Witter vs Tackie

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 03 Nov 2004, 08:20

So completing 12 rounds under pressure would be of no benefit to Witter, who's been blowing away over-matched opponents for 4 years? I can't understand why Tackie is getting such a negative reaction.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 03 Nov 2004, 08:22

jamesmcdonnell wrote:
stujones wrote:When did Ben Tackie become a Austrailian?

I think BOTH proposed matches are good tests for Witter, Olusegun looked crude but is very strong and you've got to be a pretty decent fighter to outclass Pryce.
Pryce looked good on the way up, but hasn't looked good recently. not such a great win.

Pryce wasn't outclassed by Neil Sinclair (well, certainly Neil didn't do as convincing a job as Olusegun), he more recently competed very well against Thomas McDonough.

I'm not saying having a W against Pryce means it was a good win, but the manner of the victory has not been achieved in ANY of Pryce's defeats.

glittermonkey · Post by **glittermonkey** » 03 Nov 2004, 08:30

I think it's up for debate exactly how much pressure Tackie will be able to exert on Witter. He was largely ineffective during his last three fights, and given the extra inactivity, i don't think he'll be able to test Witter in the slightest.

I see what you're saying, and i agree. Witter does need a distance fight. But it needs to be fairly competitive to give him any real benefits, if he is to make that step up into real class. Yes, Tackie is a definite step up from what he's been facing recently, but i'm not sure it's the right step. It's not an awful fight by any means, but i do think that there is better out there for him.

Coconut · Post by **Coconut** » 03 Nov 2004, 08:30

Kilburn wrote:So completing 12 rounds under pressure would be of no benefit to Witter, who's been blowing away over-matched opponents for 4 years? I can't understand why Tackie is getting such a negative reaction.

In that respect it would be a glorified spar. Tackie is at this stage too easy an opponent to write off, whereas Witter may need rounds but he also needs a name that can't be so easily dismissed in order to make his case stronger. Someone like Corley would be ideal for him.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 03 Nov 2004, 08:43

We saw against Ricky Hatton how much the strength and stamina of Tackie can take out of an opponent. Sure Ricky won clearly but in the late rounds all he could muster was 1 or 2 punches before falling in and grabbing hold.

Witter would have to be on the move all night to stay out of trouble, which is something he hasn't had to contemplate for 4 years. That is a TEST no two ways about it.

Coconut · Post by **Coconut** » 03 Nov 2004, 10:35

Not arguing with that at all. It's definitely a test. But it's one that very easily rubbished by pro-Hatton / US-biased observers which is my main point. If he took it and did a number on Tackie I'd be chuffed, but I imagine I'd be in the minority through being reasonably objective and open to the idea that all boxers from the UK aren't rubbish.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 03 Nov 2004, 10:42

Just cannot see this fight coming off myself, I doubt at this advanced stage of his career that Tackie is overly bothered about the Commonwealth title...

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 03 Nov 2004, 10:57

What other title oppurtunities are out there for Tackie though? Losing a WBU fight doesn't exactly leave you in a strong position.

DIRT SUGAR · Post by **DIRT SUGAR** » 03 Nov 2004, 11:00

Well sloppy seconds are better than nothing and Witter needs to get a move on because he's not exactly Mr Active is he?

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 03 Nov 2004, 15:41

Kilburn wrote:What other title oppurtunities are out there for Tackie though? Losing a WBU fight doesn't exactly leave you in a strong position.

That is true, also Witter holds a good world ranking (better than Tackie), if I was Tackie I would jump at this opportunity, he's not likely going to get another.

Its nearly a year since he fought Hatton, and its been a very quiet 12 months - its not likely to get much louder. He is fairly dangerous but doesn't carry much recognition nowadays with the average fan.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 03 Nov 2004, 16:16

Just checked Witter's record and he is down to fight Krzysztof Bienias(http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=017749) who hasn't done much but loose to Urkal over 12 rounds and fight for the "IBF youth title" on the 12 so that is that idea up the spout. However if we are to assume that he will be in a postition to make a defence of his commonwealf title after this europian defence I see no reson to discredit the Takki fight. Takki may last the distance and if he dose then he will be in a good position to start chaising big fights.

In terms of international respect it is interesting to noat that witter is ranked 3rd by the WBC while hatton is 7th http://www.wbcboxing.com/WBCboxing/Port ... sortby=ASC

Although isn't the some kind of a rule which states that the europian champion gets an automatic top 10 place

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 03 Nov 2004, 16:32

Coconut wrote:Someone like Corley would be ideal for him.

I can't see Corley coming over for no title and minimal money all for the purpose of giving Witter rounds...wouldn't be a bad fight though if there was something more on the line.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 03 Nov 2004, 16:39

steve689 wrote:
Coconut wrote:Someone like Corley would be ideal for him.
I can't see Corley coming over for no title and minimal money all for the purpose of giving Witter rounds...wouldn't be a bad fight though if there was something more on the line.

