By Steve Ninvalle
in New Jersey
Stabroek News
April 25, 2001

RESPECTED boxing magazine Ring is the latest authority in the sport to sing praises for recently crowned World Boxing Association welterweight champion Andrew `Sixhead' Lewis.

In its July 2001 edition Ring saluted the Guyanese claiming that he is the breath of fresh air the 147-pound division badly needed following the exodus of former champion Felix Trinidad and Oscar De La Hoya.

Ring named the hard-hitting Lewis the Fighter of the Month and has him down as the welterweight division's best puncher ahead of World Boxing Council champion `Sugar' Shane Mosley.

"His shockingly dominant seventh-round stoppage of James Page let everyone know that Mosley isn't completely safe", Ring wrote. The magazine, also known as the bible of boxing, dedicated five pages to Lewis who it claimed is a legitimate threat to lightning-quick Mosley. "I feel good that they recognized that I have class," the southpaw Lewis said in an interview with Stabroek Sport yesterday. "Not many Guyanese are recognized in that way. So it makes me feel proud, like a real champion, you know what I mean," said Lewis.

Lewis' chin also came in for special mention form Ring that claimed that the undefeated former resident of Albouystown went from little-known prospect to ferocious champion and from being fighter with the nifty nickname to Fighter of the Month.

The Sagittarian-born champion won the hearts of boxing lovers in Guyana and further a field after his seventh round TKO of James Page, which earned him the vacant WBA title two months ago.

"They have not seen the best of me as yet. This is like the calm before the storm. There is much more to Andrew Lewis. I'll be showing some of it on Saturday night," the WBA champion promised.

Lewis' latest title makes him the first Guyanese this century to receive such a rating by Ring. On Saturday Lewis will have his first defence of the welterweight crown he won on February 17 against American Larry Marks. The American has lost thrice with one defeat at the hands of Guyanese Andrew Murray.

Lewis wrapped up sparring for his fight against Marks on Monday after going four rounds with Tony Marshall. Shadow boxing and bag and pad work Lewis will engage in until Saturday.

"When ever you have to defend your title it's like it does not belong to you until you win that fight. That is another thing that keeps me motivated. They are many out there who want my title and will be training hard to take it.

That's why I have to stay on top of my game. I have to keep up my high level of performance," Lewis said.

At 12 noon today Marks and Lewis meet at the pre fight press conference scheduled for the Local Restaurant in Manhattan. Home Box Office (HBO) will televise Saturday's fight live from 11:30 pm.