Radical changes would have to be made regarding who sits in the corner of former World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion Andrew `Sixhead' Lewis if he is to make it back to the top of division, says former national junior middleweight champion Reggie Forde

"I'm not jumping the gun here but Lewis' handlers have not done anything for him since he won that fight against James Page. I feel that he (Lewis) has surrounded himself with persons who care only about money. They really don't give a heck about him. The time has now come for Lewis to take stock of himself and to decide where he is going and who he wants to accompany him. Only he can do that, " said the outspoken Forde, now a C Class trainer in the United States.

Lewis suffered his first defeat in professional boxing on Saturday night when a wild swinging Nicaraguan named Ricardo Mayorga snatched his 13-month old WBA belt in a barnyard brawl in Reading Pennsylvania.

The Guyanese was dropped in round five following a three punch combination which forced the referee to call a halt after he rose at the count of six.

"They have had their days of glory and I now believe that its time for them to go. Anyone who looked at Lewis' last performance and are being true to themselves would agree with me," added Forde.

"Of course `Six' could come back but the question is when and with whose assistance. He has to change a lot of things and quite frankly and don't think that his present corners (cornermen) are equipped enough to initiate that change."

"Lewis looked a sick man in the ring Saturday night. I think that he is suffering to make the welterweight limit of 147 pounds. This was highlighted when he had to make two trips to the scale in order to make the weight. His eyes told you he was sick. Also, as a champion his handlers have not seen it fit to employ a dietician. How he regulated his eating is anyone's guess.This is another area where his handlers erred. No one cared," Forde continued.

Forde, who started training fighters while still in his teens, pointed out that he was not on a mission to criticise the former champion but rather would offer whatever assistance he could to see him back on top.

"I wish `Sixhead' all the best. However, I think that the only way he can get back to the top is for him to leave Nelson Fernandez and company and get persons who are really interested in him in his corner. Fernandez and company were only looking out to fill their own pockets," claimed Forde.

"Once he is away from that camp he will get a different mind set. I have looked at his performances since he has won the title and it leaves much to be desired. He really has not done anything spectacular since beating James Page."

Pointing out the failures of Lewis' corner, Forde said that all were confused during the fight on Saturday. "Everyone was talking at the same time. None had a plan B. I was not surprised since they can't teach him nothing if they themselves know nothing," Guyana's former amateur welterweight champion said.

Forde warned that Lewis runs the risk of being regulated to total obscurity if the changes are not made. Late last year the 31 year old Lewis signed a three year contract with Nelson Fernandez.

Contacted for a comment yesterday Lewis indicated that he will be giving Stabroek Sport an in depth interview today.