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Shawn Cox goes after another world title belt in historic South Africa encounter
Just over a year after he suffered a technical knockout loss to Russian pugilist, Denis Levedev, for the World Boxing Association (WBA) cruiserweight title at the Crocus City Hall, Myakinino, Russia, Barbadian heavyweight pugilist, Shawn ‘The Sniper’ Cox has traveled to another continent and will face off with South African, Danie Venter in the latter fighter’s hometown, for the World Boxing Federation (WBF) cruiserweight belt tomorrow evening.
Shawn Cox
Cox arrived in South Africa last Thursday and has been putting the final touches to his preparations for tomorrow night’s fight. He is accompanied by his manager/coach, Sam Layne who is exuding confidence that his charge will be the new champion when the smoke is cleared.
In an interview with this newspaper earlier in the week, Layne said that his charge is well prepared and rearing to go. He said that Cox is capable of going the distance but he (Layne) believes the fight won’t go the full twelve rounds.
Conversely, Venter will enjoy home advantage and has promised to give Pretoria a fight worthy of watching. “Saturday is a big evening for us in Pretoria since it’s been 34 years since fans had witnessed a live boxing match,” the South African has been quoted as saying.
His coach, Charles Backhouse said that the crowd can expect exciting and scientific boxing from his charge who has numbing power in both hands and could produce a knockout.
Cox is no slouch nor is he a stranger to Guyanese boxing fans. Ever since he has made his debut on the local scene against Leon ‘The Lion’ Gilkes in September 2010, Cox has endeared himself to Guyanese to the extent that he has been unofficially decreed citizenship by his fans.
He has defeated several Guyanese pugilists including Winston Pompey, Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite and Anthony Augustin. He is a regular feature on the monthly Guyana Fight Night boxing cards.
Mr. Layne said that despite Shawn being born in Barbados he has a close affinity to Guyanese and would like to share the honours with them when he would have won the title. “And so I would like you to convey my sentiments to all Guyanese that (Shawn) will be fighting for their honour,” assured Mr. King.
Under the apartheid system, South Africa has been starved of world class boxing matches and it has been 34 years since Pretoria last saw a world title fight when Gerrie Coetzee, thought to be ‘The White Hope’ clashed with American ‘Big’ John Tate for the World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight title at Loftus Versfeld on October 20, 1979, in front of an impressive crowd of 81 000.
In that context, Cox will be engaged in a historic feat and would be more than anxious to deliver the goods.
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