ANTHONY `The Pearl’ Andrews came very close to being crowned Guyana’s first world boxing champion on May 27, 1995. Andrews challenged Argentine Jorge Fernando Castro, for the World Boxing Association middleweight title, at the Broward Convention Centre in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.`The Pearl’ had signed with local promotion czar Odinga Lumumba a few years earlier and was put on an avenue that led straight to the world title. Accompanied by trainer Maurice `Bizzy’ Boyce, Andrews arrived in Florida one week before the fight.
The Guyanese was 30 years at the time of the contest and weighed in at 158 and three-quarter pounds. Castro, three years Andrews’ junior, weighed in one pound heavier. Andrews, an orthodox fighter, was able to give a good account of himself and even knocked down his opponent in the seventh round. He was leading on all three judges’ cards when the Argentine unleashed bombs in the final minute of the fight.
Referee Bernie Soto was forced to wave it off at two minutes and 14 seconds of the 12th round to hand Castro a TKO victory. At the time of the stoppage judges Gustavo Padella, Samuel Conde Lopez and Al Welinsky all saw the Guyanese leading 105-104.
It was the ninth defeat for Andrews. In his last fight (May 26, 2000) Andrews suffered a fifth-round TKO at the hands of Thomas Tate. His record includes 27 victories (23 KOs), 13 defeats and two draws. `The Pearl’ now resides in the USA.