In his first fight for 2002 twenty seven year-old Wayne `Big Truck' Braithwaite became the second Guyanese fighting under the Golden Arrowhead to win a world title when he silenced Italian Vincenzo Cantatore in round 10 to win the vacant World Boxing Council cruiserweight crown in Italy yesterday.
After dropping Cantatore in round five the undefeated power-punching Guyanese rushed to his 15th knockout victory in 18 fights when Mexican referee Guadalupe Garcia halted the carnage with two rounds remaining in the championship bout.
It was the first time since he joined the professional ranks in 1996 that he was forced to go 10 rounds.
"This was my hardest fight ever. I hit him with everything that I had. He was strong and very dirty.
The venue was on a mountain and the air was very thin. I was kind of tired going into the ninth round," the new champion told Stabroek Sport from his hotel last night.
"He had the best of me in round nine when I became a little tired because of the thin air. I wasn't prepared for that but was able to come back and finish the job. I feel good."
"I told you that I was the champ before I met Cantatore. I have now made it official. Now I'll go on to better things," Braithwaite said.
"I would have kept my promise of knocking him out by the fifth round but after he was dropped he came up butting and doing all kinds of dirty stuff. I went back to and `Bizzy' (Maurice Boyce) and Colin (Morgan) told me not to complain but to finish the job," the Plaisance native said.
Braithwaite revealed that the victory was even sweeter since his corner was all Guyanese. Trainers Colin Morgan and Maurice `Bizzy' Boyce hail from the Land of Many Waters.
"You know that this is the first time that we have had an all Guyanese crew doing this sort of thing. This one is for Guyana and every Guyanese abroad ," he added.
"I just want to say thanks to Keith Bazilio, my former trainers Gordon Williams and Michael Barker, John Douglas, Randy Tappin, Anthony 'The Pearl' Andrews, Andrew Hisman and all the others who have assisted me in making it to the top. Being a champion is a wonderful feeling."
According to Braithwaite, Cantatore was not his only opponent last night since he had to face an angry Italian crowd.
"The crowd was dirty too. They started throwing paper cups and other missiles when the fight was stopped. We had to be protected by security," he disclosed.
Braithwaite, who hails from the East Coast Demerara village of Plaisance follows in the footsteps of Andrew `Sixhead' Lewis who won the WBA welterweight title last year.
"I really can't say how I feel at this moment. It's something that you can't explain. What I know is that I'll go back to Brooklyn and rest for a while. Maybe a month. Then I'll take it from there. I can't believe that my dream has come through. I have made my country proud,'
Braithwaite's mother Claire, who could not make the trip to Italy, said that she was overwhelmed by the victory. "After all these years, postponements and disappointments my son has finally won a world title. I'm overwhelmed," the elder Braithwaite said.
And in a release to the media president of Guyana Boxing Board of Control KD Persaud said his organisation was elated at the victory.
"Today we are all proud and happy that one of the nobel sons of the soil has done it again. We as a board, the boxing fraternity and all Guyanese must stand tall and salute this noble son who has attained a rightly deserved world champion status.
The first time he stepped into the professional arena we knew that he was a world champion in the making. and today he has proved his worth and endorsed the pattern set by his predecessor `Six Head'.
We sincerely trust that the government will richly bestowed on him that which is deserving. And when he returns to Guyana would be given a hero's welcome," the release concluded. (Back to top)
President Jagdeo excited about Braithwaite's win
By Donald Duff
President Bharrat Jagdeo is excited about the success of Guyana's Wayne `Big Truck' Braithwaite, his press officer Robert Persaud said yesterday.
The 27-year-old Braithwaite won the vacant World Boxing Council cruiserweight title last night when the referee Guadelupe Garcia halted the bout to save a defenseless Italian Vencenzo Cantatore from further punishment.
Persaud told Stabroek Sport shortly after the news broke of Braithwaite's knockout victory that the president would be sending off a congratulatory cable to Braithwaite.
