Andrew `Sixhead' Lewis is enduring his longest span of inactivity since becoming a professional boxer and is ambivalent about when he will make a return to the ring.

In an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport the former WBA welterweight champion, acknowledged that his career is momentarily at a standstill, but assured that he will bounce back and once again rise to the top.

Lewis, who will turn 34 in December, also confessed that the relationship between himself and manager Nelson Fernandez is slightly strained at present and this may have contributed to his long layoff.

"There is a slight problem now between me and Fernandez," the twice-defeated fighter said. "I think that this might have come about because I wanted to have Emanuel Steward as my trainer.

"Myself and Fernandez are alright but he got a little nervous when I asked to move to Steward's camp."

Late last year Steward told Stabroek Sport that Lewis' camp had contacted him to ascertain the possibility of him taking the former champion under his wing.

The legendary manager/trainer, who has worked with several of the sport's top athletes, said then that he was giving much consideration to the Lewis project. Steward pointed out that Lewis still had a lot left in him and could be world champion again.

The boxing savant cited bad training and management for Lewis's fall from the top and advised that the Guyanese be removed from the distractions of New York.

Yesterday Lewis, now rated 14th by the WBA, was adamant that a change in trainer is a prerequisite if he is to get back into contention.

"I really need a change of trainer. That is very important to me," the southpaw fighter stressed. He said Fernandez was notified of his desire but did nothing. "He only told me that I have to know what I wanted to do."

Last February Lewis renewed a managerial contract with Fernandez which will last for three years.

That same month he lost to WBO welterweight champion Antonio Margarito in his second bid for a world title.

That was the last time that `The Albouystown Cyclone' stepped into the ring. Now close to one year later, Lewis claims he still possesses the hunger which took him to the top.

"When I see men like Zab Judah fighting for the welterweight title of the world it makes me a lot hungrier," the former champion said. "I know deep in my heart that I can take on and beat those guys and make it back to the top."

His 11-month layoff is reminiscent of one between 1999 and 2000 while waiting for James Page to step into the ring. Between December 12, 1999 and November 17 the following year, Lewis only had only one bout against Sebastian Valdez who he flattened in round two.

Lewis, who is back home on holiday, said that he would like to be back in the ring within the next four months. "I still do my training and other stuff. I'm not done as yet."