By Emmerson Campbell
Will the ‘Big Truck’ roll over the ‘Sniper’ or will the ‘The Sniper’ shoot down the ‘Big Truck’?
That question will be answered on February 25 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall when former World Boxing Council (WBC) cruiserweight champion Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite collides with the WBC Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) cruiserweight champion Barbadian, Shawn ‘The Sniper’ Cox.
The bout along with others became official at the contract signing yesterday at the Abdool and Abdool building on Avenue of the Republic.
The two knockout specialists will be fighting for the vacant WBC CABOFE heavyweight title in the headline bout when the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) presents an all-pro card that will feature four other CABOFE title fights dubbed the WBC Cup: Caribbean Champions.
The main supporting bout will feature Guyana’s middleweight champion Edmond DeClou matching gloves with former WBC CABOFE junior middleweight champion, Trinidadian Kevin Placide for the vacant middleweight title.
Also on the undercard, former CABOFE junior welterweight champion, undefeated Barbadian Miguel ‘Hands of Stone’ Antoine will have a rematch with Barbados-based Guyanese Revlon Lake for the vacant super lightweight title. Antoine knocked out Lake in round five in their initial encounter in 2009.
Reigning bantamweight champion USA-based Guyanese, Elton ‘Coolie Bully’ Dharry will defend his title against Barbadian Selwyn Lett.
For the vacant flyweight title, journeyman Orlan ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers will try to avenge his points defeat to Dexter ‘The Kid’ Marques that he suffered in 2010.
Each fight will be fought over twelve championship rounds.
The card is a true mix of local and Caribbean fighters which will provide the winners with the opportunity to represent the Caribbean at the WBC Cup that boxes off in May.
The WBC Cup is a 40-week tournament to celebrate the WBC’s 50th anniversary. It will allow boxers in the tournament from all around the world to receive lucrative pay days as well as international exposure.
The winner of each division in the WBC Cup will walk away with US$250,000 (50 million Guyana dollars) and even the very first round of elimination fights as CABOFE champions, according to reports, will earn as much as US$20,000 (four million Guyana dollars) to US$30,000 (six million Guyana dollars) for the losers and US$50,000 (10 million Guyana dollars) to US$70,000 (14 million Guyana dollars) for the winners, sums that are usually not readily available at this stage of a fighter’s career.
Braithwaite who is USA-based and trains at the world famous Gleason Gym in Brooklyn, New York has an outstanding record of 24 wins and four losses with 20 of his wins by knockout. The former world champion who has never lost on home soil will be looking to crush the ‘Sniper’ and keep his local undefeated record intact.
The ‘Sniper’ who is also undefeated in Guyana will be looking to take out Braithwaite and to keep that record unblemished. Cox has a professional record of 15 wins, one loss with 14 of his wins by the KO route. Cox’s last victory was a first round demolition of Guyana’s current cruiserweight and heavyweight champion Kurt Bess last December.
Meanwhile, president of GBBC and CABOFE, Peter Abdool who was at the contract signing, noted that after this month he will ensure that all the current CABOFE champions are engaged in warm-up fights before the WBC Cup in order for them to stay as sharp as possible.
He also emphasized that the GBBC and CABOFE will be taking a strong interest in the fighters who will be representing the Caribbean in terms of their training, nutrition, etc in order to give the region the best representation possible
Ringside seating will cost $3000 while seating in the stands will cost $1500. Action starts at 20:00hrs and the event will not be televised live.
Regular Guyana Fight Night passes will not permit holders to enter the venue.
