Government delivers on promise to 'Big Truck'
Stabroek News
December 5, 2002
The government Guyana delivered on their promise of $5M to Wayne `Big Truck' Braithwaithe for winning the World Boxing Council's Cruiserweight title.
Braithwaithe, and `Vicious' Vivian Harris who won the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Association's junior welterweight titles, were promised $5M each along with a house lot by the Government of Guyana.
It is not certain if the promise of the house lot has been fulfilled, since, none of the media representatives present were allowed to ask questions.
It is not certain also whether Harris who returned to New York a few weeks, has received his cheque, but it was reported that he will receive his cheque in New York.
Yesterday, President Jagdeo made his entry into the Blue Room, walked over to Braithwaithe and said "this is it", handed the cheque to Braithwaithe, before posing with the champion and his mother for a photograph, then said to Braithwaithe, "lets have a discussion".
Members of the media were then ushered out of the room.
However a press release from the government information agency (GINA) stated that Braithwaite has already chosen a house lot at Diamond middle-income housing scheme East Bank Demerara, The lot is valued at 1,25m and construction will start when he returns from the US next year-end.
'I think it is nice that they delivered on the promise. I am a proud Guyanese and will continue to do my best to bring pride to Guyana," Braithwaite was quoted as saying in the release.
The release also stated that Harris who only spent a week in Guyana will receive his gift in the US. Guyana's Consul General Brentnol Evans will present the cheque to Harris in US dollars.
Harris, the release stated has also chosen his house lot at Diamond.
This newspaper was informed of the 4.20pm handing over ceremony at 4pm yesterday.
