The linkage with legendary boxing promoter Don King may have started bearing fruits for World Boxing Council crusierweight champion Wayne `Big Truck’ Braithwaite.

November 1 is the date given for Braithwaite’s second defence of his title against American O’Neil `Give Em Hell’ Bell. Braithwaite recently signed a $US1M three-year promotional contract with King.

“Don King told me personally that I’ll be fighting Bell on November 1. We don’t have a venue as yet but that fight will be held in the USA. I don’t think that I’ll be fighting outside of the USA for a while,” the champion said from his home in Brooklyn yesterday.

Breathing a sigh of relief Braithwaite said that he expects to fight frequently now that he has signed with King. The Bell fight will be the second this year for Braithwaite who is undefeated in 19 professional bouts (16KOs).

Bell, 21-1-1 (20KOs), is the top ranked WBC cruiserweight and ranked among the top four by the other three major world organisations. Boxing insiders are of the opinion that the American will be the toughest test yet for the champion.

“I have seen Bell fight and I know that he wouldn’t be able to last against me. I expect to be fighting frequently with this new contract that I have signed,” Braithwaite declared.

Braithwaite won the WBC title last October after finishing Italian Vincenzo Cantatore in the 10th round. He successfully defended it in February with a fourth round stoppage of Revea Springs.

The champion informed that his training will intensify from next month.