Hatton reveals real reason he won't fight Witter!

[chris_23]

Regardless of who you think would win there are a couple of facts that people seem to be missing.

Witter needs Hatton more than Hatton needs him, Why? Simple - MONEY.. Witter may have 'The Ring Belt', WBC Belt and be undoutbedly a fantasticly talented fighter, but what he doesn't have is the crowd pulling capacity or the money earning potential.

Witter - if he truly considers himself No 1 shouldn't be so desperate to fight Hatton, he should perhaps:

1. Get a PR Consultant and stop being so annoyingly arrogant
2. Get his ass over to the States
3. Kiss Oscar De la Hoya's ass

Lets look at the basics here - Witter is what 32-33? Whatever he hasn't got too long left and is older than Hatton so he needs to 'cash in his chips' (ie The WBC/Ring Belt) to the maximum and ASAP. If he gets Hatton at Wembley he would arguably get 3-4-5 million as it would be on HBO. Whereas without Hatton he carries on fighting in the fecking Doncaster Dome/York Hall which are tiny venues in Comparison to Hatton selling out Manchester City football stadium.

That said I think Witter is a fabulous boxer but has a bad attitude. You didn't see Clinton Woods acting like that towards Calzaghe did you? If they did fight I'm sure there would be a lot of respect but with Witter there is none.

In that way I can see where Hatton is coming from "Why should I give this guy the biggest payday of his career when all he does is disrespect me?"

In terms of true dislike he's shunning him in the most real way. Nigel Benn refused to fight Eubank for a 3rd time when he heard Eubank was broke because he didn't want to help him out, sounds like Hatton is doing the same thing here...

So the choice is Junior - be nice and play the game and you might get a fight and a few million, on the other hand if you want to be an arrogant macho idiot then crack on mate, but you'll be doing it in the Doncaster Dome on shit money mate...

Its a no brainer for Hatton - why fight him when you can go back to Golden Boy next year have 2-3 fights and earn 10 million plus when by comparison you could get dragged into a domestic fight for less.... Hmmmm I wonder what I'd do... ?

If Witter is arrogant what the hell is Hatton?

Thats the whole point!! Witter needs to PLAY THE GAME and not fight fire with fire... because otherwise he will be percieved as the bad guy. Bottom line is Hatton has just fought a huge money spinner with Mayweather, and theres talk of another, he's got a multi million dollar contract with Golden Boy Productions... he doesn't need Witter..

Its clear there are a lot of Junior Witter fans on here so can I just make it clear THIS IS NOT AN ANTI WITTER POST ITS A COMMON SENSE POST.. Witter needs to get some PR work - not aggresively, but very subtle - not saying he'd fight for free in the sun as it looks desperate because he's WBC/Ring Champ for gods sake - its ridiculous.

On paper he should be happy as Larry but he feels he needs Hatton because of the public perceptions, like a chip on his shoulder.

My thoughts are: Junior Witter - just get on with your own career and it will come if you don't force it - go to America, shmooze old Ozzie De La Hoya/Bob Arum and make yourself some cash. In 5 years time you'll be retired and its then about being confortable for the rest of your life and making sure your kids are provided for and not having an ego problem that Hatton got all the breaks and you didn't..

To start with get yourself a new promoter!!!

[chris_23]

and while I'm on the subject maybe there is a lesson to be learned here for Carl Froch... being aggresive saying you're going to smoke every fuckers boots/knock people out/are not getting the opportunities DOESN'T WORK...

Boxing is about money & politics FACT - Carl Froch & Junior Witter are two of the most talented fighters in the world nevermind britain but they are both in their early 30's with minor promoters and neither have fully achieved their potential YET. I hope to god they do before they are past their best.. there is nothing worse in my opinion than wasted talent..

