Wayne `Big' Truck Braithwaite pounded out a unanimous decision over game challenger Louis Azille to retain his World Boxing Council's cruiserweight title at the Madison Square Garden last night.
Braithwaite decked the stubborn Azille in the third round with a left hook but the challenger would not go away forcing Braithwaite to go the full distance for the first time in his career.
"I hurt both my hands in the third round," Braithwaite told Stabroek Sports after the fight giving that as the reason why Azille, who weighed in five and three quarter pounds heavier than Braithwaite, was not knocked out.
However, Braithwaite who created history by becoming the first Guyanese to make three successful title defences, said he was glad that he was able to go the distance.
Referee Bill Costello scored the bout 120-107, Arthur Mercante snr. had it 118-107 and Julie Lederman scored it 119-108 for Braithwaite who improved his record to 21 wins no losses with 17 knock-outs.
Azille's record reads 19 fights 3 losses and two draws.
The Dominican-born Azille had his moments especially in the 9th and 11th rounds when he landed some solid punches.
However a showboating Braithwaite, who scored a third-round knockout of Azille in 2001 in a WBC title elimination bout just stuck his tongue out to show he wasn't hurt before proceeding to take care of business.
During the 11th round the controversial Mike Tyson entered the arena causing a commotion.
It was a night of double success for Guyana as `Vicious' Vivian Harris also successfully defended his title against Oktay Urkal of Germany.
Harris's father Herman told Stabroek Sports that the German received a boxing lesson.
"Vivian gave a very good display, "Harris said adding that the Harris Camp has bigger things in store.