Rumblings of earthquake as ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite go after Shawn Corbin

Oct 26, 2012 Sports

Guyana Boxing Board of Control Redemption Affair

By Michael Benjamin
Violent tremors shook the studios of the National Communications Network (NCN) yesterday afternoon and boxing buffs could expect an earthquake when former World Boxing Council (WBC) Cruiserweight champion, Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite and former Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) light/heavyweight champion, Shawn Corbin square off over 12 rounds for the vacant CABOFE cruiserweight title at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall tomorrow night.

Clive Atwell and Prince Lee Isadore mean business for their CABOFE super/lightweight showdown.

Fans may be in for another treat as the organisers are working assiduously to ensure that Jamaican, Rudolph Hedge arrive in time for his CABOFE super/lightweight title fight against Berbician, Richard Williamson.
Elton ‘Coolie Bully’ Dharry was initially billed to oppose Hedge in defense of his CABOFE Bantamweight title but the organisers have indicated that Dharry is unable to keep his ring date and Williamson, when approached, jumped at the offer.
However, the bout which has been reduced to a six rounder was up to late yesterday afternoon still in limbo as the flights out of Jamaica have been suspended until Hurricane Sandy abates. President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), Peter Abdool, said that he is working feverishly to have the Jamaican here for the bout and should he be successful, the boxer should arrive sometime today. He sports a record of 10 fights, winning 7 of them.
Williamson, one of the better amateur pugilists, was regarded as a worthwhile selection for the Olympic trials in Brazil earlier this year; he was also highly touted to qualify and represent Guyana in the very London Olympics. This was not to be as the selectors thought differently and omitted him from the squad citing insufficient funds.
Incensed by their action, Williamson opted to strip off his shirt and clinched a majority verdict over Delon Allicock on debut. In his second bout Williamson looked better than Charlton Skeete from the very first gong and the chimes of the first bell was still resonating when a vicious combination sent his man to the canvass.
Whatever bedeviled the Berbician we will never know but he chose to punch Skeete while he was down and his indiscretion elicited a warning from the referee. Less than one minute later, another volley decked Skeete and as though conforming to a script, Williamson lashed out at his opponent when he was down. They referee promptly disqualified Williamson and awarded the bout to Skeete. The Berbician has said that he will not commit another such sin.
A raging battle is also envisaged when local featherweight champion, Clive Atwell, attempts to add the CABOFE super lightweight title to his collection in a 12 rounds affair against Trinidadian Prince Lee Isadore in what should be a thriller.
Atwell is only now beginning to gel after scoring brutal knockout victories over Rudolph Fraser and Barbadian based Guyanese, Revlon Lake. He has signaled an intention of making it three in a row. However, his opponent flew into Guyana accompanied by his coach, Bharath Ramoutar, yesterday afternoon and scoffed at Atwell’s proclamations. He sports an impressive record of 10 fights with just as many wins, all by the knockout route.
Further, none of his opponents made it past the third round. Atwell is unimpressed and told the Trinidadian that he will have the most torrid time of his life when he faces him. “I checked out his record and while I admit that it looks impressive I must point out that he never fought anyone like me,” declared Atwell.

If looks could kill! Braithwaite (left) and Corbin size up each other ahead of the big fight.

Braithwaite is not the same person that suffered an ignominious defeat to Barbadian, Shawn Cox a few months ago. To begin with, he sports a chiseled body and appears to be in the best of condition. Further, Braithwaite is more contrite and carefully chose his words when asked for a prediction.
He refused to brag of a knockout but did predict a victory. “A win is very important to me,” said Braithwaite. He also apologized to his fans for his poor showing against Cox. “I plan to make amends for that result,” he promised.
Meanwhile, Rudolph Fraser and former bantamweight champion, Dexter Marques will throw down the gauntlet as the former boxer looks to avenge an earlier loss when the two squared off last year. Both have exuded confidence and promised an action packed affair.
CABOFE and local middleweight champion, Edmond DeClou will also square off against Kelsey George in a 4 rounds super/middleweight repeat while Sharon Ward, back after a lengthy hiatus, will square off with Quinda Rogers in a 4 rounds middleweight affair.
The bout is being sponsored in part by Digicel and patrons are urged to retain their ticket stubs for a chance to win two (2) cell phones which will be contested in a draw. Tickets are $3000 for ringside while those for the stands will be sold at one thousand dollars. The action gets underway at 20:00hrs sharp.