SHE was just six years old when her father defeated American James Page to win the vacant WBA welterweight title and become Guyana’s first World boxing champion, but Annastatia Lewis says that she never saw her father as a boxer, but rather the man who catered to her every need. “My father was the funniest person I know. I will miss his jokes, his smile, his laughs and most of all, the times we shared,” Lewis said in an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport yesterday.
On Monday May 5, Guyana and the boxing world were sent into deep mourning. Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis, 44, was riding his bicycle, heading to a popular ‘coconut’ spot near his home – somewhere he visits daily- when he was struck from behind by a motor car.
The driver, 33-year-old man, Mannex Powers appeared in court last Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to the causing death by dangerous driving charge and was granted $250 000 bail.
Lewis left boxing with a record of 23 wins from 30 fights; 20 of which came by knockouts, but suffered four losses and three draws.
However, for his daughter Annastatia and his eight other children, their father was always a fighter – the best in their eyes.
Annastatia is the former champion’s second child and she noted that the ‘Champ’ made them all feel as though they were his first.
“I wasn’t old enough to remember much about when he became a world champion, other than going to the airport with my mother in the VIP (lounge) and seeing him, holding me and stuff, but I watched a lot of videos online and heard a lot of stories,” the grieving daughter noted.
Lewis’ return to Guyana was widely heralded and the politicians and other important persons tumbled over to do his bidding.
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo immediately declared a public holiday while the gifts, which included a house and duty-free concessions for motor vehicles among others, were doled out indiscriminately.
A gym was also built and named in his honour.
Lewis’ next fight, a defence against Larry Marks, was not as incisive as his world title win but nevertheless, the pundits were satisfied that he exited the ring with his crown on his head.
His second defence against Ricardo Mayorga, ended in a no-contest after a clash of heads early in the bout but in a rematch, the Nicaraguan won via a fifth round TKO.
“You know despite what a lot of people said about him, he was really a nice person. He was the one I use to talk to about anything. People who don’t know him and know about his life had a lot to say about him, but we knew the real ‘Six Head’. To me, he was just my father, nothing else and we loved him; all his children loved him a lot.”
The former World champion’s daughter said that she had spent the weekend with her father at his Hutsonville residence and the day before he met his demise, she said goodbye to him not knowing it would be the last she would see of her father.
“Words can’t really explain how I’m feeling and even my brothers and sisters,” said the shaken Lewis, speaking about her father’s passing, “we will miss him so much. There’s a lot to love about my father and what we will remember him for is not about boxing. He was a kind man, he had a good heart and he was there for me and others so we will miss him.”
She added, “I don’t know much about his boxing because maybe I never paid attention to that part of his life, but we are very proud of him. He will be missed – trust me – by those that knew him and loved him; we’ll miss him.”
Several attempts to climb back to the top failed dismally after Lewis was also knocked out by Antonio Margarito for the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) welterweight title.
His subsequent return to the local ring saw him suffer defeats to Denny Dalton, but while the former world champion managed to avenge the Dalton defeat, he disappeared into oblivion after losing to Howard Eastman in 2008.

By Rawle Toney