By Scoop Malinowski

One of the best-kept secret talents in boxing today is the unbeaten WBC Cruiserweight champ Wayne Braithwaite of Guyana, now based in Brooklyn. The 19-0 knockout artist has 17 stoppage wins.

He was perhaps the most impressive winner at Don King’s “Night of the Undisputed” mega-event last December in Atlantic City. Braithwaite survived the heavy artillery of Panamanian power puncher Luis Pineda who bulled the champ to the ropes and scored some loud punches early. But Big Truck got out of the danger zone and moved to ring center, where he was able to unload some devastating right hands. The hulking Pineda could not endure Braithwaite’s onslaught and the end came dramatically at 1:27. Pineda went down heavily and laid motionless for longer than you like to see.

It was the kind of efficient and commanding display that makes you take notice. I believe Braithwaite, 28, is a force to be reckoned with in boxing and he could have greatness in him.

Here is the latest from a rising star Wayne Braithwaite, definitely ONE to watch in boxing.

BoxingInsider.com: First of all, Great win in Atlantic City.

Wayne Braithwaite: “Thanks man.”

BoxingInsider.com: Were you satisfied with your KO performance?

Wayne Braithwaite: “Yeah, I was happy with my performance. Anybody would be happy with a first-round performance, to be on a card like that with so many champions.”

BoxingInsider.com: Pineda was a big puncher, he looked like a cruiserweight Tyson almost. That guy was strong. What enabled you to win as you did?

Wayne Braithwaite:“I’m a fighter. I have a big heart. I can deal with whatever people bring to me. I don’t back down from nothing. I just hold my ground and try to stay away from his punches. He’s a big puncher. He could punch, but he couldn’t take mine.”

BoxingInsider.com: Who’s the best cruiserweight in the world, do you think?

Wayne Braithwaite: “Me. I am the best. Because I am undefeated. I beat everybody. When my back is against the wall, I always rise to the top.”

BoxingInsider.com: What do you know about your next opponent?

Wayne Braithwaite: “My next opponent is Louis Azille. We fought already. We fought an eliminator bout in Las Vegas on the undercard of Lewis-Rahman. Knocked him out in the third round. So it won’t be nothing different. The only thing is I won’t take him lightly, like the first time. Because I will be ready. I will be more meaner because he is coming for my title. This time I’m the champion. And he has a second chance and I think he will try to make the best of it. On the night of April 17th I will still be undefeated and I will still be champion.”

BoxingInsider.com: So you’ll do it again?

Wayne Braithwaite: “Yeah, I will stop him again. I’m like this: once I beat you one time, you cannot beat me another one.”

BoxingInsider.com: What are the strengths of Azille?

Wayne Braithwaite: “He keeps coming. He’s stocky, keeps coming. He’s a big puncher. I prepare well for anything he brings. I guarantee you the fight won’t go 12 rounds.”