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“AFTER some rough matches, I achieved some great wins and saw success, taking my record to 10-0. Then my coach told me about the Golden Gloves Championship. I know that boxing is the key to my success and I want to win the Golden Gloves to stand as an inspiration for anyone who thinks that they cannot achieve what they want in life.” Those were the words of 26-year-old New York-based Guyanese Shawn Lewis, prior to his competing in the prestigious 2013 United States Boxing Association (USBA) Golden Gloves Championship that is currently under way.
When Chronicle Sport caught up with Lewis via the social website Facebook, he had just recorded a sensational second round TKO over his second opponent in the tournament on February 16, taking his unblemished record to 12-0 after chalking up a close win over his first.
“My first fight was on the February 6, against a challenger by the name of Laurent Tubman, who was much taller than me. In fact, he is 6′ 2” and that made it difficult for me.
“However, remembering where I came from and what is my ultimate goal – to become a world champion -, I fought against all odds, backed by the words of my coach Amansa Say, who keep telling me to stay focused and pick my shots, and after three rounds of intense action, I gained the nod on four of the five judges’ scorecards,” said Lewis.
The sixth and final child to Lindon and Carmen Lewis from Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara, used the experience gained from the first win to enter the second encounter 10 days later, brimming with confidence, where he faced Edwin Hernandez.
Said Lewis, “I was more motivated when I fought against Hernandez who is 5′ 8”, since I knew to myself that victory – whether by knockout or points – would be mine. Thanks be to God, this match lasted for two rounds.
“After dominating him in the first round, I delivered several telling blows to his body, before I hit him in the face and knocked him out, earning myself a commanding win in the process, as I kept the Golden Arrowhead flying proudly one more time.”
He added, “Nothing else fuelled me more than winning my second match and I can’t wait to do battle in my next fight of this tournament. I know every time I step into the ring, I stand there representing my country, family, friends and coach. They all motivate me and I can’t wait for my third match.”
World Boxing Council (WBC)/Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) welterweight champion Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy who landed a four-year contract with one of boxing’s more successful managers, Cameron Dunkin, of the United States of America is one of Lewis’ strong supporters.
“He has courage, stamina and skill and I know he will go all the way to not only win the Golden Gloves Championships, but realise his dream of one day becoming a world champion for Guyana. I am proud of him and all Guyanese should be too.
“This is a son of the soil, a true champion at heart. He never says quit and if you look at where he came from and where he is today, you will definitely see the fighting spirit within him and give him your support in his career,” said Hardy.
While it is Lewis’ intentions to become a world champion, the pugilist is looking to return to Guyana and set up a gym somewhere in the community he was born, with the aim of giving back to the sport and at the same time enabling other young ‘Simon Purees’ to pursue their dreams of one day becoming a champion.
When Chronicle Sport caught up with Lewis via the social website Facebook, he had just recorded a sensational second round TKO over his second opponent in the tournament on February 16, taking his unblemished record to 12-0 after chalking up a close win over his first.
“My first fight was on the February 6, against a challenger by the name of Laurent Tubman, who was much taller than me. In fact, he is 6′ 2” and that made it difficult for me.
“However, remembering where I came from and what is my ultimate goal – to become a world champion -, I fought against all odds, backed by the words of my coach Amansa Say, who keep telling me to stay focused and pick my shots, and after three rounds of intense action, I gained the nod on four of the five judges’ scorecards,” said Lewis.
The sixth and final child to Lindon and Carmen Lewis from Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara, used the experience gained from the first win to enter the second encounter 10 days later, brimming with confidence, where he faced Edwin Hernandez.
Said Lewis, “I was more motivated when I fought against Hernandez who is 5′ 8”, since I knew to myself that victory – whether by knockout or points – would be mine. Thanks be to God, this match lasted for two rounds.
“After dominating him in the first round, I delivered several telling blows to his body, before I hit him in the face and knocked him out, earning myself a commanding win in the process, as I kept the Golden Arrowhead flying proudly one more time.”
He added, “Nothing else fuelled me more than winning my second match and I can’t wait to do battle in my next fight of this tournament. I know every time I step into the ring, I stand there representing my country, family, friends and coach. They all motivate me and I can’t wait for my third match.”
World Boxing Council (WBC)/Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) welterweight champion Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy who landed a four-year contract with one of boxing’s more successful managers, Cameron Dunkin, of the United States of America is one of Lewis’ strong supporters.
“He has courage, stamina and skill and I know he will go all the way to not only win the Golden Gloves Championships, but realise his dream of one day becoming a world champion for Guyana. I am proud of him and all Guyanese should be too.
“This is a son of the soil, a true champion at heart. He never says quit and if you look at where he came from and where he is today, you will definitely see the fighting spirit within him and give him your support in his career,” said Hardy.
While it is Lewis’ intentions to become a world champion, the pugilist is looking to return to Guyana and set up a gym somewhere in the community he was born, with the aim of giving back to the sport and at the same time enabling other young ‘Simon Purees’ to pursue their dreams of one day becoming a champion.
