Wayne Braithwaite reorganizing career following aborted Russian bout

Nov 13, 2011 Sports

Former World Boxing Council (WBC) Cruiserweight champion, Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite is

Wayne Braithwaite

now reorganizing his career following the disappointing turn of events that forced the abortion of his November 4 title eliminator against Ali Ismailov of Azerbaijan on a card dubbed ‘Not a Step Back,’ at the Khodynka Palace of Sports, Russia.
According to Braithwaite who recently returned to Guyana, he arrived one month prior to the bout and opened camp at the Olympic Village in Russia. He said that he became engaged in sparring sessions with Dennis Levedev who was scheduled to oppose former world champion, James Toney in an interim bout for the WBA interim cruiserweight title. The former cruiserweight world champion said that he sparred more than 60 rounds during his month stay in the European country.
He said that he was keyed up for battle when, one week before fight night, the Russian promoter told him that his fight would have been cancelled. Braithwaite said that when he queried the reason he was told that world renowned promoter Don King had issued instructions for the abortion of the fight. Braithwaite admitted that he was contracted to Don King and the said contract will expire in a year’s time. However, after the American promoter failed to provide adequate bouts they had agreed in principle that he (Braithwaite) was free to engage in other bouts. The former WBA Cruiserweight king said that he went ahead and fought Adam Harris in a bout last March in Connecticut NY and won by knockout in the first round. He said that King did not make an issue of their contractual arrangements.
Braithwaite feels that he was merely summoned to Russia under the pretext of a fight when in fact the Russian Promoter wanted to use him as a pawn to spar with Levedev who was preparing for a bout with former world champion, James Toney. He said that his mom, acting in the capacity of his agent, contacted King who subsequently denied having a hand in the aborted fight. Braithwaite said that he is a mite confused but is wont to believe Don King’s version of the issue.
Nevertheless, Braithwaite said that he was reimbursed for the financial aspect of the trip including the air fare and accommodation while in Russia.
Speaking of immediate plans for his career, Braithwaite said that he has been offered a fight against local light/heavyweight champion, Kurt Bess on the upcoming Briso Promotions boxing card scheduled for December 17 at the Princess Hotel International, Providence ECD. The muscular Braithwaite said that he will be returning to New York soon to resume training just as soon as he affixes his signature to the contract. “I know nothing about Bess but I hear that he is calling me out to a fight and I will oblige him,” Braithwaite retorted when asked of his regard for the local heavyweight king. “I expect a good fight but I will knock him out,” Braithwaite emphatically pronounced. This apart, he said that he is taking the fight seriously.
Braithwaite currently sports a record of 28 fights with 4 losses. Twenty of those fights ended inside the distance. Braithwaite said that his toughest bout to date is against Vincenzo Cantatore, the Italian he defeated for the world title. He said that he was psychologically drained after the bout suffered 9 postponements. He also lost out to Guillermo Jones for the IBF #1 spot. “I was not hurt and was defending myself when ref stopped bout,” he said.
For now Braithwaite will be in Guyana for approximately one week to sign his contract before heading back to New York to prepare for the bout.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News