Witter to take the European Route back to the top.

DG. · Post by **DG.** » 11 May 2008, 09:22

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 06,00.html

Junior Witter has vowed to carry on boxing despite his light-welterweight title defeat to American Timothy Bradley at the Nottingham Arena on Saturday night.

Witter's points defeat to Bradley ended any faint hopes the 34-year-old had of securing a domestic super-fight with Ricky Hatton.

Despite the setback, 'The Hitter' insists he has no qualms about the hard road ahead which will include a mandatory shot at the European title contested between Giuseppe Lauri and Londoner Colin Lynes in Turin next week.

Witter said: "There is no way I am retiring after that. I will go for the European title and come back that way.

"I have no doubts I will get back to the top and reclaim my title."

Damning review

The split decision defeat was hard for Witter to take, but the decisive moment came in the sixth round when Bradley caught the Bradford-born boxer off guard and he was forced onto the canvas.

The victory extended Bradley's unbeaten record to 22 fights, and Witter's trainer Brendan Ingle gave a damning review in the aftermath of the fight by claiming his fighter produced his worst display to date.

"That was the worst I've seen from Junior tonight," he said. "He never got going and I would say he was only 50 per cent out there.

"But we won't give up and we'll come back the hard way. If that means fighting for the European title or even the British belt then that's what we'll do. You haven't seen the last of Junior.

"Remember he fought a very good unbeaten fighter, got back up after a heavy knockdown and only lost by a single point. But I cannot dispute the verdict, even though I think I a draw might have been more fair."

Two of the three ringside judges rewarded the American's greater work rate with 115-113, 114-113 decisions with the third adjudging it 115-112 to Witter.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 11 May 2008, 09:27

Lets see Witter earn the Lonsdale belt he got given.

leforge · Post by **leforge** » 11 May 2008, 09:35

Would Witter beat Lynes again? On last night performance no. Barnes could be harrd match for him as well.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 11 May 2008, 09:42

stujones wrote:Lets see Witter earn the Lonsdale belt he got given.

Why go back that low when he's won a world title?

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 11 May 2008, 09:51

Max Molyneux wrote:
stujones wrote:Lets see Witter earn the Lonsdale belt he got given.
Why go back that low when he's won a world title?

Even his coach says he might need to go back that far.

Personally, I don't think he does - but I'd like to see him finish his career actually earning the lonsdale belt that he got given outright... cause IMO that situation stank.

leforge · Post by **leforge** » 11 May 2008, 09:58

He could retire.

tonyevs · Post by **tonyevs** » 11 May 2008, 10:11

It`ll be a hard road back for Witter.
He couldn`t get guys to face him when he was a champ - it`ll be even harder now he brings nothing to the table .

The British and european may be open to him .. don`t see him ever getting another crack at the title.

DG. · Post by **DG.** » 11 May 2008, 10:14

stujones wrote:
Max Molyneux wrote:
stujones wrote:Lets see Witter earn the Lonsdale belt he got given.
Why go back that low when he's won a world title?
Even his coach says he might need to go back that far.

Personally, I don't think he does - but I'd like to see him finish his career actually earning the lonsdale belt that he got given outright... cause IMO that situation stank.

No one wanted to fight him, so he was given the belt to allow the other guys to fight over it.

The Hatton situation was much worse. He VACATED the title to dodge Witter and got the belt anyway.

As they say in the gangster films

'hey- whats right is right'!

Witter deserved his Lonsdale belt - Hatton did not.

Witter should go the European route and then see what happens, bt it is not an wasy route back for him unless HATTON now fights him because he thinks Witter is finished.

The Hawk · Post by **The Hawk** » 11 May 2008, 10:44

If he wants to get another title shot, how long can Witter at 34 afford to waste fighting at European level again to get his ranking up?

Remember how long winded it was to get him the title in the 1st place. I think Juniors only chance is for Mick to put big money on the table for a rematch as his make or break fight, if he gets beat again that would be it. Bradley said he'd fight him again if the money was right, and I can see him beating him better a 2nd time round now he's got the measure of him.

WildWaylon · Post by **WildWaylon** » 11 May 2008, 11:35

Just cant see a different result in a rematch. I also cant see Witter winning any world title again. Witter could even lose to Colin Lynes if they were matched again. Lynes is fighting very well these days and Witter on last nights showing isnt. Despite Witter saying pre fight he would still be fighting at 40, I think he will quit in a couple of years from now. I think getting the right fights will be hard for him.

jameswilson · Post by **jameswilson** » 11 May 2008, 11:44

I dont see why it will be that long a road back to a title shot.

Surely he will be rated top 4 by the WBC still, so he may only need one more win before he is mandatory again.

DG. · Post by **DG.** » 11 May 2008, 12:04

jameswilson wrote:I dont see why it will be that long a road back to a title shot.

Surely he will be rated top 4 by the WBC still, so he may only need one more win before he is mandatory again.

True, he should get the European in the absence of a straight rematch.

He is mandatory for the European so he has a major belt to go for.

Such a shame. the guy no doubt wanted the big paydays to look after his future.

leforge · Post by **leforge** » 11 May 2008, 12:08

I dont think he win a owrld tilte again. Hennessy should have got him more fights. He not fought since Sept.

DG. · Post by **DG.** » 11 May 2008, 12:16

search wrote:witter has to move up to 147 and give that a go

Is an option, real fighters areat 147.

BUT, if he fights the way he did last night, he gets ktfo.

black panther · Post by **black panther** » 11 May 2008, 12:21

DG. wrote:
search wrote:witter has to move up to 147 and give that a go

Is an option, real fighters areat 147.

