Witter - Urkal?

mrbassie · Post by **mrbassie** » 08 Jun 2004, 10:28

European light welterweight champion Junior Witter would fight Ricky Hatton any time, any place and anywhere, his promoter Mick Hennesy says.

Witter won the European crown with an impressive second-round stoppage of Salvatore Battaglia last Wednesday.

And Hennessy said Witter is prepared to be "very accommodating" in negotiating a match with Manchester's WBU champion.

"Junior's reasonable around the money so the ball's in allegedly and Hatton's court," said Hennessy.

And Hennessy, whose shows are broadcast by the BBC, said a Witter v Hatton match was still a possibility despite Hatton's contacts with Sky.

"The fact they fight on different TV channels shouldn't be a problem because British boxing will suffer.

Broadcasters would rather see a fantastic match than for it not to happen

Promoter Mick Hennessy

"The BBC and Sky would put in purse bids and if one's prepared to put up more than the other then that's where the fight should be.

"Broadcasters would rather see a fantastic match than for it not to happen. Warren would want to promote it in Manchester because Hatton's a big draw and he'd put in a serious bid."

The European title gives Bradford's Witter some bargaining power on the world scene and he has moved up to number nine in the respected Ring Magazine ratings.

In contrast, Hatton recently told of his frustration at not being given the big fights he has been promised by Warren.

The "Hitman" was expected to fight a top-10 opponent in Manchester this Saturday but will instead fight Argentine Carlos Wilfredo Vilches.

Is Hatton getting frustrated?

But Warren's reluctance to play ball may stem from Witter's decision to sign with rival promoters Hennessey Sports last December.

Meanwhile, the next fight for 30-year-old Witter should be a defence of his European belt against German-based Turk Oktay Urkal.

In April, Urkal controversially lost a WBA interim title challenge to Vivian Harris and he also lost on points to undisputed champion Kostya Tszyu in 2001.

"That's an incredible fight for the European title and just goes to show how big some of these European titles are," said Hennessy.

"The light welterweight division is very exciting and the beauty of Junior is he's prepared and wants to fight them now - he'd fight (Puerto Rico's) Miguel Cotto tomorrow.

"From now on in there will be only big fights for him."

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 08 Jun 2004, 10:35

Good match. He can beat Urkal, not easily, but he can beat him. That would raise his stock in the States.

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 08 Jun 2004, 10:38

Urkal is on the slide a bit as well so the timing could be right. Wouldnt fancy Witter against the Urkal who lost a close decision to King Kosta

glittermonkey · Post by **glittermonkey** » 08 Jun 2004, 10:42

Good fight for Witter, if it happens. Urkal is coming to the end (although he's not quite there yet), he's definitely not the same fighter that fought Tszyu. I'll pick Witter, but i think it's a real test. It will certainly be tougher than his last few outings. If he can win it's going to get him some big fights.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 08 Jun 2004, 11:39

Yep, excellent move. Who knows, Witter may even blast him out of there, in which case he's really going to turn some heads. Cannot see that happening, but a fighter who has confidence is capable of remarkable things, and Witter looked very confident last time out.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 08 Jun 2004, 11:50

knockout wrote:Urkal is on the slide a bit as well so the timing could be right. Wouldnt fancy Witter against the Urkal who lost a close decision to King Kosta

I watched the Battaglia fight again the other night mate and thought Witter looked much better than I originally said. Sure he doesn't protect that chin too well but those KO shots come from nowhere. About 3 times I had to rewind the tape to watch that uppercut in the first round, what a nasty, nasty punch that was. The fight was as good as over from that moment.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 08 Jun 2004, 14:03

Excellent match, I like Urkal he's a good fighter who for me should be WBA champion. I'm actually quite surprised he is not getting a rematch with Harries (at 34, time is not on his side). I'm sure Harries' people will be more than happy to grant him a rematch in Germany (from what I have heard).

If Witter wins, then he is truly in the top ten and will be definately ranked higher than Hatton.

Its a tough fight to call though.

Twinkle Toes · Post by **Twinkle Toes** » 08 Jun 2004, 14:09

Very good opponent for Witter, and peeps will have to stand up and take notice of him if he comes through this one.

Lets see the fight made first though

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 08 Jun 2004, 15:10

This is a great fight for Witter and the sort he needs to truly lepafrog Hatton and put him in the past (well sort of in the past).

theguru · Post by **theguru** » 09 Jun 2004, 06:20

I think people have already made their minds up that WITTER has already leap frogged Hatton!
Witter has Britain,the Commonwealth and Europe ,so that only leaves the USA.Hatton has erm.....Manchester covered.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 09 Jun 2004, 06:23

Hatton has still beaten the better level of competition. I would put Magee a notch above Battaglia, and Phillips and Tackie are better than anyone else Witter has beaten.

buzz · Post by **buzz** » 09 Jun 2004, 06:47

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Hatton has still beaten the better level of competition. I would put Magee a notch above Battaglia, and Phillips and Tackie are better than anyone else Witter has beaten.

Witter doesnt just beat them he destroys them.

Could you really see Ben Tackie lasting 12 rounds with Witter? No chance.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 09 Jun 2004, 06:51

Oh fornicate off mate, what the fornicate are you talking about?

Fragile Tackie, what the fragile tackie who has never been stopped in his entire career, the fragile tackie who went 12 rounds with Mitchell, Tszyu, Hatton, and numerous other hard hitters in the light welterweight division. nobody has ever come close to stopping him.

Sure, Witter destroys them, sure he destroys Fred Kinuthia and Lucky Sambo, he must be the light welterweight mike Tyson then.

