Purlette to fight on HBO Latino March 6
By Steve Ninvalle
in Maryland
Stabroek News
February 15, 2003
Guyana's lone professional heavyweight boxer Andre 'Stone' Purlette will be back in the ring on March 6. Purlette is to face a yet to be named opponent in his first bout of 2003. The fight will be televised live on HBO Latino Purlette said in an interview with Stabroek Sport.
"That is a new show that Oscar De La Hoya created and I'm gonna be on that show," Purlette said. Purlette has only lost once in 36 fights and was scheduled to tackle world rated Lance `Mount' Whittaker. That fight fell through after Whittaker pulled out.
Purlette said that in preparation for his upcoming bout he will provide glove work for compatriot Wayne `Big Truck' Braithwaite who will defend his World Boxing Council cruiserweight title on Friday. Braithwaite defends against Ravea Springs who is rated within the top 10 of the four major world bodies.
Purlette, a former North American Boxing Organisation champion, moved a step closer to his dream when he knocked out American Crawford Grimsley in the third round to win the vacant World Boxing Council Latin American heavyweight title last year.
The fight was held in the Czech Republic recently. Grimsley surprised the Guyanese by decking him in the first round. However, Purlette took the mandatory eight count and returned to dominate his opponent to secure his 35th victory in 36 fights.
A barrage of punches forced the referee to call a halt to the fight with 30 seconds left in the round.
More than half of his victories were in the 190-pound cruiserweight division.
