From the glittering New York lights to Guyana’s dusty roads

Oct 16, 2011 Sports

Andrew Lewis resumes quest for world acclaim

His boxing career commenced in 1985 at the young Achievers Boxing Gym in Albouystown, under the tutelage of coach, George ‘Kanchi’ Oprecht and hit a peak at the Gleason’s Gym, Front Street Brooklyn New York when he broke the jinx that denied Guyanese boxers a world title for decades.
During his illustrious career Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis defeated such fighters as Stephan Johnson for the North American Boxing Association (NABA) welterweight crown and defended against Teddy Reid among other notable American pugilists.
Those fights earned Lewis world acclaim, propelling him into the world ratings for an eventual crack at James Pages’ World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight belt.
Dedication, sacrifice and commitment were the watchwords that eventually saw Lewis pounding Page into submission to become Guyana’s first world champion.
A successful defence against American Larry Marks preceded an aborted fight against Ricardo Mayorga after an accidental clash of heads in the third stanza. The return one year later was disastrous for Lewis who surrendered his title by the knockout route after a vicious assault from the Nicaraguan.
Lewis’ attempts at regaining glory ended dismally with a fourth round stoppage against Antonio Margarita for the International Boxing organization (IBO) welterweight belt. It was a courageous effort albeit, a swan song for a man that had defied all odds to break the world title jinx for his country.
His fighting proclivities superseded every other negative variable but despite his most valiant attempt to climb back into the ratings, Lewis dwindled considerably and eventually returned to local soil to restart his climb to glory.

Lewis attacks the punching pads as he whips himself into shape for the most important fight of his career

Boxing buffs would remember with some degree of sadness, Lewis humiliating loss to ‘Dangerous’ Denny Dalton and later Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman but would regain some confidence after he avenged the Dalton defeat.
Their ecstasy must have been short lived as soon afterwards Lewis disappeared from the scene without confirming rumours that he had called it a day.
His fans had almost resigned themselves to the fact that Lewis’ feats would have to be conferred into the annuals of history when, like the Mighty Phoenix, he rose from oblivion and recently decided to re-enter the fray to tackle world renowned, Hector ‘Machito’ Camacho on a card promoted by Seon Bristol of the Briso Promotions group at the Princes Hotel International, Providence EBD on December 17.
Already, the pundits have started speculating and many have opined that Lewis has lost the zest for the sport.
They have suggested that he is merely in it for the money. Lewis scoffed at such remarks saying while he is desirous of procuring the big purses his primary objective is to regain the form that had brought him international acclaim. “I am still hungry for titles and after winning them I know that the big bucks will come,” he prophesied.
Lewis was not present when Camacho pounded out a lopsided unanimous verdict over Dalton at the Princess Hotel, Providence EBD mid last year but he said that he was privy to watching the Puerto Rican in fights in the USA. “I will be ready for whatever Camacho has to offer,” he declared.
Friday afternoon Lewis donned training gears at the gym named after his honour in Albouystown and turned in several hectic rounds of shadow boxing before turning to pads work. He wrapped up sessions with several rounds on the overhead ball before skipping for several minutes. His body glistened and looked chiseled; his punches sharp and from all appearances he is ready for combat. He shied away from a prediction but his work ethic seemed to suggest that an abbreviated bout may very well be on the cards.
His opponent, ‘Machito’ Camacho is just as determined to win the bout and recently traveled from Puerto Rico to Manhattan NY and signed his contract to formalize the deal. Moments afterwards he spoke with Kaieteur Sport and spewed confidence. “I have heard enough about Lewis to know that I cannot afford to take chances so I am applying myself to the task,” he said.
When this writer pointed out that he looked out of shape in the Dalton bout, Camacho admitted but explained that he was undergoing certain problems that hindered his preparations for that bout.
He said that those problems affected his training schedule and as such he was unable to whip himself fully into shape. He further promised to diligently apply himself to his training and was also scheduled to travel to Mexico for a warm up bout.
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.
Both fighters have sufficient time to whip themselves into the required shape. There will be no room for excuses. Lewis knows how it feels to retreat ignominiously from the square jungle.
He has practiced his trade in the glittering lights of New York. Now he trudges the dusty roads of Guyana in his quest for a return to world acclaim. He must first get past Camacho if he is to achieve this near impossible goal.