The former WBA world welterweight champion has suffered a hairline fracture to his collar bone while sparring and Lewis may be forced to pull out of his February 21 ring date versus Sakima Mullings.
Lewis 23(20)-4(3)-2 and Mullings 17(12)-1-0 are scheduled to headline the ‘Caribbean Collision’ card at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall for the latter’s World Boxing Council (WBC) Caribbean Boxing Federation (CAABOFE) welterweight title. That fight may have to be shelved since Lewis’ medical advisor, Dr. Hanoman noted that the injury which was discovered after x-rays, may take four to five weeks to mend.
According to Lewis’ manager, Keith Bazilio, he does not want to risk having the 44-year Lewis who would not be at full strength in the ring versus a spry 32-year old Mullings who is renowned locally for unanimously defeating Howard Eastman to lift the title in April 2013.
“We don’t want this guy to come and beat another Guyanese, so we won’t be risking anything, most likely this fight will have to be pushed back” Bazilio told Stabroek Sport yesterday.
Lewis who has not fought since October, 2008 maintained that he was ‘feeling good’ prior to the injury and is disappointed for himself and the fans who have anticipated the match-up since last year.
“I was feeling well man, but right now my shoulder is hurting real bad, the doctor said I got to rest for a month but I am really feel disappointed.
“When I come out for a fight I get the full support, and I was looking forward to that support from my fans.”
So when will the Guyanese public see ‘Six Head’ in the ring again? “That might be in March, let’s check the dates and how the injury goes and see.”
If the organizers green lights the card as scheduled sans Mullings and Lewis, it will feature a two-time world title challenger and two WBC CABOFE title holders.
CABOFE middleweight champion Edmond DeClou and national super middleweight title holder, Derrick Richmond will face off in an eight-round middleweight rematch. DeClou has not been in the ring since October, 2013 after his career was shelved due to a broken jaw compliments of a left hand from Richmond.
Dexter ‘De Kid’ Marques, the flyweight CABOFE title holder will lace it up against undefeated prospect, Quincy Gomes in a catch weight fight scheduled for six rounds.
USA’s Lorrissa ‘The Cheetah’ Rivas of Las Vegas, Nevada will face Guyanese, Sharon Ward. Their super middleweight bout is planned for four rounds.
The season premier will also features debutants Travis Fraser and Charwyn Estwick matching gloves in a four-round light middleweight contest
