… Alfred to defend title
FORMER World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis is making a comeback to the squared circle on December 17, 2011, when he faces Hector ‘Macho’ Camacho Jr in the main bout of a card that is being promoted by Seon Bristol of Briso Promotions. Addressing a media briefing at the Princess Hotel and Casino yesterday, Bristol who in his own right was a former pugilist, said Guyana’s Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) bantamweight champion Shondell ‘Mystery Lady’ Alfred will be defending her title against an unknown opponent.
With president of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) Peter Abdool and Sales Manager of Princess Hotel and Casino Nadine Higgs as witnesses, both Lewis and Alfred affixed their signatures to the respective contract to honour the date.
“This card will be one with a difference in the boxing fraternity here in Guyana, as we will be giving boxing fans one of the biggest shows at the Princess Hotel and Casino, since we will be bringing back Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis to face Hector ‘Macho’ Camacho Jr,” said Bristol.
Abdool welcomed the idea to bring back Lewis, who he feels is probably one of the better boxers Guyana has produced.
“The GBBC is extremely happy to welcome back Seon Bristol to Guyana. The last time he was here, he brought Camacho Jr to face Denny ‘Deadly’ Dalton, with the former displaying a high level of boxing skill and technique on his way to a comfortable victory.
It is nice to know he (Camacho) is willing to take on Andrew who to my mind is one of the better boxers Guyana has produced and he still has speed and skill and I think that with this return, he can probably look at another world title shot in the future,” said Abdool.
He added, “While Shondell’s opponent is not known as yet, what I do know is that she gives 110% every time she steps into the ring and certainly that can be expected of her in four months time. Added to that, I must thank the promoter for holding the card in a month when Guyana would not only be enjoying the festive season, but thinking about the Main Street Big Lime that is held on Boxing Day.
“We at the GBBC are aware of the fact that Guyanese look forward to a boxing card being held in December, especially on Boxing Day and we appreciate and applaud the efforts of Seon and his promotional group to have this card.”
The 39-year-old Lewis, who knocked down James Page on February 17, 2001, to capture the vacant WBA welterweight title and thus became Guyana’s first world champion, lost same to Ricardo Mayorga in a rematch one year later, after suffering a cut in the second round from a headbutt in the first encounter.
In 2003 Lewis challenged WBO welterweight champion Antonio Margarito of the USA for his title, but was knocked out in the second round and after a two-year break from the sport, he challenged Denny Dalton for the vacant Guyanese light-middleweight title but the bout ended in a draw.
In the rematch which was held one year later, Lewis was knocked out before he finally got his revenge a year later with a points victory over Dalton, followed by his loss via a split decision to former British, Commonwealth and European middleweight champion Howard Eastman in October three years ago.
Prior to signing his contract to face Camacho Jr, Lewis thanked Bristol for believing in him, after he entertained thoughts of quitting the sport following his loss to Eastman.
“To be honest, after suffering the loss to Eastman in a fight where I felt I was robbed, I had thought of chucking the sport. I was even looking at becoming a promoter and then Seon, who is a good friend of mine, came to me with the idea to fight Camacho and I said yes right away.
“I have been relaxing while doing some light work on and off in the gym, but as the date for the card gets nearer, I will be stepping up my preparations as I am a former world champion and I have a reputation to uphold in the eyes of the Guyanese public which I intend to do,” said Lewis.
Lewis’s record reads 23-4-2, with 20 of his victories coming via knockout and he intends to make it victory number 31 when he faces Camacho Jr three days after celebrating his 41st birthday.
“For me it would be revenge time for Dalton. We had three great contests and some of my friends who saw his bout with Camacho, said he was not doing anything much to defeat Denny but he won so my aim is to get revenge for my countryman….” said Lewis.
Like Lewis, Alfred expressed the same sentiments at being back in the ring after being there last June on Bristol’s card dubbed ‘Deadly Encounters’, where she defeated Olga Julio at the same venue for her next bout.
“It is good to be back in the ring after a year. As usual, fans can expect a great show from me as I intend to keep my title at all cost. I worked hard for it and have no intentions of giving it up lightly,” said Alfred whose ring record reads 13-5.
She was referring to her WIBA bantamweight title which she won after defeating Canada’s Corrine Van Ryck De Groot at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, followed by a successful defence against the same opponent who was knocked out when the two met at the Princess Hotel nine months later.
While she has not been undergoing much preparation, the 29-year-old mother of one says she has been going to the gym on and off and will be stepping up her training as she intends to take care of business.
“It is always hard when you have to train for a fight and have no idea who your opponent will be. But I have confidence in my coaches and I know that when I step into the ring on  December 17, it will be business as Shondell Alfred don’t play, that’s why they call me the Mystery Lady.”
Such a statement was confirmed by Abdool who said, ‘Alfred always gives of her best when she steps into the ring. She may not put away her opponent early based on their fighting style, but she does get the job done 110% every time.”
While it has not been confirmed, recently crowned World Boxing Council/Caribbean Boxing Federation bantamweight champion Elton ‘Coolie Bully’ Dharry will also make an appearance on the card.
Meanwhile, Higgs said her Hotel was delighted to partner with Bristol once again on such a historic event which would see the re-introduction of Lewis to the boxing world and assured the former world champion that all of Guyana will be behind him.