Guyanese knock-out specialist Wayne `Big Truck' Braithwaite is a concerned fighter. Braithwaite is disturbed that his second defence of his WBC cruiserweight title will not be televised live on international television.
The 28-year-old is so concerned that next Saturday he plans using Luis Pineda to show just how devastating he is and how much the television audience miss when not able to see him fight.
"I don't know how many more people I'll have to destroy. I'll go in there and deliver fireworks. Maybe that is what it will take to get me on television," the world champion said.
Braithwaite and Penida meet in one of six world title bouts to be staged at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City New Jersey next Saturday.
However, only the main bouts between Bernard Hopkins and William Joppy (WBA,WBC, and IBF middleweight), Ricardo Mayorga versus Cory Spinks (WBA, WBC, and IBF welterweight), Zab Judah and Jaime Rangel (WBO junior welterweight) and Rosendo Alvarez versus Victor Burgos (WBA, IBF junior flyweight) and a heavyweight bout between Hasim Rahman and John Ruiz will be televised on Pay Per View.
The issue underlines a struggle Guyanese world champions have of launching a successful and lucrative career after winning titles. In July WBA junior welterweight champion `Vicious' Vivian Harris could not hold down a television appearance in his first title defence.
Meanwhile, Braithwaite (19-0 with 16 KOs) will use the opportunity on Saturday to attempt to achieve what no other Guyanese fighter has accomplished. Against Pineda, who is ranked fifth by the WBA and WBC and eighth by the WBO, Braithwaite will be trying to become the first Guyanese to win two world title defences.
The undefeated power puncher expressed confidence on increasing a 15-fight knockout streak. "I really don't know much about Pineda. All I know is that the Trinidadian Lennox Lewis defeated him," Braithwaite said.
In only his second professional fight Braithwaite pounded Lewis en route to a four-round decision. That was at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in March 19.
"That does not mean that I'll be taking Pineda for granted. I'm going into this fight prepared for anything."
Braithwaite has fought an average of 4.1 rounds in his 19 professional fights, and his entourage which includes trainers Colin Morgan and Maurice `Bizzy' Boyce leaves for Atlantic City tomorrow.
"I just want to take time out to thank the Guyanese public. I want them to know that Wayne Braithwaite will not let them down and will keep the flag flying high."