Wayne Braithwaite: The Long Road Back
Kyle Raymond - 9/1/2005
About 7 months ago Wayne Braithwaite was a feared cruiserweight champion, who had no plans of losing his title. He was preparing for a big unification fight against Jean Marc Mormeck, and it was supposed to be a fight to put "Big Truck" on the map. Not many people gave Mormeck a chance, since he won a very close decision against Virgil Hill, but this is the sport of the unexpected. Well, the unexpected happened that fateful night of 4/2/05 and Braithwaite got outworked by Mormeck, and lost a clear unanimous decision. Was it a bad night or was Wayne Braithwaite overrated from the start? All these questions are going to be answered next Saturday night when Big Truck faces Guillermo Jones in a big fight, again on Showtime.
This isn't just your typical tune up fight, as this will be a very tough fight for the former cruiserweight champion. Usually after a tough fight where the champ loses convincingly, he wants to take an easy fight for mental reasons, just to stay sharp, or even looking for bigger things. This isn't the case with Braithwaite, as he will be facing Guillermo Jones, who is 32-3 and has faced some good opponents. Recently Jones has beaten another former champion in Kelvin Davis. This doesn't bode well for Braithwaite since he is also a former champion, but obviously that will play no role in the result for this fight. Guillermo Jones has also fought Steve Cunningham and Johnny Nelson, in which he lost a close decision, and got a draw. Jones has the credentials, as he is a former junior middleweight champion, and a definite cruiserweight contender. Braithwaite needs to win this fight or else he will be at square one, and scraping for small fights in small venues. Jones, with a victory, can make noise in this division and will probably get a title shot. He would certainly deserve one in defeating two former champions, and solid contenders. This fight is a big match, and either fighter can pull off a victory in this battle.
One thing writers will be commentating about, regardless of the outcome, is how Braithwaite looks. He looked lethargic against Mormeck, and even in the late rounds against Louis Azille, but this is a new day. One thing we know about Wayne Braithwaite, is that he has a lot of power and likes to keep coming. In a match against Vincenzo Cantatore, he had the ref against him and had to make his own way in this fight. He never gave up, and eventually was able to get to Cantatore, stopping him in the 10th round to win the vacant WBC title. He is going to need this type of hunger and fight in him if he plans on being champion again. We all know he has good power, as evident in his first round knockout of Luis Pineda. That was a fight where they were trading on even terms, but one right hand from Braithwaite made it uneven, and he was declared the victor. If he can start putting performances like those in, he will become a bright commodity amongst the media, and will get the credit he deserves.
It is hard to say how this match will come off, since I've never seen Jones fight, but both fighters want it bad. Jones is coming off a huge upset victory over Kelvin Davis, and his confidence is probably at a high, while Braithwaite is coming off a tough loss. Braithwaite had nothing to be ashamed of though in getting beat by Mormeck, a very good fighter from France. He will come ready as well, so this is probably an even match on paper, but who knows how it could play out in the ring. I believe Braithwaite will begin his long road back, and make that road a lot shorter. He will pressure Jones and stop him in the late rounds next Saturday night. It should be a big victory too since it is on Showtime, and going to be a WBA title eliminator. This is the road back for a former champion, and like a true champ he is bouncing back against a strong opponent.
FINAL FLURRIES
Also on the September 3rd Showtime card, is a compelling heavyweight match between Owen Beck and Ray Austin. This is going to be a good match, and a good addition to the falling apart fight card. I'm going to take Beck in a decision here, but don't be surprised if Austin wins this match
Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson had to pull out of his match against Jhonny Gonzalez due to a torn muscle. Poor guy can't catch a break in his career. All he wants is the big fights, but nobody wants to fight him, and now since he lost his title, he's been out of action. Best of luck to Too Sharp in the future because he is a great fighter.
Omar Sheika gets yet another title shot in Germany against Markus Beyer. This guy keeps getting big fights, but he can't seem to prevail in them. Of course though, the fight will be interesting and entertaining. I think Sheika will make things interesting too for Beyer, but in the end Beyer will win the decision using his good boxing skills.
I hope this great state, Minnesota, gets a commission quick. The ABC is saying that states without commissions are unable to have fight cards unless it’s a special circumstance. Minnesota has had some pretty good cards with good local fighters so it would be sad if we can't have fight cards.
Well that’s it folks, take care, and keep rolling with the punches
Kyle Raymond
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