By Steve Ninvalle
Stabroek News
May 22, 2001

For the first time in an unblemished career World Boxing Association welterweight champion Andrew `Sixhead' Lewis came very close to being floored.

And it was not a James Page or `Sugar' Shane Mosley who attempted to do what others can only dream of, but a gathering of tiny fans that almost brought one of Guyana's most beloved sons to his knees.

Lewis was mobbed by a chanting crowd of school children outside the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport yesterday afternoon as he arrived there to pay an official visit to Minister Gail Teixeira.

As he stepped out of the vehicle Lewis was almost swept off his feet by the puny enthusiastic fans who had eagerly waited for him to put in an appearance.

The jubilant crowd, which consisted mostly of pupils from the Sacred Heart Primary, rushed Guyana's first ever world champion and pulled all tricks from the bag in effort to out do each other to get his attention and autograph.

"This is the best greeting I have had in my life. It was like a surprise party. The children really made me feel great," Lewis told Stabroek Sport.

The champion's two bodyguards, who in previous times performed with honour, were almost rendered helpless on this occasion as Lewis was covered by a sea of tiny hands and some who even held on to his ankles.

One young female told Stabroek Sport that it was the first time she was able to meet a champion of any sport. "I only see him on the television and in the newspapers but today I was able to meet him and have an autograph to prove it."

Moving through the crowd proved arduous and the champion took approximately five minutes to complete the task of reaching the safety of the ministry's compound.

Lewis agreed that he was overwhelmed by the reception. "I came here not knowing that there was this much children waiting on me. I thought that everything had cooled down. The children really made me feel great," Lewis said.

Following an autograph signing session Lewis met with employees of the ministry then had a closed door meeting with Teixeira.

He will continue his intinerary of activities today with a visit to Linden town which will commence with a motocade from Millie's Junction at 11 a.m. The visit also includes a reception and a visit to Young Lions boxing gym.

The power-punching champion returns to New York next week Tuesday to commence training for a July 21 ring date.