Guyanese Andrew `Sixhead' Lewis is prepared to sacrifice his World Boxing Association (WBA) title to fight International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Vernon Forrest, his manager Nelson Fernandez has told the USA Today newspaper.

Lewis who became the first Guyanese to win a world title faces stripping if he does not fight WBA challenger Ricardo Mayorga in his next bout. The two are scheduled to face off for a second time after their first clash ended in a no-contest when Lewis was badly cut over the eye in an accidental head butt.

But Fernandez explained that a fight with Forrest is a much better option and they will pursue it even it means being stripped by the WBA.

"We love being champion of the WBA, but my fighter has me as manager to make the right decision and fighting Forrest is the right decision with or without the belt. It's a fight between the two best guys. That's the right thing," Fernandez told USA Today.

The Forrest fight has a huge financial incentive for the Lewis camp and could earn the fighter by far his biggest payday.

USA Today reported that HBO television is willing to spend as much as US$1.5 million on the fight and a split down the middle could earn the Guyanese US$750,000 more than twice his previous largest purse.

"When `Six' found out we were talking about it, he jumped 10 feet in the air because he was so excited," Fernandez stated.

The fight has taken on greater significance with the impending move by WBC champion Shane Mosely to the middleweight ranks.

There is also a possibility that the WBA could waive its stipulation for the Lewis-Mayorga matchup and allow the Guyanese the opportunity to unify the two welterweight titles.

Lou DiBella, the advisor to Forrest told USA Today that the association is considering the unification bout once Mayorga gets to fight the winner.

The showdown could also be brought forward to December 15 if the often postponed Evander Holyfield-John Ruiz heavyweight title bout is not staged on that date.

But a January date is preferred by Fernandez who said it would give his fighter more time to prepare as he cannot spar until November 13 because of the cut, on doctor's orders.

It is now left up to HBO to come up with the money because the fight is definitely on, Fernandez added.

Lewis with a 21-0-1 (19 kayoes) record won the WBA belt by knocking out American James Page while Forrest (33-0, 26 kayoes) clinched his title by outpointing Guyanese Rawle Frank.

The encounter will also mark the first time that Bob Arum, Lewis' promoter and DiBella, two boxing personalities with great distaste for the other, will be working on a fight.