Witter v Devon Alexander, WBC Interim

[jamesmcdonnell]

Yes, he has. Had to give it up last April - they weren't taking enough to make a living out of it. Shame, but no great surprise as Charlie had been struggling for a while, and he also didn't really enjoy running it any more.

I was contacted by someone on facebook who is working alonside Charlie, they didn't say doing what exactly, but I know charlie did some demolition work previously before he took on the pub, so maybe he went back to that.

Unfortunately Charlie's mobile number doesn't work any more - so not in contact with him now, I did ask the guy to pass my number on to Charlie, but not heard anything.

[King Tubby]

That's a shame. Seems like it's hard to get any money out of pubs these days.

[El Raincoat]

If Alexander is as good as he's hyped upto be he should beat Witter. However it looks an excellant fight. If they put it on the same bill as Froch first defense it should be a fantastic line up.

[Hurrah4Funk]

If Alexander is as good as he's hyped upto be he should beat Witter. However it looks an excellant fight. If they put it on the same bill as Froch first defense it should be a fantastic line up.

Has Froch's next opponent been named yet??? Is it Taylor or does "Bad Intentions" think its too risky???

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

Alexander looks pretty good from what I've seen, speedy shoulder roll type style, straight sharp shooter with nice footwork. Another hungry American prospect for Witter it is then

[jameswilson]

If Alexander is as good as he's hyped upto be he should beat Witter. However it looks an excellant fight. If they put it on the same bill as Froch first defense it should be a fantastic line up.

Has Froch's next opponent been named yet??? Is it Taylor or does "Bad Intentions" think its too risky???

No news yet but Winky Wright is down on boxrec to fight Paul Williams (2 weight divisions further down) so I aint sure who else Jermain Taylor has as an option unless Kessler comes along with terms. Also I fully expect a fight between Froch and Taylor to take place in the USA so the option of Witter being on the undercard may be off unless Taylor's promoters want it.

I haven't seen anything of Alexander but if his boxing skills are decent and he has a high guard and can take Junior's punches then he will likely give Junior problems. He's quite inexperienced tho so we will see and outboxing Corley isn't necessarily something to be raving about considering he was on a losing run when they met.

[DG.]

Witter is done at world level in my opinion - He's kept himself in good shape over the years, so could continue having a successfull career at a lower level, but he never did set the world alight, and I don't see him starting now.

He did look good in has last outing, but I have long suspected Junior has problems mentally - I still can't get over how piss poor he was in the Bradley fight.

You do know that his dad was diagnosed with having cancer leading up to the fight. Rightly or wrongly it was a factor in his performance. I say rightly or wrongly because some would say as a professional athlete he should have blocked it out. I don't agree with that way of thinking myself but some would!

[Spud]

Got to take my hat off to John Ingle.
That's good matchmaking.
Junior owes him a bonus.
This is a route back, and more importantly a winnable route back, when it appeared all doors were closed.
Junior's back is right against the wall - but I hope that will bring the best out of him.
You've got to say there's nowhere else to go if he loses this one.
He really needs to put a show on for TV as well.

I would suspect it has FAR more to do with Hennessy than anybody else twenty six.....

Hennessy listens to John Ingle big time - Ingle for me is one dam good matchmaker!!!

[El Raincoat]

If Alexander is as good as he's hyped upto be he should beat Witter. However it looks an excellant fight. If they put it on the same bill as Froch first defense it should be a fantastic line up.

Has Froch's next opponent been named yet??? Is it Taylor or does "Bad Intentions" think its too risky???

Not that ive heard. I believe that HBO won't accept Froch for Taylor and they are exploring other avenue's. I think it will be someone like Vitali Tsypko in April.

I think Froch may have to travel for Taylor, if it were to happen. Shame because a possible Froch-Taylor & Witter-Alexander card would be outstanding.

[eddie booker]

Being over here in America, I've seen Alexander fight a couple of times. He's not to be considered more then a prospect at the World class level at this point in his career. I wouldn't even class him as a bonafide contender right now. Don't get me wrong, the kid has some skills, but he is not ready for a World title shot yet. Alexander has quick hands, throws good combinations, and has an above average defense. His major drawbacks as a fighter are a lack of power, and he tends to fight at one speed all fight. He doesn't vary his attack, he's a bit one-dimensional, and he just comes straight ahead all fight without giving any angles. If Witter has anything left in the tank he should be able to decision Alexander. Witter is too slick and too experienced for Alexander at this point. If Witter isn't completely shot he should win. This fight is too soon for Devon Alexander.

[Maelstrom]

Maelstrom,
John Ingle is Hennessey's matchmaker

Oh my god. You dont say.

You and Spud are COMPLETELY missing the point on this.

This fight has NOTHING do with matchmaking.

Alexander and Witter are #1 and #2 in the rankings.

Nobody else could be put forward for this fight - so opponent selection (i.e. matchmaking) is totally irrelevant.

It is Hennessy who, given developments elsewhere, has pushed for the fight to happen NOW and for it to be made as an interim title fight.

Whatever you think of Hennessy, his persistent lobbying of the WBC cannot be overlooked. Eastman, Witter and now Froch. And don't forget, there are people pulling tricks off behind the scenes everywhere.

I know you two like to let us know you have the inside track, but you are way off mark on this one.

