Andrew `Sixhead' Lewis travelled a rocky road before he got the opportunity to win Guyana's first world boxing title, but keeping it seems equally difficult.

The last few weeks were like a rollercoaster experience for the World Boxing Association welterweight champion.

Following his aborted second title defence, his name has been bandied about back and forth, relative to fighting opponents the likes of Shane Moseley and Vernon Forrest during his reign as the successor to James Page.

His manager Nelson Fernandez has been in the midst of the name calling beginning his proclamation that Lewis will take any fight with IBF champ Vernon Forrest even if it means sacrificing the belt.

Now it seems the `Albouystown Cyclone' will have to revert back to his original opponent the WBA mandated him to fight in Ricardo Mayorga, and avoid the ignominy of being stripped, following the association's threat to relieve him, if the Guyanese does not finish his battle with Nicaraguan Mayorga.

Manager Fernandez had a choice for Lewis going after a big money showdown with Forrest for Lewis or losing his belt without lifting a glove.

He chose the former option but now it is clear the type of money they were expecting is not forthcoming, Fernandez has gone back on his words and is now prepared to keep peace with the WBA and fight their number one challenger.

In placing money as his first priority ahead of the championship, the manager understandably was going after the main objective the great majority of fighters desire from the first day they don gloves, that is to make good money.

Of all professional sportspeople, boxers are the most likely ones to use their sport to better their existence financially and `Sixhead' is no exception.

Nevertheless, it would have been ideal for Guyana's history making pugilist to have at least tried to preserve his status as world champion for as long as possible from the inception, to make the accomplishment even more memorable.

But the hard facts are that boxing is more about making money than living up to nationalistic sentiment.

With Lewis going on 30 years of age, his manager knows he has reached his peak and any opportunity that presents itself for a big payback must be grasped with both hands.

Yet for all the patriotism in the world, one should not be too surprised that HBO television did not come up with the desired dollars.

Since his easy knockout over Page, Lewis has not marketed himself well in the ring, in his last two outings.

He made heavy weather trying to knockout journeyman Larry Marks and eventually had to settle for a points victory in his first defence. Though it turned out to be a lop-sided victory, a boxer is measured by the manner of his victories and any decisive knockout would have made 'Sixhead's' name much bigger.

Coming up against Mayorga in their original matchup, Lewis found himself on the receiving end with two massive cuts over both eyes which forced the no-contest decision and the requirement for the re-match, they seemingly will now have eventually.

Again, had the fight ended after two rounds in the Guyanese's favour, he could have been singing the praises of HBO by now.

Forrest on the other hand did not destroy Rawle Frank as he was expected to in light of his big reputation, when they finally got it on in May for the vacant IBF belt.

He was forced to endure a points decision in his favour which never had the fireworks fans were accustomed to from the previous champion Felix Trinidad.

Even though the American knocked out Edgar Ruiz since then, he did not put his belt on the line which resulted in his victory making little impression with the main stakeholders who put the money in the fighter's pockets.

Thus, regardless of the bargaining skills of the two fighters representatives,they could not bring anything much more than two belts to the table.

So it is back to square one for `Sixhead' who must now dedicate his time and energy to whipping himself into the type of condition to give him an emphatic victory over Mayorga whenever they meet early next year, to up his market value. He must remember the adulation he got on his return home with the belt, and tell himself he will not have a repeat unless he proves himself good enough to entice the promoters to find the money for any unification bout, and win it. Beating Forrest will be an excellent accomplishment for Lewis but a chance to rumble with Moseley will be super.