Braithwaite’s world title fight July 6
- boxer says not officially notified
Stabroek News
June 16, 2002
World Boxing Council (WBC) number-one ranked cruiserweight Wayne `Big Truck’ Braithwaite is still uncertain about when he will fight for a world title.
Braithwaite told Stabroek Sport yesterday that he was informed by way of internet web site Fightnews.com that July 6th was the new date for his clash with Italian Vincenzo Cantatore.
"I have received no official notification as yet," Braithwaite said. His trainer Colin Morgan insisted that Cantatore’s camp was attempting to "stress out" Braithwaite.
"We are still training. We have been doing that since February. I think that they (Cantatore’s handlers) are trying to stress us out," Morgan said from his Manhattan home.
Braithwaite was scheduled to take on the Italian for the vacant WBA title on June 1 in Rome. However, the Italian suddenly developed sciatica (inflammation of the sciatic nerve) which resulted in the postponement.
Morgan lamented the fact that up to yesterday no medical record to show proof that Cantatore was not faking illness had been received. "We really don’t know what’s happening at this stage," Morgan added.
Braithwaite is rated within the top 10 by all the major boxing organisations. Both the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organisation have the Guyanese rated third while the Inter-national Boxing Federation has the undefeated fighter ranked sixth. (Steve Neville)