[twenty six]

WTF - Inside track ?
I'm just a fight fan mate.
I stand by what I said.
Ingle deserves credit.
Why don't you post more often then Maelstrom and avail us on a regular basis of your knowledge and insight on the sport, instead of slagging fans who utilise a forum such as this to gain knowledge, and provide informaton when known ?
Also why have you immediately jumped to the defence of Henessey ?
Where in this thread has he been criticised ?
That said, if he's the dogs bollocks of negotiation, why does he need a matchmaker ?
All Promotors need them and in the main, they don't get the credit they deserve.

[Maelstrom]

Ohhh dear... somebody doesn't like being proved wrong.

It's not a case of 'defending' Hennessy. It is a case of highlighting that credit should have been apportioned to him in this instance.

If you are suggesting I am in someway an advocate of his, I suggest you check my other posts!

Of course Ingle has a significant role. He is an unsung hero of the sport.

But as to your question as to why Hennessy needs a matchmaker, I suggest you check BBBofC regulations.

[twenty six]

Are you serious ?
I'm delighted to be proven wrong - if indeed there was a need to do so.
I haven't stated anything as a fact, merely provided my observation.
What I've said is John Ingle deserves credit.
If he was totally excluded from arranging this fight - being both the Promotor's matchmaker and part of of the fighter's backroom team then I am surprised.
It's a moot point anyway.
If however this is about your perception that NO credit attached to Hennessey and I've given ALL the credit to Ingle then I'm happy to say that is not the case.

[Maelstrom]

OK twenty-six, I will make this simple.

They are #1 and #2 rankings. As such, no other fight could have been sanctioned as being for the interim title.

Do you agree with that?

[gobbles]

I think they will probably pop it on as either an ITV4 main event of a Froch, Cheif Support fight. Witter though needs to pull some big amazing eprformances out of the bag. The guy is his own worst nightmare. He was t h i s close to finally getting Hatton before he pi$$ed it all away in the Bradley fight......

Alexander is a Don King prospect, this will definitely go to the US and maybe ITV will show it late night as it will have a cheap feed.

[jamesmcdonnell]

'Cheap feed' what, off of Don King! You're more likely to get manure out of a rocking horse.

[DavidPayne]

I think as a rule King's shows are cheaper than GBP or Arum. I could be mistaken.

[jamesmcdonnell]

One of the reasons historically that we never got to see Don King bills on TV was he always asked for too much money, even when the shows were poor. I think it was a Sky TV person who said that previously.

[gobbles]

One of the reasons historically that we never got to see Don King bills on TV was he always asked for too much money, even when the shows were poor. I think it was a Sky TV person who said that previously.

King tends to sell it last minute, such as with the Haye-Moreck fight the TV was only decided the day before the fight. But any feed works out much cheaper than the hefty production costs of a live show.

[Autobarn]

If Alexander is as good as he's hyped upto be he should beat Witter. However it looks an excellant fight. If they put it on the same bill as Froch first defense it should be a fantastic line up.

Has Froch's next opponent been named yet??? Is it Taylor or does "Bad Intentions" think its too risky???

Not that ive heard. I believe that HBO won't accept Froch for Taylor and they are exploring other avenue's. I think it will be someone like Vitali Tsypko in April.

I think Froch may have to travel for Taylor, if it were to happen. Shame because a possible Froch-Taylor & Witter-Alexander card would be outstanding.

Is Tsypko fighting Andrade in an IBF elim?

HBO are doing the super middleweight division no favours. Only fight they will approve is Taylor-Kessler it seems, but I don't believe it's in the immediate plans of either man. There is always Showtime. Showtime wanted Froch-Inkin I recall. ShoBox are also buiding 2 of the bigger US prospects, Ward and Dirrell, grooming them for titles. Maybe it's time to look elsewhere than HBO. Hauser has made a good case that HBO are fvcking boxing up from the top down. If Froch doesn't have a big name as his first defence, I'm sure ITV will want it in the UK, prime time. So if one of the German contenders is challenging, hopefully a deal can be made to get the fight in Nottingham.

[jamesmcdonnell]

One of the reasons historically that we never got to see Don King bills on TV was he always asked for too much money, even when the shows were poor. I think it was a Sky TV person who said that previously.

King tends to sell it last minute, such as with the Haye-Moreck fight the TV was only decided the day before the fight. But any feed works out much cheaper than the hefty production costs of a live show.

Yes that's true, but then you have to endure having Peter from Family Guy providing the colour commentary - sorry, I mean Bob sheridan.

[hitman_hatton1]

witter is the most frustrating guy out there for me. One fight he's explosive and looks like a killer. Then another he's a statue, fighting like Audley. If he was on against Bradley he could have knocked him out. If he doesn't perform this time he should just f**k off IMO.

he's always been disjointed.

good technical fighters just take advantage of his chin in the air style.

alexander should win if he's going anywhere. :>

[jamesmcdonnell]

I entirely agree, whilst he has the benefit of being unpredictable due to his herky jerky style, the tradeoff is that he is vulnerable to fighters who can time his lunges and who have a proficient defence.

[dbflex]

Maelstrom is right. If Ingle had a role, it would have been in helping Hennessy to lobby the WBC for the Interim title bout to take place. They've wanted a final eliminator with Alexander or a Bradley rematch since Witter lost the belt. Ingle's good at his job but would not have 'made' this match in the usual sense.