'Big Truck' eyes the heavies
By Steve Ninvalle in New York
Stabroek News
April 14, 2004
In recent times Wayne Braithwaite has increasingly cast longing glances over to the heavyweight division. Not only do heavyweights make much more money but also traditionally the division has always been regarded as the most prestigious in boxing. Over the years many have jumped over from the lighter divisions to seek bigger dollars, popularity and respect among the heavies.
Michael Spinks quickly comes to mind. Evander `The Real Deal' Holyfield and James` Lights Out' Toney follow. Spinks shocked the world in the 1980s when he moved up from light heavyweight to defeat heavyweight champion Larry Holmes.
A well-conditioned Holyfield took more time but still crossed over from cruiserweight and became champion of the heavyweights defeating the likes of Riddick `Big Daddy' Bowe and Mike Tyson in the process. So it came as no surprise when Braithwaite, the World Boxing Council's cruiserweight champion declared that he has plans of travelling the heavyweight road.
"Of course I have plans of moving up to the heavyweight division but not right now." Braithwaite told Stabroek Sport just after going through a training session at the Crunch Gym in Manhattan. "I think that it is every one's dream to be the best that he or she can be and to reach their true potential. In order for me to achieve this I would have to move up to heavyweight," Braithwaite said.
However, the undefeated champion revealed that a move south would not be made in the near future.
"After this fight I will have to take on the winner of the Virgil Hill versus Jean Marc Mormeck or O'Neil Bell. My main focus is to dominate the cruiserweight division then move up to heavyweight," the Guyanese said.
Braithwaite explained that dominating the cruiserweight means taking care of all the top fighters in the division. "The titles, it would mean winning all three of the major titles," he added. At present the International Boxing Federation title is vacant while Johnny Nelson is the World Boxing Organisation champion, Mormeck is the WBA champion.
Braithwaite defends his title against Louis Azille on Saturday at Madison Square Garden. The fight will be televised live on Home Box Office (HBO) Pay-Per-View channel. The champion promised that Azille would be in for a tough time Saturday and he will retain his title.
"Right now I'm good to go. I'm well prepared and my body is in good condition. I'm going to give a good performance. I don't think that I really need a knock out to prove anything. I'm prepared for 12 rounds. I don't need to knock him out. I just need to beat him up and that's what I'll do."
The champion is undefeated in 20 fights while Azille has been defeated twice in 22 trips to the ring.