LEIGHTON LEVY, STAR Writer

Jamaican welterweight champion Sakima Mullings remains focused despite having to contend with a brand-new opponent when he flies to Guyana to defend his WBC/CABOFE welterweight title on February 21 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in Georgetown, Guyana.

Mullings, who won last year's Contender Series, will now face Clive Atwell, who is better known in Guyana as 'The Punisher', in the fight slated for 12 rounds.

The 32-year-old was down to fight former WBA welterweight champion Andrew 'Six Heads' Lewis, but the latter was forced to withdraw from the fight after suffering a hairline fracture to his collarbone during a sparring session on Sunday, reports from Guyana said.

Eion Jardine, the matchmaker, told the Guyana Chronicle, that the 44-year-old Lewis had suffered the injury while sparring with a boxer from French Guiana. The injury was confirmed by Guyana Boxing Board's Dr Max Hanoman, who said Lewis would be unable to box for about two months.

According to the report, Lewis' manager, Keith Bazilio, does not want to risk his charge entering the ring with Mullings, who became the WBC's CABOFE welterweight champion in 2013 when he stopped Guyana and former European champion Howard Eastman.

Mullings is disappointed but said the show must go on. "I was looking forward to fighting 'Six Head' but everything happens for a reason."

Mullings, who is unbeaten against Guyanese fighters, added. "I am glad that the organisers were able to quickly find a suitable replacement."

Notwithstanding Atwell's ominous moniker, Mullings believes beating the fighter, who has taken the fight on short notice, will be a nice feather in his cap.

"He is a very accomplished fighter, who fought Jhonny Gonzales for a world title last year. He lost, but he is a very good fighter. When I beat him it should help me with moving through the rankings, so I am looking forward to this fight."