Georgetown (Guyana), May 5 (IANS): Former (World Boxing Association) WBA World welterweight champion Andrew Lewis, from Guyana, died on Monday after he was involved in a vehicular accident here.

Media reports said the 44-year-old lost control of his motorcycle while riding in East Bank of Demerara, and crashed into a car travelling in the other direction, reports CMC.

He suffered several severe head and body injuries and was pronounced dead at hospital.

Local news website, News Source, said police were investigating the incident.

Lewis, who competed at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games before turning professional in 1993, shot to stardom eight years later when he defeated American James Page to capture the vacant WBA welterweight title.

He successfully defended the title against Larry Marks but then surrendered the belt when he lost to Nicaraguan Ricardo Mayorga a year later.

He tried to regain the title in 2003 but suffered a knock-out at the hands of Mayorga. Lewis fought his last professional bout seven years ago.