'Sixhead' moves up in weight
..could fight next month
By Steve Ninvalle in Panama City
Stabroek News
June 3, 2003
Former World Boxing Association welterweight champion Andrew "Sixhead" Lewis is expected to return to the ring next month in an attempt to lift a career which in recent time has been on the downward journey.
Lewis' manager Nelson Fernandez yesterday confirmed that the former champion will now be flexing his muscles in the junior middleweight category and plans are afoot to have him on the under card of the De La Hoya/Mosley fight in September.
"'Six'is supposed to be back in the gym today and if he is all the time (five days a week) in the gym he is schedule to fight late July and hopefully again in the under card of De La Hoya vs Mosley," Fernandez told Stabroek Sport.
Lewis, now rated 12th by the WBA, recently returned to New York following a six-week vacation at home. Fernandez stated that Bob Arum, with whom Lewis has a promotional contract is concerned about the future of the former champion and wants the best for the fighter.
However, Fernandez stressed that it is up to Lewis, who will turn 33 on December 14, to do the rest. "Mr. Arum has had several talks with me about `Six's future and I have given him my thoughts and ideas as whom we should fight. He (Arum) is very interested in my plans and the future of Six but it is up to Six to be in the gym and pay attention to his career," Fernandez declared.
The manager added that Lewis claimed to have several personal issues which he wished to iron out before he restarts training. "I want you to know that all of our trainers as well as myself are in the gym daily waiting for Six to arrive but (according to him) he has several personal agendas he must iron out before he gets back into the gym. Hopefully the personal problems will get ironed out and we can resume his career and again be in line for another World Title opportunity."
Touching on Lewis' weight Fernandez said that his camp is now willing to `try' the now lucrative junior middleweight division.
Since losing to Mayorga `The Albouystown Cyclone' had complained about difficulty making the 147 pound welterweight limit and mulled moving up in weight.
Lewis, who had his first professional fight on February 28 1993 when he knocked out Fitzroy Davidson in round two, became Guyana's first representative to win a world boxing title when he knocked out James Page in February 2001 in Las Vegas. The victory sparked unprecedented celebrations across Guyana and the champion was given a hero's welcome when he returned home months later.
After defending his title twice he was knocked out by Ricardo Mayorga in March 2002 in Pennsylvania. Lewis then traveled to Puerto Rico where he flattened Oscar Delgado within two rounds to set up a challenge against World Boxing Organisation welterweight champion Antonio Margarito.
That fight ended in the second round with the Guyanese at the receiving end. He has won 22 of 26 professional fights with 20 victories by knockout.
