BOXING Emotions high at Whitaker weigh-in

The Warren native and his opponent, Greg Wright, engaged in some verbal sparring.
By BOB ROTH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- Weigh-ins for tonight's "Season's Beatings" holiday boxing card were held Thursday at the Maronite Center.
The event will feature a 12-round International Boxing Council light heavyweight championship bout between Warren's Etianne "E.T." Whitaker and Greg Wright from the Bronx, N.Y.
Whitaker (24-5-2), getting a shot at his first title, appeared for the weigh-in at the scheduled time, but Wright (18-6-2), who has gone the 12-round distance four previous times, arrived a half-hour late.
Wright came from Detroit, where he had been training on short notice at the famed Kronk Gym. His late arrival and the fact that he weighed 180 pounds, 5 over the light heavyweight limit, didn't sit well with Whitaker, who weighed 1721/2 pounds.
Senator Harry Meshel and David Gennaro, representing the International Boxing Council at the weigh-in, gave Wright a time period to lose the 5 pounds, which he did through two hours of saunas and shadow boxing to get to 1741/2 for tonight's title contest.
Talking trash: Before Wright left the Maronite Center, a small war of words ensued between the Bronx fighter and Whitaker.
It started innocently, with Whitaker empathizing with Wright over his weight problem and Wright quietly saying, "I don't have any problems and surely not with you, because it won't matter what weight I am tomorrow night."
Whitaker then said, "It surely won't matter to me either, because when the fight ends, I'll be the champion."
Wright had some words as Whitaker was leaving the Maronite Center.
"I have seen this guy fight, and even with me taking this bout on short notice and not being in the best of shape, his chances of winning are slim," Wright said. "If I really was in shape, his chances would be none."
Wright, who has only six knockouts in his pro career but has never been floored as an amateur or pro, was asked if he could stop Whitaker.
There were no words to his reply, just a big smile.
Other bouts: Tonight's card, co-promoted by Pat Nelson and Lou Schiavoni, will have six other bouts, which includes a ladies four-rounder.
Bonnie Wherry from Cleveland and Leanna Owens from Cincinnati were at the weigh-in, with the rest of the boxers being weighed this afternoon upon their arrival.
The Maronite Center doors open at 6:30, with the first bout at 8. Prices remain $20 general admission, $50 ringside and $400 for a ringside table.