Twist it or turn it Andrew Lewis is a national hero

May 13, 2015 Sports

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His dreams must not be interred with his body

Says Michael Benjamin
When Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis squared off with Fitzroy Davidson in February 1993, it signaled the end of an illustrious amateur career that peaked when he earned selection at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. He failed to secure a medal and subsequently decided that his tenure at the amateur level was over.

He continued his domination in the fistic sport with a humiliating 2nd round stoppage of Davidson whose reputation as a determined boxer with steely resolve was well established. Lewis chalked up 4 other victories against his countrymen before he was matched against a South Korean, Han Kim, and surprisingly was held to a technical draw after a mishap in the 2nd round forced a premature end to the scheduled 6 rounder.
Andrew retained his unbeaten streak right up to his 3rd defense of the World Boxing Association Welterweight title he won from James Page in March 2002. This is really a phenomenal feat when one takes into consideration that Lewis was a Guyanese practicing his trade in American territory; the odds were certainly against him.
Lewis took over from his compatriot, Terrence Ali, whose feats under the ESPN banner is well documented. Ironically, Lewis’ rise to fame and his reputation as a world beater was strengthened after he stopped Ali in the 2nd of their 12 rounds contest for the local Welterweight title in September 1996.
By then he had attracted a reasonable following and former head of Del Mars Promotions, Compton Beckles, who operated out of Miami Florida, had taken a liking to him. Beckles was also a staunch friend of Lewis’ dad, Sammy, who had passed away before Lewis’ rise to fame. And so it was that Beckles became involved in Lewis affairs and he (Lewis) moved over to Miami Florida while Beckles piloted his career.
Lewis fought in Massachusetts, New Jersey, South Carolina and a host of American states before he parted company with Beckles, left Miami and journeyed to Brooklyn where he opened camp at Gleason’s Gym, Front Street Brooklyn.
During his early tenure in the USA, Lewis defeated several notable fighters, the likes of Teddy Reid (W 10), Rafael Williams (TKO 2) and Sebastian Valdez (W 10). These were among the many victories that served as the catalyst to the Lewis/Page showdown in February 2001 that saw Lewis breaking the world title jinx that had plagued the Land of Many Waters for decades. Many opined that his infraction with the Mighty Don King had spelled the end of his career and while the end result endorsed this view, the true boxing knowledgeable, armed with the intricacies of the sport, would view those experiences with skepticism.
Irrespective of the achievement of other pugilists, Gwendolyn O’Neil, Wayne Braithwaite, Vivian Harris and Gary St. Clair, Lewis will always stand out as the boxer who effectively opened the floodgates. His decorum after returning home to a hero’s welcome might not have resonated positively on the masses but that certainly cannot mar the magnitude of the achievement.
Lewis death occurred at a time when the nation is engaged in an historic election and was understandably temporarily relegated to the back burner. One would assume that now that the major aspects of those elections are over, the nation can now address the modalities of his burial and fitting send off.
There has been speculations regarding his final resting place among Guyanese heroes at the Seven Ponds; some figure this is just a far-fetched notion even as others argue for its authenticity.
While I would play it safe regarding his final burial place, I know for sure that irrespective of personal opinions, Lewis has lifted this country on the world stage even if but for a few fights. When he returned home to glorious acclamation, government officials, the business community and common folks all competed to touch the proverbial hem of his gown.
Government had declared a national holiday in his honour. Petty grievances should not blot out such a large picture or meaningful contribution. Sometimes even presidents fail to evoke such positives for their country.
Word is out that Lewis will be interred on Thursday and a wake would have been held at the gym christened in his honour, last evening. It would also be a good thing if the gym named in his honour and now regarded as the home of boxing could be spruced up and converted into an academy that truly focuses on the all round development of young pugilists.
As a small nation of few heroes, it would be remiss to allow Andrew’s death to dwindle into oblivion which would contrast with his return home some 15 years ago to a hero’s welcome where one and all jostled just to touch the proverbial hem of his garment.  His dreams must not be interred with his body!

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