Former World Boxing Assoc-iation welterweight champion Andrew 'Six Head' Lewis will get another shot at a world title come September 11.
At the Water Chris Hotel yesterday `The Albouystown Cyclone' signed to challenge International Boxing Organisation welterweight champion Jawaid Khaliq of England for the title.
The fight will take place in London and will be Lewis' first since losing to World Boxing Organization champion Antonio Margarito in February last year.
Lewis' promoter Odinga Lumumba said everything will be done to make sure that the fighter is fully ready for the upcoming engagement. He revealed that the 33-year-old southpaw will spend some time at the GDF camp at Tacama where he is expected to receive "conditioning" and be away from distractions.
"He will be sent into the army for one month to get better. It's either he comes back good or he dies," Lumumba said. The promoter also explained that a psychiatrist will work with Lewis to help boost his confidence.
Local boxing technician Maurice `Bizzy' Boyce will lead the team of trainers preparing Lewis for the challenge. Boyce's deputy is Lennox Daniels while Guyana's lone Olympic medallist Michael Parris will assist.
"We are not going to London to lose. Everything is in Lewis' hands now," Lumumba added.
In response to a question from the media, Lewis stressed that he still has a lot left.
"I still have a lot of boxing left in me. Age is just a number. I'm good and ready to go," Lewis said.
Khaliq, who will turn 34 this month end, won the IBO title in June 2001 after defeating Willy Wise, one of a handful of men to defeat legendary Julio Caesar Chavez.
The Englishman has only lost once in 25 fights and has 13 knockouts. He has fought almost exclusively in his homeland and successfully defended the title seven times.
Lewis, the first representative from Guyana to win a world title, has won 20 of 22 victories by knockout. He has been defeated twice.