A lot of this seems to be a case of freezing people out of the picture while they are in their prime and then fighting the 'over the hill' version much much later...

for eg Froch WILL NOT fight Calzaghe FACT... but by the time those titles are available for Froch to fight for he'll be another year older & closer to being over the hill (32-33 maybe? - not sure)

WHY - Because Calzaghe now has the opportunity to fight Hopkins and if he wins one more huge multi weight fight then retire a rich man.. He needs Froch like he needs a hole in the head, not because of anyone smoking anyones boots (nasty nasty boy LOL) but because of MONEY...

the old adage is right MONEY TALKS!!!

Junior Witter learn your lesson before its too late - do what Benn did, get to the States, knock people out and get the Yanks loving you, then the World is your Oyster!!!

Amen....

[Chambers2]

and while I'm on the subject maybe there is a lesson to be learned here for Carl Froch... being aggresive saying you're going to smoke every fuckers boots/knock people out/are not getting the opportunities DOESN'T WORK...

It does if the person you're calling out has balls!! It did when Hatton called out Mayweather on USTV!!

Nobody is disputing that Hatton is the financial draw to this contest, but that's not an excuse for the fight not to happen, especially when Witter's offering to fight him for free. Junior Witter mouthing off at Hatton is also not a valid excuse for not fighting him, Junior shouldn't be made to jump through hoops to get Hatton in the ring, Hatton should man-up

Witter went quiet on the Hatton front for a few years, he wasn't criticising him and even wished him well against Floyd and the fight still wasn't forthcoming, so Juniors gone back to his original approach of taunting Hatton (an age old boxing tactic used by plenty of boxers).... at least he gets some satisfaction this way.

Junior's getting on with his own career, it doesn't revolve around the Hatton fight! that's just the fight the fans want to see and it's the biggest in the LWW division. Witters exposure on ITV will be invaluable if he can put on a good performance. COME ON JUNIOR!!!

[MightyWarrior]

Thats the whole point!! Witter needs to PLAY THE GAME and not fight fire with fire... because otherwise he will be percieved as the bad guy.

Well the good guy / bad guy grudge fights are the ones that really sell aren't they?
Hatton badmouthing PBF is what got him HIS big fight, so his petulant whinging about Witter not showing respect is just pathetic.

By keeping quiet and staying respectful, which he has tried in recent years, Witter is in danger of toiling away into obscurity, against unknown journeymen, like Calzaghe did for so many years. It's very rare that a fighter, like Joe C, gets his big chance so late into his career, and even rarer that he's not past it by the time his chance does arrive.

Witter needs to put on a good show, then ridicule the reluctant Hatton on live TV - really put it to him, no holds barred. Hopefully he'll shame Hatton into the fight.

He's not taking it otherwise.

[Chambers2]

Spud, you blagged two trips with Hatton and you've suddenly become an expert. Look at the posts on here, ask people, what they think and they ARE losing respect for Hatton due to his constant BS regarding the Witter situation. His excuses over the years have not been consistant at all and a new reason appears every week. Team Hatton do make the decisions I agree, but ask yourself who is the boss of team Hatton? What would Team Hatton do without their boss, eff all and be nothing. Hatton makes the decisions and cdhooses to hide behind people who know FA about Boxing, people like you, Spud, yes men in a free tracksuit. The bottom line is, if Hatton wanted to fight Witter and really fancied the job, he would whether his gravy train drivers agreed or not. He IS Team Hatton and hiding behind them is a very transparent excuse indeed unless your rose tinted glasses need a polish.

No one going is around calling Ray or Paul Speak a coward are they. Ricky laces up the gloves and Ricky does the fighting and it will be him who get's called 'chicken' for years to come if he fails to step up, not them.

For me he beats Witter all day long, Witter will fade and go into running mode, it's in his genes he won't change. if Hatton stays off the beer long enough and trains for it he would beat Witter hands down and what a sweet victory it would be for him personally, before he moves on without any publioc pressure. So why doesn't he give his public what they want, maybe for a few quid less I grant you, but eirther way more than he would have got for Castillo and Tszyu due to his increased standing. Give the public a real present, as it was they who swelled his purse to bursting point by buying record PPV for his Mayweather humiliation and they who paid the extortionate mark up on the tickets from HIM (Via team Hatton) so why doesn't he genuinely put something back and give his loyal fans and the sport what's required.