BUT, if he fights the way he did last night, he gets ktfo.

Absolutely - no two ways about it. Just imagine if it was Cotto or Margarito in their!

I noticed after about four rounds Witter's mouth was wide open, gasping for air. I think the way Witter loads up so much on single shots uses a lot of energy - he's not a natural puncher. This is why he appears short on stamina. Sorry to see him go out like this though - I'd like to see him get a big payday before he retires.

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 11 May 2008, 12:23

140 shouldnt be that hard to get a title shot, its hardly deep with talent, he needs to be pushed as an eliminator for IBF/WBA/WBC

EddieShredder · Post by **EddieShredder** » 11 May 2008, 12:23

DG. wrote:
search wrote:witter has to move up to 147 and give that a go

Is an option, real fighters areat 147.

BUT, if he fights the way he did last night, he gets ktfo.

Mayeather
Cotto
Margarito
Quintana
Williams
Clottey
Mosley
Judah

All would beat Witter. I'd also give Collazo, Berto, and Cintron the edge.

The Hawk · Post by **The Hawk** » 11 May 2008, 12:24

DG. wrote:
search wrote:witter has to move up to 147 and give that a go

Is an option, real fighters areat 147.

BUT, if he fights the way he did last night, he gets ktfo.

Witter would get battered at Welterweight, picture Margarito, Cotto, Mayweather, Mosley in with him. The reality may be if Witter wants to keep boxing and stay active, he'll have to go British and European level again and "Hope" get can get another crack. I think we're seeing the end of Juniors career quicker than we think.

Horse · Post by **Horse** » 11 May 2008, 12:28

search wrote:witter has to move up to 147 and give that a go

No one will want to fight him there either and he will lose all of his rankings. I don't see the benefit of moving up a division.

DG. · Post by **DG.** » 11 May 2008, 12:30

Last night was either the end of Witter or another off night where he would normally win.

Witter has to make his mind up. He looked dreadful last night.

He may well end up having to fight for free if he wants to tempt Bradley back.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 11 May 2008, 12:41

DG. wrote:
stujones wrote:
Max Molyneux wrote: Why go back that low when he's won a world title?
Even his coach says he might need to go back that far.

Personally, I don't think he does - but I'd like to see him finish his career actually earning the lonsdale belt that he got given outright... cause IMO that situation stank.

No one wanted to fight him, so he was given the belt to allow the other guys to fight over it.

The Hatton situation was much worse. He VACATED the title to dodge Witter and got the belt anyway.

As they say in the gangster films

'hey- whats right is right'!

Witter deserved his Lonsdale belt - Hatton did not.

Witter should go the European route and then see what happens, bt it is not an wasy route back for him unless HATTON now fights him because he thinks Witter is finished.

Hatton paid for his belt.

NO-ONE... THE BBBoC made an eliminator... unfortunately the man who won the eliminator was then deemed UNWORTHY to fight Witter by the BBBoC - he was willing to fight Witter - so instead Witter was given the belt and also given the distinction of being "awarded" it outright.

Didn't Hatton just flat out buy the thing and never be down in the record books as a fighter who WON the belt outright? If I am wrong, then that too was a disgrace - but to say no-one would fight Witter at domestic level is wrong to and the fact the BBBoC made an eliminator and then declared it void - flat out stank.

Twinkle Toes · Post by **Twinkle Toes** » 11 May 2008, 12:49

If he was 24 then there would be a way back, but at 34 and puffing after half a dozen rounds - I can't see him getting back to a world title.

Erratic and generally overated, there isn't a lot out there for Witter at world level. If he wants to trudge around after Euro titles then I think he can compete at that level, but you'd make Lynes a decent favourite to be at witter now.

DG. · Post by **DG.** » 11 May 2008, 13:14

stujones wrote:
DG. wrote:
stujones wrote: Even his coach says he might need to go back that far.

Personally, I don't think he does - but I'd like to see him finish his career actually earning the lonsdale belt that he got given outright... cause IMO that situation stank.

No one wanted to fight him, so he was given the belt to allow the other guys to fight over it.

The Hatton situation was much worse. He VACATED the title to dodge Witter and got the belt anyway.

As they say in the gangster films

'hey- whats right is right'!

Witter deserved his Lonsdale belt - Hatton did not.

Witter should go the European route and then see what happens, bt it is not an wasy route back for him unless HATTON now fights him because he thinks Witter is finished.

Hatton paid for his belt.

NO-ONE... THE BBBoC made an eliminator... unfortunately the man who won the eliminator was then deemed UNWORTHY to fight Witter by the BBBoC - he was willing to fight Witter - so instead Witter was given the belt and also given the distinction of being "awarded" it outright.

Didn't Hatton just flat out buy the thing and never be down in the record books as a fighter who WON the belt outright? If I am wrong, then that too was a disgrace - but to say no-one would fight Witter at domestic level is wrong to and the fact the BBBoC made an eliminator and then declared it void - flat out stank.

Stu,

What s worse.

1) No one bein g good enough to fight Witter.

2) No one wanting to fight Witter.

3) Fwank Waren giving the elt to Hatton as a last ditch attempt to get Hatton to re-sigh with him.

FACT.

Warren gave the belt to Hatton.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/gene ... 12452.html

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 11 May 2008, 13:19

Twinkle Toes wrote:but you'd make Lynes a decent favourite to be at witter now.

Fancy a bet if it comes off?

DG. · Post by **DG.** » 11 May 2008, 13:21

Lynes will not beat Witter.

Lynes ran all night last time.