Springing at the opportunity

Dean Juipe

Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003 | 9:36 a.m.

New champions typically have the luxury of making their first defense against an opponent of their choosing. And such handpicked fights have a tendency to be short on drama.

But new World Boxing Council cruiserweight champion Wayne Braithwaite of Guyana isn't wasting any time in challenging himself. Via his handlers, Braithwaite agreed to fight a man who has the potential to beat him Friday in the main event of an ESPN2 card from the Micosukee Casino in Miami.

"I can see right now they're not trying to hold on to that belt for long," said Braithwaite's opponent, Ravea Springs, who trained in Las Vegas for a fight that he was surprised to see come his way.

"They called me and I said to myself, 'I just saw this kid fight and I know I can beat him,' " Springs said of the scenario that led to him landing the title fight. "I wasn't expecting this fight to come so fast, but I've also waited a long time for an opportunity like this to come my way.

"I think it came at the right time."

Springs, 30, is 25-2 with 19 knockouts and has two recent, significant wins under his belt. Last year he defeated former light heavyweight world champion William Guthrie by knockout, and, most recently, he was a decision winner over the previously unbeaten (and Las Vegas-based) Kelvin Davis.

Braithwaite, 27, is 18-0 with 15 KOs and won the WBC championship by knocking out Vincent Cantatore in the 10th round of their October fight in Italy. Braithwaite was wobbled in the ninth round of that bout but rebounded to claim a title that was vacant at the time as a result of Juan Carlos Gomez moving up to heavyweight.

Springs, whose first name is pronounced "Ra-Vay," is a southpaw from Cincinnati who is ranked No. 7 by the WBC, No. 7 by the IBF and No. 9 by the WBA.

Although he has sufficient power, Springs is the "boxer" and Braithwaite is the "puncher" in this matchup.

"He's tall and strong and he wings his shots," Springs said of Braithwaite. "He comes in with brute strength, but he doesn't jab and his skill level is minimal.

"He's tough and I respect him as a champion. But it's the perfect fight for me and I can't see myself losing.

"With the way he throws wide shots, I'll be able to use my legs and use my ability to think.

"I want to fight guys like that."

Springs, a former Pan American Games bronze medalist, trained at the IBA Gym during his stay in Las Vegas. Several years earlier he trained here with some regularity at the World Gym while working under the late Eddie Futch.

He looked great while defeating Guthrie, a former IBF world champion, and Davis, the latter in a nationally televised fight Aug. 16 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

"I don't think he knows much about me," Springs said of Braithwaite, which, if true, may be a mistake on the champion's part.