By Steve Ninvalle
in New York
Stabroek News
April 24, 2001

WORLD Boxing Association welterweight champion Andrew `Sixhead' Lewis has made a firm commitment.

He is ready and raring to go and will not take any over confidence into the ring on Saturday when he defends his World Boxing Association welterweight title against American Larry Marks on Saturday night.

"I'm confident but not over confident. When I go into the ring it will be to demand my respect, do what I gotta to and get out," the first ever Guyanese world champion told Stabroek News from the Fernwood Resort in Philadelphia where he is encamped.

Last week Lewis was quoted by internet website Fightnew.com as saying that he would knock out Marks early, which was interpreted as a hint of over confidence by boxing pundits in Guyana.

"What I'm saying is that I'm well prepared. I don't think that Marks is as prepared as I am. Everyone knows that I'm a hard puncher and like to get things done early. So if he (Marks) is not on the look out he could be in for a short night," Lewis said.

A native of Delaware, Marks stated that the way to defeat the champion is to use a lot of movement. "He is a southpaw so I have to spin him toward his right hand and stay away from his power so I can hit him with my power," Marks told Fightnews.

The 30-year-old undefeated champion laced up gloves yesterday afternoon for the last time before the fight to engage in four rounds of sparring against fellow Guyanese world rated junior middleweight Tony Marshall.

"I'm much better prepared for this fight than when I won the title. My sparring partners are of a better quality now and I'm in top shape."

Guyanese middleweight Ron `Cobra' Roberts, another of Lewis' sparring partners believes that the champion will easily take care of his opponent. "I can't see it going past round six. Lewis is definitely ready for this fight," Roberts said.

Marshall shied away from making a knockout prediction but reasoned that Marks will be in for a tough time. "Lewis will bring something into the fight that Marks has never seen before. Lewis is mentally prepared and I see him getting it over as early as possible," said the former World Boxing Council number one ranked junior middlweight.

Preparation for the defence included more than 80 rounds of sparring. World Boxing Council number six ranked junior welterweight Ray Oliveria, the only fighter to defeat another Guyanese world rater Vivian Harris, has been a part of Lewis' sparring team.

The `Albouystown Cyclone', who was joined by his mother Yvonne Eversley and sister Laren on Saturday, makes a grand return to New York tomorrow and will stay at the Pennsylvania Hotel in Manhattan.

Lewis won his title on February 17 when referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight after one minute 13 seconds of the seventh round to save former champion James Page further punishment. The victory sparked unprecedented celebration in Guyana and the government promised a house and plot of land to new hero.

He has promised to return to Guyana soon after Saturday's fight. The bout will be staged at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan and has its main supporting bout a lightweight contest between Julio Diaz and Justo Sencion.

Meanwhile, tickets to the fight are being swallowed up by Guyanese here in New York. Seon Bristol, a ticket agent in Brooklyn told Stabroek News that only a few ringside tickets still on hand.