People remember the great British showdowns and I really belive in years to come Hatton-Witter be remembered more by his fans that the Mayweather debacle.

So yes Spud the public, outside the Manchester area, ARE becoming bored with it and ARE losing their respect for him - and I for one think he will regret it some day and it will tarnish an otherwise great career.

Excellent post

[chris_23]

Thats the whole point!! Witter needs to PLAY THE GAME and not fight fire with fire... because otherwise he will be percieved as the bad guy.

Well the good guy / bad guy grudge fights are the ones that really sell aren't they?
Hatton badmouthing PBF is what got him HIS big fight, so his petulant whinging about Witter not showing respect is just pathetic.

By keeping quiet and staying respectful, which he has tried in recent years, Witter is in danger of toiling away into obscurity, against unknown journeymen, like Calzaghe did for so many years. It's very rare that a fighter, like Joe C, gets his big chance so late into his career, and even rarer that he's not past it by the time his chance does arrive.

Witter needs to put on a good show, then ridicule the reluctant Hatton on live TV - really put it to him, no holds barred. Hopefully he'll shame Hatton into the fight.

He's not taking it otherwise.

Hell yeah the good cop - bad cop fights do sell BUT when both are on a similar financial standing...

Eg Benn - Eubank 2 - WBC/WBO Championship fight AND both could easily sell out a huge arena. Now Witter can't do that simple as..

I hope this fight does happen, don't get me wrong it would be a cracker and for the record I think Hatton wins everytime because of styles..

The thing is Witter HASN'T STAYED RESPECTFUL IN RECENT YEARS. Before he won the WBC title he was whinging about Hatton getting the respect/opportunities.

When he won the WBC title I thought "great he'll give it a rest and make some defences/money and maybe Hatton - Witter will happen one day" but for me he's going about it all wrong..

For all the criticism of Hatton Mayweather he got paid 2 or 3 times what he would for Witter, he's 29 and because of his lifestyle isn't perhaps ageing as well as Witter - what would you do?

For the record I'd love to see the fight happen!!

[MightyWarrior]

For all the criticism of Hatton Mayweather he got paid 2 or 3 times what he would for Witter, he's 29 and because of his lifestyle isn't perhaps ageing as well as Witter - what would you do?

Hard to say, but then I probably wouldn't have taken on Tszyu either

Fair enough on his PBF retirement cheque ( twice for good measure ) but serving up the Mex and Magg as his next two PPV "warm ups" is really taking the piss.
Strictly for the football fans is Hatton's career now.

[marvelousmarvin]

For all the criticism of Hatton Mayweather he got paid 2 or 3 times what he would for Witter, he's 29 and because of his lifestyle isn't perhaps ageing as well as Witter - what would you do?

Hard to say, but then I probably wouldn't have taken on Tszyu either

Fair enough on his PBF retirement cheque ( twice for good measure ) but serving up the Mex and Magg as his next two PPV "warm ups" is really taking the piss.
Strictly for the football fans is Hatton's career now.

Exactly how does fighting Laczano and Malignaggi get him ready for Floyd

[MightyWarrior]

Exactly how does fighting Laczano and Malignaggi get him ready for Floyd

Not sure, unless he plans to perfect his headbut-ringpost routine.

[marvelousmarvin]

Exactly how does fighting Laczano and Malignaggi get him ready for Floyd

Not sure, unless he plans to perfect his headbut-ringpost routine.

Dont think that will happen against either of them but hatton aint on welter so why fight not only the best welter out there but the best p4p fighter

[DG.]

I don't see Hattons avoidance of Witter (for whatever reason) as tarnishing his career, history proves this - think of all the great fights that have never been made and it runs into its hundreds.

Hatton has just fought the best fighter in the world and thats where the yardstick stands - not against Witter but with Mayweather.

