Former world welterweight champion Andrew `Sixhead' Lewis has signed a promotional contract with McNeil Enterprise, and should return to the ring by mid-July.
Head of McNeil Odinga Lumumba disclosed that the former WBA welterweight title holder is being guaranteed at least four fights for the first year of the contract.
Lewis, who has not fought since losing to Antonio Margarito more than a year ago, will concentrate on the junior middleweight category. Lumumba said that it is anticipated that once successful Lewis will fight for the Latin American belt within the first year. "We will then go for the Commonwealth title and then the world title," Lumumba, the 1995 WBA Latin America Promoter of the Year added.
"I have already had a commitment from Mr. Mendoza (the WBA president) for the Latin American title which is vacant. It is planned that he will have his first fight by mid July."
Local boxing technician Maurice `Bizzy' Boyce and Guyana's lone Olympic medallist Michael Parris are being approached to train Lewis. The out-spoken Lumumba opined that Lewis' contract with him would in no way hamper his managerial contract with Nelson Fernandez.
"These are two totally different contracts," he said.
"Once Lewis behaves in a manner of one who is serious about success then this will be good. A lot will be on him. His attitude, his approach to the game, discipline and his lifestyle has to come together as one. We will provide the support. I figure that once he puts his mind to it and is physically fit we shouldn't have a problem."
"If James Toney and George Foreman can return to boxing and become world champions again why not `Sixhead Lewis. There are people who have been in far worst situations than Lewis and have reached to the top."
Asked if the signing of Lewis signals his return to professional boxing Lumumba declared that on the contrary it is just another good deed. "This is my return to helping people. The focus here is on Andrew `SixheadÆ Lewis not me," the promoter said Lewis will train exclusively in Guyana he added. "He will be in the house of Sixhead Lewis in Albouyastown (the Andrew Lewis Gym)."
Lewis defeated James Page on February 17, 2001 to become the first representative from Guyana to win a world title.