By Steve Ninvalle
Guyana's World Boxing Association welterweight champion Andrew `Sixhead' Lewis has promised to win convincingly the second defence of his title on Saturday night.
Stabroek News
July 26, 2001
Speaking with Stabroek Sport via telephone yesterday shortly after attending a pre fight press conference from Los Angeles, Lewis said that he plans dedicating the victory to "every Guyanese" at home and abroad.
"I am stronger now than when I fought James Page and Larry Marks and I intend to win this one convincingly," the champion said. Lewis will matche gloves with Costa Rican mandatory challenger Ricardo Mayorga on Saturday night at the Staple Centre in Los Angeles.
"He (Mayorga) was talking up a lot when we were at the press conference but you know that James Page was also talking up a lot and I dissed him. He does not have the power of Page and I plan going to work on him early."
Lewis won the title in February after knocking out Page in the seventh round. The champion's manager Nelson Fernandez said that laughter erupted during the press conference after Mayorga vowed that the bout would have the fastest knockout of the night.
"He never said who would be knocked out," Fernandez explained. Asked is it is imperative that the `Albouystown Cyclone' win by knockout Fernandez assured that Lewis will be answering many of his critics.
"A victory is a victory. Of course I would like `Six' to win by knockout. Are we looking for a knockout? I'll have to say no but I hope it happens. `Six' will be answering a lot of questions on Saturday," Fernandez said.
Describing the challenger, Fernandez said the Central American is about one inch taller than the 5' 8" Guyanese, orthodox, and is equipped with a "good" right lead and upper cut.
"He also has a very poor defence and a questionable chin," Lewis' manager claimed. Saturday's fight will be the third this year for the undefeated Lewis and a victory would put him closer to a possible bout against WBC champion `Sugar' Shane Mosley.
Lewis' mother Yvonne Eversley and sister Laren have travelled to Los Angeles to view the fight. Yesterday's conference was held outside the City Hall in Los Angeles.