IT was exactly 15 years ago today that Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis created history by becoming the first Guyanese to win a world title.Lewis was in line to win the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title in August of 2000 but opponent James Page never showed up for the fight.
However, the hard-hitting and talented Lewis finally caught up with Page on February 17, 2001. The venue was the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Guyanese southpaw was 30 years old at the time and undefeated in 20 fights (18 KOs).
He never missed a beat as Page was walloped from the opening round. So dominating was `The Albouystown Cyclone’ that midway into the first round television announcer and fight analyst Emmanuel Steward predicted that the Lewis would win by stoppage.
The punching power and speed forced referee Kenny Bayless to wave off the fight at one minute 13 seconds of the seventh round which allowed Lewis to lift the vacant WBA welterweight crown.
Then-President Bharrat Jagdeo, who watched the Fight in Lewis’ hometown of Albouystown, immediately declared the next day a holiday.
Lewis returned later in the year to a hero’s welcome.