It's a shame for BRITISH BOXING if the fight doesn't get made but it isn't a fight the whole boxing world are clamouring for - domestic battles do not generate big money - even if the crowds came to watch Benn vs Eubank for example - the rest of the world knew that the best SMs were in the states.

Hatton is an astute guy and enough of a boxing historian to know that a Witter fight will not enhance his legacy in the long run or on a worldwide scale.

Carlos Carlos Carlos,

Hatton is aware that WE will be the main peile talking about him - the writers of today will chew him up once he retires, at the moment they are content will skating around the issue.


Do you think the rest of the world really knows or talks about Eubank Benn they way we do?

The Yanks only caught on to Hatton because of his UK fans.

Hatton avoiding Witter is cowardice and the longer it goes on ( and the daft excuses) the more it harms Hatton.

Ie he leaves it too long - then even f he where to win - it would be

HE BEAT A 36 year old Witter.

This year or not at all!

[DG.]

Witter has GOT to perform against Bradley. He has got to take some risks and get him out of there. If he labors to a points win, it will be horrendous for him.

Also, personally I don't think WItter has been calling Hatton out in his post fight interviews ENOUGH. He doesn't do it enough and with enough intensity. I want him calling Hatton a COWARD for not fighting him and running scared. I want him challenging Hatton any time any place.

It is CRUCIAL that Witter creates this WANTING amongst fans. Then Hatton will be truely shown up for what he is.

Search - I also think that HATTON will be extra nice and try to 'pretend' he will fight Witter soon, only because WITTER will be on ITV and can slate him to millions!

Witter should go for it.

1) Coward
2) Fraud
3) Nummerous excuses
4) Running for 7 years or more!
5) Conning the PUBLIC by making them pay £15.00 to mwatch his next crap fight.


Make sure you beat Bradley inn style and by KO!

THEN SLAUGHTER HATTON WITH WORDS AND MERCHANDISE

Hattons head on a Chicken's body should do - holsd it up to the camera while you speak!

[marvelousmarvin]

Witter has GOT to perform against Bradley. He has got to take some risks and get him out of there. If he labors to a points win, it will be horrendous for him.

Also, personally I don't think WItter has been calling Hatton out in his post fight interviews ENOUGH. He doesn't do it enough and with enough intensity. I want him calling Hatton a COWARD for not fighting him and running scared. I want him challenging Hatton any time any place.

It is CRUCIAL that Witter creates this WANTING amongst fans. Then Hatton will be truely shown up for what he is.

Hatton user witter disrespecting as am excuse yet he disrespected floyd to get that fight

How would hatton feel if floyd had not given him that fight

Your right witter should call him out more

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

I don't see Hattons avoidance of Witter (for whatever reason) as tarnishing his career, history proves this - think of all the great fights that have never been made and it runs into its hundreds.

Hatton has just fought the best fighter in the world and thats where the yardstick stands - not against Witter but with Mayweather.

It's a shame for BRITISH BOXING if the fight doesn't get made but it isn't a fight the whole boxing world are clamouring for - domestic battles do not generate big money - even if the crowds came to watch Benn vs Eubank for example - the rest of the world knew that the best SMs were in the states.

Hatton is an astute guy and enough of a boxing historian to know that a Witter fight will not enhance his legacy in the long run or on a worldwide scale.

Carlos Carlos Carlos,

Hatton is aware that WE will be the main peile talking about him - the writers of today will chew him up once he retires, at the moment they are content will skating around the issue.


Do you think the rest of the world really knows or talks about Eubank Benn they way we do?

The Yanks only caught on to Hatton because of his UK fans.

Hatton avoiding Witter is cowardice and the longer it goes on ( and the daft excuses) the more it harms Hatton.

Ie he leaves it too long - then even f he where to win - it would be

HE BEAT A 36 year old Witter.

This year or not at all!