The fact is, Witter has beaten three decent opponents in his career, Jan Bergman (early fight, 8 rounder), Giusseppe Lauri, and now Battaglia, not one of these is more impressive than beating Tackie, in fact I would put all of them aside from Bergman (who was actually a welterweight), below Magee when Hatton faced him.

All the rest of his opponents have been stiffs of the highest order. Just because Witter beat Battaglia, doesn't mean he's going to destroy Tackie.

If you're going to blurt something as stupid as calling Tackie fragile, it might be advisable to actually know something about his record.

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 09 Jun 2004, 06:56

Tackie has only been dropped once in his career i think and he has fought some good guys...

Its all about styles anyway, cause Tackie hits so hard himself fighters generally prefer to box him rather than try knock him out....

Witter would be foolish to try and KO Tackie if the fight ever happened (highly unlikely)

J · Post by J » 09 Jun 2004, 06:57

cheers James you saved me ranting.

I dont mind witter having plaudits but lets stay realistic, he has only fought one person near the standard of a tackie, phillips and that was agianst Judah and we all know what happenend there.

Dont get too carried away cos he blasted a euro top ten fighter out.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 09 Jun 2004, 07:04

Tszyu never even attempted to engage Tackie in a way, he boxed him off at range with straight shots all night.

Of all the performances I have seen against Tackie, Hatton's was by far the most aggressive. Mitchell was a lot more cautious, but did manage to drop him.

Witter would be nuts to stand and trade with Tackie, although by now I think Tackie is all but retired, I've not heard anything about him since he lost to Hatton.

buzz · Post by **buzz** » 09 Jun 2004, 07:13

Coconut · Post by **Coconut** » 09 Jun 2004, 07:19

I honestly thought the fragile comment was a joke.

Battaglia was avery good win if his result against Urkal is taken on paper, but looking at Battaglia, he's pretty limited and susceptible to anyone with boxing skills. Hatton would have done a number on him as well, in dissimilar style though.

Not doing Witter down, I think he's quality, but the standard of his oppo isn't up there with Philips and Magee, although Hatton has only a handful of decent names on his CV anyways.

J · Post by J » 09 Jun 2004, 07:22

sorry but you are comparing two fighters with different styles, Hatton would have taken longer to beat Battaglia also, so whats your point?
Hatotn is pressure fighter who wears people down wheras witter has developed into a ko artist, doesnt mean one is better than the other cos they get the job done in different ways.

To state that witter has taken on better challengers in the shape of lauri, battaglia etc compared to magee, phillips and tackie is showing some bias I would suggest.

As you can see form most the posts on here people generally concede that hatton has been fighting the superior level of opponent no matter how you dress it up.

but as you said in another thread you are entitled to your opinion even if it is based mainly on your own personal opinion.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 09 Jun 2004, 07:27

Mate I don't care whether you saw the fight from behind the scenes, from the inside of Witter's protector, or the surface of the moon, it doesn't give any more credence to your observations, in fact I couldn't give a toss if yor're Brendan Ingle's missus.

The fact is, Witter has looked devastating against only limited European opposition, just because Battaglia went the distance with Urkal doesn't make him world class, he was a decent standard European, and Witter blasted him, which is great, but until he beats someone of the likes of Harris, Urkal he won't have yet proven. Yes the win over Bergman was impressive, but it was a bloody 8 rounder.

So what If I look at boxing from the outside, I have a pair of eyes and that's all I need to assess a fighter and a performance, you think because you've got some sort of inside track that my perception is any less valid, well, you're wrong, in fact if anything, you're more likely to be blinkered if you're involved.

I've spent a lot of time forming my opinions about Hatton and Witter, neither of them have proven they are world class yet, but Hatton has proven more, until such time as Witter proves he belongs, all the rest if hot air and guff.

DOG · Post by **DOG** » 09 Jun 2004, 07:33

Pretty much spot on James
I am a big fan of Witter, and was pleased he annexed the EBU title.
It will prove to be a good route to travel if he is serious about challenging for bonafide world titles.

We will get a better idea, as to which level Witter belongs in, if this fight takes place

I will start the cheerleading if and when he puts on an impressive performance versus Urkal. If indeed this fight is made.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 09 Jun 2004, 07:37

Yes, believe me, I will be the first to champion Witter if he steps up the levels and proves to be world class.

In fact, Buzz, if you read my piece on maxboxing, have a look at the title....."Witter makes me a believer"

However, my belief is tempered with the knowledge that until you fight someone world class, (which Tackie and Phillips were, at least at one time) you cannot call yourself world class.

buzz · Post by **buzz** » 09 Jun 2004, 23:00

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 10 Jun 2004, 04:39

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Oh fornicate off mate, what the fornicate are you talking about?

Keep your nickers on, do you not like Witter then?

J · Post by J » 10 Jun 2004, 04:48

WOAH UP HERE, the stupid comments like Tackie is fragile got a vehement and strong response, cos it isnt true, its very easy to sit here and snipe at other peoples work and articles when you aint submitted any of your own. Perhaps in response you should post a link to one your articles and we can all sit here and pick it pieces. No didnt think so.

This is a message board which does contain an element of humour, I also find you "inside information" jibe somewhat "giving it the barry" Buzz, so dont be surprised if its treat with disdain and certainly any derogatory comments are reciprocated.

As Ive posted before you are so pro witter I feel there is little room for negotiation, as I will admit I am too pro hatton, all it takes is a little recognistion of your own favouratism and you will get much more slack.

Finally lets all be friends, its a right laugh on here and I enjoy it, dont take it too serious as a lot of the comments are tongue in cheek while informative....ok.....