Wright Hits the Big Time at Last

Taylor Bout Presents the Veteran With His Biggest Opportunity

"I always knew my time would come," said Winky Wright, who has worked his trade on four continents. (By Charles Rex Arbogast -- Associated Press)

MEMPHIS, June 16 -- Winky Wright spent more than a decade boxing in foreign lands while forging a reputation as one of the most feared pugilists in the world. He fought in France, Monaco, Argentina and England and won bouts in such nondescript places as Monroe, Mich., and Chester, W.Va.

So as Wright faces undisputed middleweight champion Jermain Taylor in the fight of his life on Saturday night, with a big-time payday ($3.5 million) that some boxing observers believe is long overdue for the left-handed challenger, it seems only fitting the bout will take place at FedEx Forum here, instead of under the bright lights of Las Vegas.

Wright, who was born in the District and lives in St. Petersburg, Fla., does not duck menacing opponents, even if it means fighting less than 150 miles from Taylor's home town of Little Rock.

"I've fought a lot of guys in their home country where the only support I had was in my corner," Wright said. "It really doesn't matter; you've still got to step up into that square. I've fought everywhere."

Wright isn't exaggerating. He has fought more than 50 times (50-3, 25 KOs) in his 16 years as a professional boxer in eight countries on four continents, mostly for paltry sums in cities he couldn't pronounce.

"He traveled all over the world chasing fights," said Gary Shaw, Wright's promoter. "I don't think there is anyone who has fought so much overseas."

Wright, 34, won his first 25 bouts as a professional and wasn't beaten until he agreed to fight WBA super welterweight champion Julio Cesar Vasquez for $50,000 in August of 1994 in another unknown gym in an unfamiliar land. Fatigued by the heat and mosquitoes in Saint Jean de Luz, France, and off-balance because of the slick soles of his new shoes, Wright was knocked down five times by the champion and lost a unanimous decision.

Undaunted, Wright returned to fighting in places such as Tucuman, Argentina, and Levallois, France, and won nine more bouts in the next two years. Finally, after winning 35 of his first 36 professional fights to little fanfare in his native country, Wright fought newly crowned WBO junior middleweight champion Bronco McKart in April 1996. But the fight came with a caveat for the challenger -- Wright had to fight in the champion's home town of Monroe, Mich.

"Well, at least I could pronounce Monroe," Wright said.

Wright won a split decision and McKart's championship belt, but the sport's biggest promoters still weren't interested in signing the predominantly left-handed puncher. Wright fought once more in Michigan, then twice in England and once in South Africa. He returned to the United States and fought in places such as Chester, W.Va., and Indio, Calif. It wasn't until his 48th fight that Wright made his Las Vegas debut.

In the last two years, Wright has earned his place among the sport's most feared fighters. In March 2003, Shane Mosley agreed to fight Wright in a junior middleweight unification bout. Mosley, who had twice beaten Oscar De La Hoya, received $2.1 million for the fight; Wright earned less than half of that -- $750,000 -- but won a unanimous decision to become the first undisputed light middleweight champion in 29 years.

Wright and Mosley fought again seven months later, and Wright won the fight on two judges' scorecards (the third scored the bout a draw). Just as importantly, Wright received $1.6 million in his first title defense, his first big payday in what had been a vagabond career.

"The best wouldn't fight me," Wright said. "When I finish the game, I want them to say: 'Winky Wright fought everybody. Winky Wright didn't duck anybody.' I'm here because I've earned my way."

Wright proved he wouldn't duck a challenge when he moved up a weight class and fought WBC/WBA No. 1 middleweight contender Felix "Tito" Trinidad in May 2005. Wright, who was long considered a great tactical fighter with little marketability because of his defensive style, proved to be a pretty good pay-per-view draw. The fight was purchased by more than 500,000 viewers -- the biggest pay-per-view sale last year -- and he dominated Trinidad, a former world champion in three weight classes.

"Skills sell fights and nothing else," said Dan Birmingham, who has trained Wright since he was an amateur. "Nobody ever wins the war of the jabs with Winky. Great fighters are very offensive. Most of the time it's off the jab. Ask Felix Trinidad. After Winky beat him, Trinidad said: 'You don't see the punches. You just feel them. If they don't think Winky Wright is strong, just ask me.' "

Wright believes Taylor (25-0, 17 knockouts) is a more dangerous opponent than Trinidad, albeit less experienced. Wright is three inches shorter than the champion and his reach is six inches shorter. But Emanuel Steward, Taylor's legendary trainer, called Wright "the best pound-for-pound fighter" in the sport.

"Jermain has a lot different skills than Tito," Wright said. "With Tito, I knew all I had to worry about was the power. He wanted to throw hooks, and he wanted to throw a right hand. I knew I could pick that off. You aren't ever going to get me with one big shot. But Jermain is coming with more boxing and more speed."

This fight, like the Trinidad and Mosley fights, will continue to shape Wright's legacy.

"I always knew my time would come," Wright said. "If they kept running from me, and if I beat all the rest, the best had to fight me. I've earned my way here."

And maybe, with a victory Saturday, he might finally be able to dictate where his next fight will be.