BOXING Bronx belter answers call as Whitaker's opponent

The 29-year-old Warrenite's light-heavyweight fight will be the final of seven bouts Friday night.
By BOB ROTH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- Late Monday, Pat Nelson, co-promoter of the boxing card Friday at the Maronite Center, received word that veteran Louisville, Ky., fighter Glen Thomas had broken his wrist while sparring at his North Carolina camp.
Thomas was scheduled to battle Warren's Etianne "E.T." Whitaker in a 12-round main event for the vacated International Boxing Council world light heavyweight championship.
Nelson went to work on the telephone and within hours came up with an opponent for Whitaker.
The new challenger is Greg Michael Wright from the Bronx, N.Y., who has an 18-6-2 record with six knockouts since turning pro in April of 1993.
Wright held the NABF light heavyweight title before losing it to Chris Johnson in July 2000. He also fought for the USBA light heavyweight crown and has gone 12 rounds four times.
"I went on an immediate search after I received medical confirmation on the Thomas injury, and fortunately Wright, who we believe is a tougher opponent, was available," Nelson said Tuesday.
"I had Wright approved by the boxing commission, and now all Whitaker has to do is fight him for the title."
Wright's stuff: When Whitaker was asked about the change, he said, "I have seen Wright fight and he is a good boxer who is tall with long arms, which give him a very good reach and helps his good jab.
"The thing about this guy is that he is hard to hit because he tries to use different angles in the ring as he is smart and very cagey," Whitaker said, "but I will stay behind my left jab and put some power shots with it that will make a difference for me."
So it will be Wright, who will turn 32 in February, against the 29-year-old Whitaker in the main event. It will be the final of seven bouts, with the doors opening at 6:30 and the first fight at 8. The weigh-ins for the Friday card will begin at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Maronite Center.
Tickets for the event are $20 for general admission and $50 for ringside table seats, with tables going for $400.
The largest ticket outlet is the Maronite Center, (330) 792-7671. For ticket delivery service, contact Nelson at (330) 270-9443 or (330) 509-4099.