Do you think they will DG? This all depends on what Junior Witter does in the next two years, at this moment in time what Witter has acheived has been impressive but the slate is nowhere as near as luminous as Hattons slate.

What would the press in 20 years time if Hatton lost to Witter in his next fight? Hatton would be fighting Witter at the tail end of his career just like John H. Stracey did when he fought Dave 'Boy' Green or when Minter did when he fought Sibbo, no-one I know thinks Dave 'Boy' Green had a more accomplished career than Stracey and it is the same here, Hatton has done a lot in his 45 fights and we all know he is past his best and probably cannot make 10 stone.

Don't get me wrong DG, I want this fight to happen also but I just cannot see how Hatton avoiding Witter will affect his future legacy outside the UK - and even with hindsight it will probably be seen as a wise move from fans in this country from the over-the-hill Hatton.

[Captain Hook]

Spud, you blagged two trips with Hatton and you've suddenly become an expert. Look at the posts on here, ask people, what they think and they ARE losing respect for Hatton due to his constant BS regarding the Witter situation. His excuses over the years have not been consistant at all and a new reason appears every week. Team Hatton do make the decisions I agree, but ask yourself who is the boss of team Hatton? What would Team Hatton do without their boss, eff all and be nothing. Hatton makes the decisions and cdhooses to hide behind people who know FA about Boxing, people like you, Spud, yes men in a free tracksuit. The bottom line is, if Hatton wanted to fight Witter and really fancied the job, he would whether his gravy train drivers agreed or not. He IS Team Hatton and hiding behind them is a very transparent excuse indeed unless your rose tinted glasses need a polish.

No one going is around calling Ray or Paul Speak a coward are they. Ricky laces up the gloves and Ricky does the fighting and it will be him who get's called 'chicken' for years to come if he fails to step up, not them.

For me he beats Witter all day long, Witter will fade and go into running mode, it's in his genes he won't change. if Hatton stays off the beer long enough and trains for it he would beat Witter hands down and what a sweet victory it would be for him personally, before he moves on without any publioc pressure. So why doesn't he give his public what they want, maybe for a few quid less I grant you, but eirther way more than he would have got for Castillo and Tszyu due to his increased standing. Give the public a real present, as it was they who swelled his purse to bursting point by buying record PPV for his Mayweather humiliation and they who paid the extortionate mark up on the tickets from HIM (Via team Hatton) so why doesn't he genuinely put something back and give his loyal fans and the sport what's required.

People remember the great British showdowns and I really belive in years to come Hatton-Witter be remembered more by his fans that the Mayweather debacle.

So yes Spud the public, outside the Manchester area, ARE becoming bored with it and ARE losing their respect for him - and I for one think he will regret it some day and it will tarnish an otherwise great career.

Excellent post

ditto.....all that needs to be said

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Hatton is finished, and is one, possibly two fights away from retirement, has ballooned up to 13 stones again and is angling for one more big payday which is not Junior Witter. I doubt he could make 10 stones again even if he wanted to.

I don't think for one second that Ricky Hatton is physically afraid of Junior Witter, sure Witter has the style to make him look a bit of a mug for a few rounds but Hatton has the style to catch up and stop Witter.

Hatton knows not fighting Witter will have no effect on his future legacy. No one says about Nigel Benn/Chris Eubank/Tony Sibson 'Well he ducked Herol Graham' and start making chicken noises.

Hatton has had a illustrious career. If Witter achieves half of what Hatton has then it may mean something.

[DavidPayne]

Hatton has become too sincere.

The Mr. Entertainment line is a joke.

He would earn loads for fighting Witter - loads.

Problem is, it brings risk without kudos in America.

They just want to stay on the PBF-DLH circuit long enough to bank another $25million.

You cant blame him, but just be honest. As he always tells us he is.

"I'm not fighting Junior because its a tricky, awkward risky fight with little to gain by way of comparison to walk forward brawlers like Lazacano - and I need to rebuild to make fights with PBF more plausible as PPV."

