Lewis moves closer to title

Page 19

Cree light-heavyweight contender Willard Lewis moved a step closer to the vacant Canadian title with a convincing decision over Tim Cooper of Jackson, Tenn., in December. Both fighters went the 10-round distance, with the three judges scoring 98-93, 100-90 and 100-90 in Lewis's favor. Lewis was born in Fort McMurray and raised in nearby Lac La Biche, Alta.

In what Lewis described as his "best match and best performance" as a pro, he convincingly disposed of the seasoned and well-conditioned American. It took two or three rounds for the fighters to warm up in the cool tent behind the Sawridge Hotel-the mercury outside had dipped to ?40 degrees at fight time-but the intensity increased after the third round when the fighters initiated several excellent exchanges.

Seconds before the end of the fifth round, Lewis sent Cooper to the canvas in the only knock-down of the bout. By the seventh, it appeared that Lewis was again headed for a quick victory through good jabs and combinations. Somehow, the wily Cooper survived the barrage.

In the eighth, Lewis had Cooper in trouble twice, but a knock-out was not in the cards. Cooper was staggered good in the early and middle part of the round, with Lewis scoring at will late, when he had Cooper backed against the ropes.

The performance was repeated in the 10th, when Lewis staggered Cooper a couple more times. Although, Cooper hung in to the end, it was Lewis who walked away with the big win, and the outcome was really never in doubt.

On the under card of the Sawridge Main Events and KO Boxing promotion were a kick boxing demonstration, two amateur fights and four pro bouts. The amateur bouts had Kevin Courtoreille up against Mike Weibel and Roger Wandering Spirit versus Randy Bennett, with no decisions because they were exhibitions.

In a pro match, Edmonton's Tony Badea improved to 12-0 when he upset Phil Chlarson (12-5) from Guam. Stan Cunningham, an Edmonton Metis who is not known as a KO artist, knocked out Calgary's Les Wisneski at 2:24 of the second round. The taller Cunningham had little trouble with Wisneski, whose record fell to 12-14.

The pro opening bout had another Metis, Earl Lambert, make his professional debut against veteran Tracy Anderson (4-8). The two Dawson Creek fighters had their bout stopped and declared a third round technical draw due to a severe head butt by both fighters which send Anderson to the doctor for eight stitches over an eye.

Lewis may meet Lorie Gros for the light-heavyweight title March 7 in Edmonton, in what would be his first fight for a pro title. He may also try to take the Canadian cruiserweight crown a month later at a fight being put together for Saskatoon.