Lewis never factored in as a worthwhile foe to break that jinx but benefited from the shrewd monopolizing tactics of world renowned promoter, Don King, who brokered a deal that eventually saw Lewis matching gloves with Page. King was impressed by Lewis’ earlier demolition of Teddy Reid in December 1998. Noted also, is that Page also formed a part of King’s stable.
The fight had experienced some setbacks after former heavyweight world champion Evander ‘Real Deal’ Holyfield suffered a rib injury while preparing for a title defence against John Ruiz. That fight was to have been the main bout, forcing a postponement to facilitate the healing of Holyfield’s injury. Even before that, Lewis was taken through a psychological roller coaster after Page found every excuse in the book to avoid keeping his ring date.
Eventually, on Sunday February 18, 2001, Lewis and Page collided at the MGM Grand Conference Centre, Las Vegas for the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title. The result is now history.
Lewis’ return to Guyana was widely heralded and the politicians and other important persons tumbled over to do his bidding. President Jagdeo immediately declared a public holiday while the gifts, which included a choice plot of land and duty free concessions for motor vehicles among others, were doled out indiscriminately.
Lewis next fight, a defence against Larry Marks, was not as incisive as his world title win but nevertheless, the pundits were satisfied that he exited the ring with his crown firmly on his head. His second defence against the much heralded Nicaraguan, Ricardo Mayorga, ended in a no contest after a clash of heads early in the bout.
Shortly afterwards, Lewis’ world began to fall apart. A purported statement uttered after his return to Guyana was the subject of much acrimony and resulted in many of his fans rethinking their level of support. The Mayorga no contest also cast a pall over Lewis’ ability to match skills with the big boys like Shane Moseley and Vernon Forest among others. The situation became dicey after the Lewis/Don King union experienced turmoil after which King chose to support Mayorga even as he (King) hurled disparaging remarks at Lewis.
Unknowingly, the writing was on the wall for Lewis who surrendered his title after suffering a humiliating defeat to Mayorga.
Several attempts to climb back to the top failed dismally after Lewis was also knocked out by Antonio Margarito for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title. His subsequent return to the local ring saw him suffering defeats to Denny Dalton and Howard Eastman but while the former world champion managed to avenge the Dalton defeat, he disappeared into oblivion with the Eastman bill still unpaid.
At the recent press conference to herald his return to fistic duties, Lewis has admitted that he needed a break from the sport to engage in a period of critical introspection. He now feels ready to resume his career and has even said that he is once again aiming to procure another world title. Head of Briso Promotions, Ceon Bristol, has provided the platform for Lewis to prove that his career is not yet done.
Lewis tackles Hector ‘Machito’ Camacho in a ten round battle that should provide an indication of whether he has what it takes to match gloves with the big boys including current world champions, Floyd Mayweather, Victor Ortiz and Manny Pacquiao, names he would not be able to avoid in his bid to regain a world title.
Camacho is no slouch as has been proven when he fought ‘Dangerous’ Denny Dalton last year. However, despite winning the bout the younger Camacho was far from the classy boxer of his father’s caliber. He was clearly not at his best condition, looking chubby around the midriff, yet he managed to outclass Dalton. There is no doubt that once he realizes the quality of his opposition he will dig deep to come in at his best shape.
The Dalton win, despite not to his best, speaks volumes of his cagey disposition especially when one notes that he had only recently resumed his career after a self imposed hiatus. One suspects that Camacho would have heard much about Lewis and would not want to take unnecessary chances.
He would prepare thoroughly for the encounter. One needs not be reminded also that Camacho is a classy fighter that could present problems for Lewis.
The latter fighter has said that after several months of critical introspection he is good and ready to reclaim his place in the boxing arena. It would require more than just rhetoric to pull off a bout of such magnitude and Kaieteur Sport would be monitoring Lewis’ preparatory activities to ascertain his commitment to the task at hand.
Of critical importance also, it is prudent to question Lewis’ eagerness to return to the fistic arena after such a prolonged absence. Amidst all of the questions one thing is certain, the Camacho bout is a ‘make or break’ encounter and the former WBA king would be aware of this.
The three months period allotted for preparations will provide serious answers but the results on fight night will be even more decisive.