Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis returns with a vengeance

May 17, 2013 Sports

---

 

 

– Plans to defy his critics

By Michael Benjamin
Approximately five years ago, on October 25, 2008, Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis squared off against Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman for the vacant middleweight title and after 12 rounds of hectic combat, Eastman prevailed when judges Carlton Hopkinson and Clairmont DeSouza scored 112-113 and 114-111 respectively in his favour. Bernard DeSantos gave the fight to Lewis, 110-115.
It was a close fight and many clamored for a return since even ‘Sixhead’ felt that he had been ‘done in.’ The anticipation of a second encounter was at fever pitch when Lewis unceremoniously retracted into what many thought was retirement and the hopes of a second thriller evaporated into nothing.  Now, five years after that historic bout, Lewis has resurrected with new resolve and is scheduled to match gloves with Jamaican, Sakima Mullings on a date soon to be announced.
Mullings is no slouch and he first tasted Guyanese blood when he stopped Winston Pompey a few years ago in Jamaica. He next took care of Eastman in a card promoted by the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) last month. Afterwards, he boldly called out Lewis. Consequently, Lewis has called his bluff and the two are scheduled to sign a contract in Jamaica shortly, on a card promoted in the Spice Island which will feature several other Guyanese fighters.
Lewis feels slighted by Mullings’ vile remarks after the Eastman encounter and says he is extremely serious about teaching Mullings a thing or two in the fistic sport. On Monday afternoon last, he opened camp at the gym named in his honour in Albouystown and Kaieteur Sport was present as he went through his paces on Wednesday under the tutelage of coach Lennox ‘Cappel’ Daniels.
Lewis did several hectic rounds of shadow boxing before he was instructed to jog up a flight of stairs. Daniels explained that this type of work was similar to running on hilly terrain and put the leg muscles under tremendous pressure. He said that the exercise was good for the former world champion in his return to the grueling requirements of the sport. Lewis also engaged in a lengthy session bouncing on a truck tire which was also meant to strengthen his leg muscles. He rounded off sessions with a session of brisk skipping and ended with calisthenics.
“After the loss to Eastman I was scheduled to fight Hector Camacho (jnr) but those negotiations fell through and I decided to take a rest from the sport and work out my issues,” confided Lewis when asked of the reason for his prolonged absence from the ring. He said that during that period of introspection he was ‘trying out his hand’ in a bit of farming on a plot of land he owns in Hutsonville, ECD. Consequently, heavy rains disrupted those activities and when the rainy season had subsided, the ill effects to the land precluded the former world champion’s continuation and he temporarily shelved those activities.
Lewis said that boxing never left his veins but he needed time out to decide on his future. He said that even then he still visited the gyms and the fight cards and it was during his last visit to the Eastman/ Mullings bout that he heard Mullings mouthing off and decided to call his bluff.
“He has no respect, how dare he come into my territory and disrespect me like that?” Lewis exclaimed. “I saw the Eastman fight and I am not impressed so I immediately accepted the offer when it came,” continued Lewis. He admitted that Mullings is a skilled fighter but said that it will take much more for the Jamaican to defeat him. “He reminds me of Roy Jones, you know; similar style and determination, but he is still to mature and is definitely not in my category,” said the former world champion.
This writer suggested that Lewis had found himself in dire financial straits and was merely trying to clinch another big payday. Lewis scoffed at the view and retorted, “While the money is important I am focused and regard a victory with just as much importance; I know that a win will push me back up the rankings and money will come,” said Lewis.  He further said that he plans boxing for the next four years during which time he will attempt to win a Commonwealth title. Should he attain this feat, Lewis will automatically earn a number 10 ranking in the world. He said that he would then aspire for another world title for Guyana.  “I have already etched my name in world boxing and I could always rely on my reputation to get back to the top,” he asserts.
Meanwhile, Lewis engages in several miles of roadwork on the hilly terrain of the Linden/Soesdyke highway from as early as 04:00hrs every morning. He said that he is determined to attain an optimum level of fitness since he wants to teach Mullings a thing or two in the fistic sport. Reminded that Mullings has promised to force him to retire gracefully and ‘put him in a rocking chair,’ Lewis retorted, “Mullings is merely conforming to the old adage that ‘empty barrels make the most noise’ and I plan to silence him!”

 

 

---

---