"After PBF and DLH, if I'm not too smashed up and Witter will go to 147 pounds, I'll fight him before I retire."

[banjo]

Kostya Tszyu gave Hatton a chance, so Hatton should give Witter a chance. Witter has earned his chance through hard work and taking on risky opposition, sure he has faced the odd tomato can but which fighters haven't?

Hatton on the other hand received his shot at Tszyu by beating old fat lightweights and super feathers like Pep and Pendleton, nobodies like Bailey, Vilches, Smith, Rios, Pederson etc. Phillips was 39, Tackie was coming off back to back defeats, Magee was probably the only prime fighter that he fought pre-Tszyu.

If that is what Hatton calls a great legacy then he can keep it.

[hitman_hatton1]

Hatton has become too sincere.

The Mr. Entertainment line is a joke.

He would earn loads for fighting Witter - loads.

Problem is, it brings risk without kudos in America.

They just want to stay on the PBF-DLH circuit long enough to bank another $25million.

You cant blame him, but just be honest. As he always tells us he is.

"I'm not fighting Junior because its a tricky, awkward risky fight with little to gain by way of comparison to walk forward brawlers like Lazacano - and I need to rebuild to make fights with PBF more plausible as PPV."

"After PBF and DLH, if I'm not too smashed up and Witter will go to 147 pounds, I'll fight him before I retire."

i don't believe it's just a money thing.

hatton has enough of that.

it's about respect.

witter is f*ck all in the big scheme of things.

he can't even headline his own card in may.

he keeps dissing hatton so hatton won't give him his payday.

quite simple really.

hatton is a fighter down to the soles of his boxing boots.

u lot might think he's going for the money with the mayweather rematch.

but u can guarantee he thinks he has a chance of winning a rematch.

[banjo]

Ricky Hatton

Mr Excitement

Says who?

[DG.]

Hatton has become too sincere.

The Mr. Entertainment line is a joke.

He would earn loads for fighting Witter - loads.

Problem is, it brings risk without kudos in America.

They just want to stay on the PBF-DLH circuit long enough to bank another $25million.

You cant blame him, but just be honest. As he always tells us he is.

"I'm not fighting Junior because its a tricky, awkward risky fight with little to gain by way of comparison to walk forward brawlers like Lazacano - and I need to rebuild to make fights with PBF more plausible as PPV."

"After PBF and DLH, if I'm not too smashed up and Witter will go to 147 pounds, I'll fight him before I retire."

i don't believe it's just a money thing.

hatton has enough of that.

it's about respect.

witter is f*ck all in the big scheme of things.

he can't even headline his own card in may.

he keeps dissing hatton so hatton won't give him his payday.

quite simple really.

hatton is a fighter down to the soles of his boxing boots.

u lot might think he's going for the money with the mayweather rematch.

but u can guarantee he thinks he has a chance of winning a rematch.

YOU ARE WORSE THAN PLOPEATER!

A fighter to the sole of his boxing boots?

The only sole that boy likes is Dover with lots of chips!

Excuse after excuse.

ALSO IT S ABOUIT MONEY, why else charge £15.00 even though 50k walk through the door?

ANSWER THAT!

When he ws fighting old lightweoghts and superfeathers trhey were mnoe wporthy than JUNIPOR? I think not!


Carlos,

The UK will judge Hatton in time.

At least Eubank was HONEST about why he would not fight Graham!

Hatons legacy in reality ( if he thinks he is a great) is piss poor!

Piss I tell yu, piss!

PBF - only prime fighter he fought and he barely landed a punch!

He did more damage to the ring post THAN PBF!

[marvelousmarvin]

DG

I take it you dont like hatton

[banjo]

Hatton goes Mooo Mooo

[DG.]

DG

I take it you dont like hatton

I did - then I didn't - then I did - now I don't!

[nickd]

Quite frankly I'm sick and tired of all the Hatton v Witter talk AND the Hatton nuthuggers defending his blatant ducking of Witter.

Seems the Hatton huggers have more excuses than the man himself.