear of athletes in the region, you hear about Jamaica, Trinidad and Barbados. The world will hear of Guyana now because of boxing. I am looking forward to being part of a motorcade or whatever activity there will be to welcome him home.' Adrian Roberts - joiner: `The holiday should have been held for his homecoming whenever that might be. I watched the fight. I did not know who `Sixhead' nor Page was until I saw them in the ring. I was also a bit nervous because of Lewis but after the first and second rounds I became very confident of Lewis coming out on top. I think he should be given a diplomatic passport so that he can travel hassle free. As a national holiday was already given I think people should be given time off to be part of a welcome ceremony for him.' Dindyal Jagdeo - mechanic: `His heart was in Guyana when he fought and he meant to make us proud and he did just that. I just love the guy after seeing the fight. Most of us don't know him, have never seen him except for some local boxing fans but he has opened our eyes to the sport. Other family members were not boxing fans and could not imagine at the time why I was so excited and jumping up. They now know and share in the glory. I now want him to beat Sugar Shane Moseley. I know he can beat Oscar De La Hoya. He has to keep on training and being fit. I want him to be given an official reception at the airport when he arrives in Guyana. He should be given the same treatment we give to visiting dignitaries.' A contributor: `I felt good. It was our first world title but I am sure he will now go on to add to his collection before he retires. It was the first time I was seeing him fight and based on this fight I think he looked very capable and determined. He now has to hold the title for a while. From the inception Page did not look his best so I was confident of Lewis winning. I think to honour him, the state should rebuild the gym in Albouystown in his honour. He will now be seen as a role model for others to emulate. Because of what he has achieved I feel that we as a country, in whatever spheres we operate in, should invest more in sports.' Shawn Adams - businessman: `I did not look at the fight. I do not know why. Probably it was because I did not think that he would win. But when I awoke I heard that he had won the fight and I made it my duty to look at the replay. I feel so proud. I think he made all Guyanese proud bringing back the title. I do not know why President Jagdeo called an impromptu holiday. I think when he arrives home we could have done with it. Many of us hadn't the money to really celebrate. I would have liked some time to plan for the holiday instead it affected my business somewhat. Anyway if another holiday could be planned to coincide with his return home that would be good. Anyway, he deserves a hero's welcome so I would expect the red carpet rolled out for him and a motorcade to escort him to the city and a civic reception with steel bands and a street celebration after.'
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