To be fair I feel that Witter should go to america to prove that he is a better fighter than the one who came in at last minuett against Judah. Essentually public oppinion in the US matters so if he went out their and fought someone of Courly's ilk on an undercard in the manner which we know he can then we would see him in a better position to look to the futur. Courly is busy trying to rebuild his career after two losses he fights Darryl Tyson in december but then I see no reson why he wouldn't like to fight the Europian champion to prove his credibility.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 03 Nov 2004, 16:54

In that situation then yes i totally agree, i just don't think Corley would be willing to come over here for a fight unless it was a big one. If Witter fought Corley on an undercard for a big fight then that could be a massive step in the right direction for Witter, especially if he manages to put on a good show and right the wrongs from Hampden four years ago.

mrbassie · Post by **mrbassie** » 03 Nov 2004, 18:52

I can't see Witter getting on a bill in America, not a televised one anyway. They don't want to know about him there and he has no promotional clout whatsoever. I feel sorry for the guy really, we can slate Hatton for not stepping up but Really the doors Witter needs to step through are locked. I personally think he'd embarrass Tackie and he could knock him out. Witter has a good chin too, I watched that Haek fight the other night were he was wobbled but far too big a deal was made of it, he took a punch and went back
but I don't think he was hurt at all, even though he was hit right on the chin with a surprise punch. His legs were fine. He took a few decent whacks from Judah too.
Anyhow, I don't think it'll happen. Risk but not much reward.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 03 Nov 2004, 21:14

mrbassie wrote:I can't see Witter getting on a bill in America, not a televised one anyway. They don't want to know about him there and he has no promotional clout whatsoever. I feel sorry for the guy really, we can slate Hatton for not stepping up but Really the doors Witter needs to step through are locked. I personally think he'd embarrass Tackie and he could knock him out. Witter has a good chin too, I watched that Haek fight the other night were he was wobbled but far too big a deal was made of it, he took a punch and went back
but I don't think he was hurt at all, even though he was hit right on the chin with a surprise punch. His legs were fine. He took a few decent whacks from Judah too.
Anyhow, I don't think it'll happen. Risk but not much reward.

Surly a WBC number 3 ranking must lend him some clout. esspecialy for a fighter trying to prove that he can still cut it like courly or is that just wishfull thinking.

mrbassie · Post by **mrbassie** » 04 Nov 2004, 04:39

That's a point, but I still dunno, Warren made it pretty clear Showtime wanted nothing whatsoever tod o with Witter, if he wasn't exaggerating, then I can only assume HBO would adopt a similar attitude. I'm not saying it's an impossibility, only that there aren't a lot of avenues open to Witter.

mrbassie · Post by **mrbassie** » 04 Nov 2004, 04:40

Boxingtalk.net

Junior Witter wants Mayweather
British, Commonwealth and European light welterweight champion Junior Witter has issued a no nonsense challenge to Floyd Mayweather Junior, arguably the world’s best pound for pound fighter.

“Come on Pretty Boy, lets get it on,” said Witter, who defends his European Title against Poland’s Krzysztof Bienias on the November 12th Hennessy Sports ‘Born To Do It’ promotion at the Wembley Conference Centre.

“You have a HBO date in January but no opponent yet, so here I am. Come get me. If you want to be in a real, made for TV fight, that will please the fans I am your only option.

“You may be WBC #1 but you won’t be fighting champion Arturo Gatti anytime soon as he is defending against Leija.

“There is no fear of WBC # 2 stepping up to meet you either; Branco is scared of his own shadow.

“He has already turned down a fight against me. Not that I blame him; I wouldn’t fancy being on the end of one of my shots either.

“So who is next in line, who is the WBC # 3? Oh yes, that’s me - the best light welterweight in Europe.

“I am about to prove I am the best in the world. If you want to play with the big boys at 140lb, lets go.”

Witter has already fought at the highest level, when he took Zab Judah the distance as a novice with the IBF title on the line. He received undue criticism for that affair.

“The people who talked me down after that fight need to acquaint themselves with the facts,” Witter added.

“I took that contest on seven days notice after every other leading contender turned the opportunity down.

“I was a baby and nowhere near full fitness, but I still made the golden boy of the time look terrible.

“Despite my own concerns over my stamina, I took Judah the distance and only lost down the Championship stretch.

“For me it was nothing but a positive experience. It filled me with confidence, told me that with more notice I could have become world champion, even at that early stage.

“Just look at what I have done since: knocked out everyone of my fourteen opponents before the fifth round. Only three of them made it past the third.

“I haven’t been beating bums either. In the process I have won the British, Commonwealth and European titles.

Witter added: “I am a different fighter now, far more aggressive; I go in throwing knockout shots from every angle.

“I would do exactly the same against Mayweather. It would be a real war, but I would undoubtedly be the last man standing.

“Take note, I will call it right here and now: Witter beats Mayweather, by way of the big KO.

“Don’t confuse me with Ricky Hatton, another so called British light welterweight talent. He has avoided me for two years because he knows I would knock him out.

“I am a genuine contender, prepared to fight anybody, on the way up.

“I am not damaged goods like so many others you could choose to fight instead.

“But you are a proven champion, I don’t expect you to take the easy route, even if you may be worried I might spoil your looks or your friend Zab has warned you about me.

“If you do take the easy route, the person you will be letting down the most is yourself.”

Now that's one I really don't see happening

glittermonkey · Post by **glittermonkey** » 04 Nov 2004, 07:01

No, it's never going to happen. Fair play though, at least the bloke's trying. One thing i'm sure of, it would have had the potential to be a great fight for the connoisseur...................................or a complete snoozefest.