CABOFE championship card…Cox vows to KO Wayne Braithwaite in the mid round tonight

Feb 25, 2012 Sports

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The boxers had assembled at the studios of the National Communications Network (NCN) to brief the press of their plans for their respective fights tonight. Each pugilist promised to win but remained cagey of his method of annihilation.
Former World Boxing Council (WBC) cruiserweight champion Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite then turned to current Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) champion, Barbadian, Shawn ‘The Sniper’ Cox and pronounced him to be garbage. The remark incensed the Barbadian so much that he lost his temper and blurted, “You will pay for uttering that disrespectful remark; I will knock you out.”
That threat by Braithwaite and subsequent outburst by Cox have drawn the battle lines and the two pugilists will have the perfect opportunity to make good on their uttering when they face each other in the main bout of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), CABOFE championship extravaganza at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) tonight.
“The Truck,’ who last fought in March 2010 when he stopped American, Adam Harris, scoffed at suggestions that he was ring rusty. He pointed out that though he has had a torrid time procuring credible opponents, he has been pretty active in the gym. He reminded the press that he was in Russia less than two months ago for a bout against Ali Ismailov of Azerbaijan. Reports from that country state that after Braithwaite arrived in Russia, he was so dominant during sparring sessions that he stopped several of his opponents. Word of Braithwaite’s feats reached the ears of his opponent who in turn opted out of the bout.
With no willing replacement, Braithwaite was forced to engage in sparring sessions with world rated Denis Levedev who eventually defeated former world champion, James Toney in a bout for the Interim WBC title.
At the press conference yesterday, Braithwaite pointed out to Cox that he is nowhere in his category and warned the Barbadian that he will receive the whipping of his life. Cox refused to be browbeaten and said that even though he has never seen Braithwaite in live action, he has been following his career via tapes and believes that he (Cox) has the tools to outpunch his nemesis.
Indeed, with an imposing 14-1 record coupled with a knockout ratio that hover around 87.5, Cox feels he has the tools to get the job done. ‘The Truck’ has a 71.43 knockout ratio but has faced sterner tests. Most of Cox’s fights occurred around the Caribbean though he has clinched a 3rd round technical knockout decision over Mexican, Francisco Alvarez in his hometown.
He surrendered the only other bout he has fought outside the Caribbean to Italian, Salvatore Erittu in December 2009. Since then he has been on a winning streak and his last opponent, Kurt Bess, whom he stopped in just over 2 minutes of the first stanza, could attest to his power.
Braithwaite scoffed at the record and proclaims that he is no Kurt Bess. Indeed, ‘The Truck’ has clashed with some of the best world beaters. His professional career spans some 20 years and during that time he has fought the best. His world title winning feat against Italian Vincenzo Cantatore has defined him as a world class pugilist but since then he has surrendered bouts to Guillermo Jones (KO by 4) and a points decision to Steve Cunningham.
He has compiled a 24-4 record with 20 of his opponents failing to make it to the last bell. Braithwaite is the more experienced of the two but with Cox so confident, not to mention angered, by Braithwaite’s lax remark, one cannot rule out a slugfest between the two Goliaths.
The Bajan sports a physique like a bodybuilder and packs a terrific wallop. This time though, he will find that his opponent is capable of giving as well as taking a punch. One could only envisage the fierce battle that will erupt when these two gladiators enter the ‘square jungle.’ This is a must see.
Trinidadian Kevin Placide who battles local boy, Edmond Declou, landed at the Cheddie Jagan International Airport, Timerhi merely two hours prior to the press brief but was at his garrulous best.
“Declou will be clueless of what to do when I stand in front of him; I will beat him bad bad,” declared the Trinidadian. He said that he almost missed his flight and had to hurry to the Piarco Airport. “I know you would have preferred to miss the flight than face me but you still have an opportunity to back out,” said Declou.
The Guyanese champion then reminded Placide that he (Declou) had defeated Eastman while the ‘Battersea Bomber’ had dished out a first class licking on him (Placide). “When I fought Eastman he was of championship quality but when you fought him he was a bum,” exhorted Placide. He said that he will set the record straight when the two clash tonight.
Elton “Coolie Bully’ Dharry is also ready for combat but he will have to be wary of Barbadian Selwyn Lett. The latter pugilist said that he has been training intensely and cannot visualize losing tonight’s bout. He was very cagey and refused to divulge his plans. “Just be assured that I will turn in a special performance tonight,” he promised.  For his part Dharry, who is trained by former Commonwealth champion, Lennox Blackmoore, promised to be his usual classy self which will net him the usual positive results.
Fans also cannot afford to miss the Miguel Antoine/Revlon Lake shindig. The two have fought twice in Barbados and though Lake has lost both, he is disgruntled saying that he was done in by poor officiating.
“We are in Guyana now where the playfield is level and I know I will come out victorious,” spouted the Barbados based Guyanese. The night’s proceedings get underway with Dexter ‘The Kid’ Marques and Orland ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers going after the bantamweight version of the CABOFE crown.
The bouts will not be televised live and fans will not be treated to the usual appearance of amateur boxers.
Meanwhile, at the weigh in last evening held at the regency Hotel, Hadfield Street, Braithwaite enjoyed a 7.2lbs weight advantage after weighing in at 216.6lbs while Cox tipped the scales at 209.8lbs. Both pugilists are confident of victory.
The admission price is $3000 for ringside and half that amount for stands. The action gets underway at 20:00hrs sharp.

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