by Steve Ninvalle
Stabroek News
May 11, 2001

By now it's almost gospel that Raul Frank wouldn't have an easy task to grab the vacant International Boxing Federation welterweight crown.

Hands down it will be is hardest fight of his 15-year professional career.

He knows it and maybe his promoter Don King knows it too. The US$250,000 offered by King to the quiet spoken welterweight to fight Vernon Forrest is a purse no other Guyanese, with the exception of Terrence Alli, has fought for.

That leads to the first question. Is the amount of money offered somehow related to the arduous task Frank is expected to face at Madison Square Garden tomorrow night? It maybe is. At the pre fight press conference on Wednesday, King declared that the fight would be a super affair. Both fighters are well conditioned and physically prepared for the possible trek to stardom and higher paydays.

Although many Guyanese believe that their homeboy has the tools to accomplish where only Andrew `Sixhead' Lewis has succeeded, the media here in New York underrates Frank. He has been given little chance of coming out on top of the American.

While only a handful of Frank's bouts have been televised, Forrest has been strutting his stuff on the small screen for sometime. It is no secret that the American is looking past the Guyanese and down to a possible date with WBC champion `Sugar' Shane Mosley.

Brimming with confidence, Forrest, who holds an amateur win over Mosley, urged that the judges take a day off tomorrow. The fight, he predicted, would not go beyond six rounds.

That leads to the second question. Could Frank's underdog status work in his favour and prove the cause of his opponent's demise?

Three weeks ago Lennox Lewis became a former heavyweight champion because of over confidence. A relative unknown, Hasim Rahman turned the division upside down with a single punch which not only floored Lewis but dissolved his intended plans for mega bout with Mike Tyson.

One week later our own `Sixhead' felt the WBA welterweight belt slacken around his waist in the first round of his first title defence. Showing little respect for Larry Marks `Sixhead' put into work mode only one half of his fight game and went after Marks without thought of defence.

The rest is history. Near the end of the first round Guyana saw one of her favourite sons in an unusual position, holding for dear life. A quick combination from Marks put the champion in more trouble than he has ever faced in his entire career. Over confidence was obviously roving around during the nights both Lennox Lewis and Andrew Lewis fought and what a fine job it did.

Lewis even admitted it after the bout that he had underrated his opponent. In the meantime Frank has been observant.The negative comments only inspires him. He has pledged to give 110 percent effort. After nine years without a loss he has assured that Forrest will be taken in the allies and treated rough.

Amidst all comments and observations there is a one aspect agreed on by all. If he is to become the second Guyanese to wear a world crown he has got to go to the `Forrest' rather than wait for the Forrest to come to him.

Former Commonwealth featherweight champion Patrick Ford, current junior welterweight Vivian Harris and former Guyana middleweight champion Brian Muller have concluded that, that modus operandi is the best for him.

Muller, who resides in Las Vegas, explained that once Frank shows heart and determination he would prevail. "He has got the style to beat Forrest. Frank is a complete fighter. He is not one-dimensional. If he gets to work early it could prove problems, Muller told Stabroek Sport.

He scoffed at claims that the Guyanese tendency to cut and swell could prove a problem in the later rounds. "Once there is a good cut man in the corner those things will be taken care of. Frank has been swelling and has been cut right through his career. This is not anything new that could affect him, said Muller.

In less than 24 hours more than one question would be answered and Muller and the entire Guyana will know if another son of the soil will wear the coveted crown.

Live viewing of Frank's fight at Sports Hall

Should Raul Frank emerge victorious by defeating Vernon Forrest and become the second Guyanese to win a world boxing title tomorrow night, there will a big opportunity for Guyanese to have maximum celebration at the Cliff Anderson Sports.

Ringside Promotions head Herman Harris has planned a big show and dance which includes live viewing of the bout and a post fight dance at the car park of the Sports Hall.

The fight will be shown on a big screen along with the main bout of the card which will feature Puerto Rican superstar Felix Tito Trinidad taking on Frank Joppy in a world light middleweight elimination bout.

Frank will be aiming to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Andrew `Sixhead' Lewis who defeated American James Page for the WBA welterweight title in February.

His battle with Forrest will be the main supporting bout on a TVKO card in New York which will start from 8 p.m. Guyana time. However, coverage at the Sports Hall will start in time for Frank's fight at around 10 p.m. President Bharrat Jagdeo is expected to be in attendance.

The gates at the Sports Hall will open at 9 p.m. and music from one of the leading sets in Georgetown will provide the entertainment before and after the fight.