"He has done all Guyana proud... the president is excited about his success," Persaud told Stabroek Sport.
Persaud said the president wished to convey the fact that Braithwaite's win was not only a win for himself but for all Guyanese.
Persaud pointed out that the government is represented through minister Jennifer Westford.
"She is there representing the government and people of Guyana and to give moral support and to join with him in the celebration of this happy moment," Persaud said.
The unbeaten Braithwaite took his record to 18 wins with 15 knockouts while Cantotore dropped to 27-3.
The two, Braithwaite and the 30-year-old Cantotore fought for the title vacated by Juan Carlos Gomez of Cuba.
Lumumba, Bazilio, Arno hail Braithwaite's victory
By Michael DaSilva
As Guyanese start celebrating Wayne `Big Truck' Braithwaithe's World Boxing Council cruiserweight title victory over Italian Vincenzo Cantatore, local boxing promoter Keith Bazillo is calling on the authorities to afford Guyana's second world champion a similar welcome on his return.
Braithwaithe stopped Cantatore in the 10th round to become the second Guyanese, fighting under the Golden Arrow Head, to win a world boxing title. The first was Andrew `Six Head' Lewis who won the World Boxing Association welterweight title last year but subsequently lost it this year.
Speaking to Stabroek Sport by telephone last evening, Bazillo said "I am extremely happy that my fellow Guyanese has won, but I am not surprised, I knew once he got the title shot he would have won."
"I am happy to know that all Guyanese celebrated (Andrew) 'Six Head' (Lewis) WBA victory last year, and I hope 'Big Truck' will have the same treatment" Bazillo continued.
Ministrial Adviser on Empowerment, Odinga Lumumba told Stabroek Sport "I think with all the problems in Guyana at the moment, it's (winning the title) a positive light. This is what we need in Guyana, not negative things."
Lumumba, a former manager for the late Andrew Murray said he thinks Braithwaithe has the potential to move to the heavyweight division and do good.
"He has the potential to fight in the heavyweight division, and if he want the big bucks he will have to go there." Lumumba said.
Lumumba opined that Braithwaithe's represents a hope of light of being the first heavyweight champion from the Caribbean. "That's the way to go if he wants real money" Lumumba added.
Lumumba, who like Bazillo, was confident Braithwaithe would have won, said Braithwaithe would get the same kind of welcome home that Lewis got on his return last year. "We don't discriminate" Lumumba stated.
According to Bazillo who assisted Braithwaithe to some extent during his amateur as well as professional career, The Plaisance born Bratitwaithe told him (Bazillo) personally to tell all the residents of Plaisance, he needs a big celebration when he return home. "This victory is for Plaisance Bazillo said.
Bazillo said it would be good if the residents of Plaisance or those in authority erect banners in Plaisance and around the country, Congratulating the new world champion.
"The 'Truck' is a young guy who I know will keep the title for a very long time" Bazillo opined adding "I hope other young boxers take an example from him (Braithwaithe). He is a very disciplined boxer. When he was an amateur, he said to me, I (Braithwaithe) won't be able to wait around to win an Olympic medal, but I will go forward and win a world title." Bazillo quoted Braithwaithe as saying.
Guyana Boxing Board of Control's (GBBC) secretary Trevor Arno, in an invited comment said he is extremely happy for Braithwaithe and he knew all along that Braithwaithe would have won, but he would have been worried if the fight had gone the full distance (12 rounds), since Braithwaithe was fighting in Cantatore's home town (Italy), and could have suffered a controversial loss.
Arno said the GBBC will make an attempt to contact the hotel in Italy where Braithwaithe is staying, to offer their personal congratulations. Popular television personality Basil Bradshaw who also hails from Plaisance, said he too is extremely happy for Braithwaithe and Plaisance, but most of all, for Guyana. "We would be further recognised in the world, since it's our second world title" Bradshaw said. Well known Plaisance businessman, Leslie `Pro' Bumbury is overjoyed that Braithwaithe has won, so much so that he promised to fete his customers last evening.