World Boxing Council cruiserweight champion Guyanese Wayne `Big Truck' Braithwaite is breathing a sigh of relief after the announcement of a date for his title was made.
It was revealed late last week that Braithwaite will make a mandatory defence on June 28 in Italy against Vincenzo Cantatore, the man he beat last October to win the title.
The fight is tentatively set to be televised by sports network ESPN. Braithwaite said yesterday that he had signed the contract to fight Cantatore last week.
The Guyanese expressed joy at the release of the date and disclosed that training will intensify from Monday. "This time Cantatore will not last as long," the champion promised.
Braithwaite will be under the eye of coach Colin Morgan and Maurice `Bizzy' Boyce. When Braithwaite met Cantatore last year the latter was stopped in round 10.
In his first defence the 27-year-old champion easily took care of Ravea Springs who he knocked out in the fourth round. The fight was staged in Miami in February.
Braithwaite promised that he will be ready for any tricks the Cantatore camp has up its sleeves. "We will be in Italy at least 10 days before the fight. This time we will be fully prepared," the knockout specialist said.
Braithwaite has a 14-fight knockout streak which started on July 25, 1998 when he knocked out Wayne Harris in round seven.
Since turning professional in February of 1997 the hard-hitting native of Plaisance has fought a total of 79 rounds in 19 fights, averaging four rounds per fight.
Meanwhile, Guyana's lone world rated heavyweight Andre `Stone' Purlett is negotiating a contract to provide glove work for world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis.
If all goes well Purlett should be in the Poconos Mountain in Pennsylvania by this weekend. Lewis is preparing for a June 21 bout against American Kirk Johnson.