Guyana’s Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite will make the second defence of his title against Italian Vincenzo Cantatore sometime later this year.
An Italian promoter has won the bid to stage the fight with the likely venue being Italy. The purse bid, held Monday night, was won by Italian promotional group OPI which submitted a bid of US$280,000.
However, Braithwaite said that while he only learnt of the purse bid on Monday he is confident that Cantatore will be in for an even tougher time now.
Cantatore is rated in the top twelve by the three major world organisations. The WBC ranks him at number two while the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association has him ranked number six and 11 respectively.
“It doesn’t really matter to me when the fight is kept or where. He was knocked out then and he will be knocked out again. This time it will be earlier,” Braithwaite told Stabroek Sport.
“I have no problem in fighting Cantatore again,” Braithwaite said adding that the Italian was surprisingly named the mandatory opponent even though he was defeated less than six months ago.
“His camp protested that the fight was stopped controversially and I think that that had something to do with him getting a return so quickly,” the champion stated.
Last October 11, Braithwaite knocked out Cantatore in round 10 to snatch the vacant World Boxing Council cruiserweight title. The fight was staged in Italy.
“I had a lot of problems going into the first fight. I had managerial problems and other stuff that worried me. That’s all behind me now. He will receive an even worse whipping,” Braithwaite declared.
Internet website Fightnews.com reported that OPI’s vice president Christian Cherchi said that no date has been set for the title clash, but early summer is a likely option.
However, Braithwaite said he envisaged the fight could be held as early as June.
Last year Braithwaite endured no less that three postponements before he clashed with the Italian but warned that this time he will be better prepared mentally and physically.
“I don’t know what his tactics will be this time but I’ll be prepared for anything this time. He can even try turning his back as he did in the first fight,” Braithwaite, who will turn 28 early August, said.
The WBC champion, undefeated in 19 fights (16 knockouts) made his first defence on February 21 against American Ravea Springs whom he knocked out in round four.
He plans unifying the titles before giving consideration to moving up to heavyweight.
The International Boxing Federation (IBF) title is held by Vassily Jirov while the World Boxing Association (WBA) champion is Jean Marc Mormeck.