What does Witter do after Branco ???

Foggy · Post by **Foggy** » 20 Jan 2005, 05:42

Good fight for Witter may take him in the later rounds (i'd like to see Witter go the full 12), but i fully expect Witter to breeze this one, then what happens after this, what fight should he take after this one, does he wait for a shot at the winner of Mayweather Vs Gatti (if this fight happens as expected this year) or does he look to keep busy and fight other top contenders, any suggestions what route he should go down ???

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 Jan 2005, 05:47

He's got some problems. The one guy he could possibly get a shot at, Vivian Harris, Witter isn't ranked in the top 15 for his belt. He needs a name fighter badly, but they are all fighting one another. Maybe someone like Chop-Chop would be a good move.

The problem is, that everyone is going to avoid him like the plague, he's got no Marquee value and his recent fights might impress British fans but nobody outside of Europe is seeing his fights.

He needs to be appearing on a big fight card where he can turn in an impressive performance and make a name for himself. Nobody in America is even going to see his fight with Branco.

I really would like to see Witter get the chance to prove himself, he's not getting any younger and it will have to be soon or his career will just peeter our.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 20 Jan 2005, 09:16

be patient.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 Jan 2005, 09:24

Worked for Howard Eastman.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 20 Jan 2005, 09:42

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Worked for Howard Eastman.

He's lucky it did, surely you can't wait out your whole career for just one or two legit title shots, especially in this day and age.

Not sure how much he's getting paid but I wonder how much dosh Howard will be left with when/if Hopkins sends him into retirement. Too many years earning 15 grand a fight and fighting twice a year can't leave much in the kitty.

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 20 Jan 2005, 10:10

Witter should stay with Hennessy and keep defending the EBU title or take an eliminator for one of the big 3 titles if it comes along. If he keeps winning, something has to happen, it's just a question of when.

He could go with one of the other promoters, but for reasons mentioned in other posts, he only get used and abused by them. They will (and have) found it difficult to secure big, meaningful fights Witter.

It appears to have worked for Eastman, and Hennessy must take his share of the credit. Mick's clearly a more reasonable negotiator than some of our other guys (mention no names).

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 20 Jan 2005, 10:39

If he can't get on an american bill (and it is a dam shame they couldn't have worked something out on Howard's undercard) and he can't get an American opponent then he might want to look at the top 5 ranked for the Europian shots.

1 Richard HATTON (GB) (not likely to fight witter as he is defisicent in the bollox department)

2 Oktay URKAL (D/A) (a good and respected fighter who may be retecent to fight after the losses to Harris but certainly a good step if he is willing)

3 Souleymane MBAYE (F) (not seen him but seems to have mixed in good enough company to mix it with Witter, his only loss was a UD which means he must have a resonable chin aswell)

4 Andreas KOTELNIK (UA/D) (just lost to Mbaye on a SD hasn't done much outside germany)

5 Francis BARRETT (GB) (not a great fight)

The real possibillitys lie with the middle three fights which I would say are all credable contests which would keep him active and against that level very sharp then hopefuly he should get a break against one of the big boys. Urkal would be ideal if he is going to come back but maybe after he has had a fight or two to restor credability. Im with butch on sticking with Hennassy and the EBU though.

Freiheit · Post by **Freiheit** » 20 Jan 2005, 10:51

Two other european based fights not on that list is Abdulaev and Grigorian, that could also be a possibility.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 20 Jan 2005, 11:06

Freiheit wrote:Two other european based fights not on that list is Abdulaev and Grigorian, that could also be a possibility.

I was going off the EBU top 5 as a basis and those two arn't ranked at light welter although Iv not checked weather Grigorian is ranked at lghtweight where he held the WBO certainly a good fight although Witter punches heard fot a light welter and Grigorian was down 4 times against Freitas so Im not sure I see that fight lasting

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 Jan 2005, 11:38

One of the problems is that the fighters on the European scene are solid but unspectacular, whilst those on the USA scene are not interested in fighting someone like Witter who is dangerous and has no marquee value.

The European fighters offer too little in the way of a test, and the good top level fighters don't want to fight him.

Someone like Pinto would have been an ideal statement, defending the EBU belt is all well and good, but apart from Urkal, who is on the way down now anyhow, who else is there to provide a decent contest. Witter's gone like a spoon through soft shite in all his fights since Judah.

Freiheit · Post by **Freiheit** » 20 Jan 2005, 11:56

josh fg wrote:
Freiheit wrote:Two other european based fights not on that list is Abdulaev and Grigorian, that could also be a possibility.
I was going off the EBU top 5 as a basis and those two arn't ranked at light welter although Iv not checked weather Grigorian is ranked at lghtweight where he held the WBO certainly a good fight although Witter punches heard fot a light welter and Grigorian was down 4 times against Freitas so Im not sure I see that fight lasting

Abdulaev and Grigorian are not european, both from Uzbekistan, so they are not eligable to fight for the EBU title.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 20 Jan 2005, 12:00

Freiheit wrote:
josh fg wrote:
Freiheit wrote:Two other european based fights not on that list is Abdulaev and Grigorian, that could also be a possibility.
I was going off the EBU top 5 as a basis and those two arn't ranked at light welter although Iv not checked weather Grigorian is ranked at lghtweight where he held the WBO certainly a good fight although Witter punches heard fot a light welter and Grigorian was down 4 times against Freitas so Im not sure I see that fight lasting
Abdulaev and Grigorian are not european, both from Uzbekistan, so they are not eligable to fight for the EBU title.

I didn't realise that, although I haven't got a clue where Uzbekistan is. Yet to be convinced on Abdulaev but Grigorian has at least held what is almost a real title and been in with some names but the lightweight chin will probably be a problem.

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 20 Jan 2005, 12:04

lennox lewis fought for the european title and he was from canada!!!!!!!

only joking, dont want to tick of J :P

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 Jan 2005, 12:06

I thought they were both based in Europe? Do you actually have to be born in Europe to compete for the EBU belt then?

Ezbekistan is in between near Afghanistan and Pakistan if I remember rightly.

uncle dekka · Post by **uncle dekka** » 20 Jan 2005, 12:08

If Witter beats Branco, won't he become WBC no.1 contender? If that's the case, how long, realistically, before he'd get a shot at the champion?

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 20 Jan 2005, 12:09

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I thought they were both based in Europe? Do you actually have to be born in Europe to compete for the EBU belt then?

Ezbekistan is in between near Afghanistan and Pakistan if I remember rightly.

I assume its the same as not letting Roman Greenburg or Takaloo compeet for the british title because he is from Israel.

You would think as a politics student I would know that part of the world better

Freiheit · Post by **Freiheit** » 20 Jan 2005, 12:21

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I thought they were both based in Europe? Do you actually have to be born in Europe to compete for the EBU belt then?

Ezbekistan is in between near Afghanistan and Pakistan if I remember rightly.

Before you can fight for the EBU title you have to have an european citizinship and a licens from a EBU country.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 Jan 2005, 12:23

and neither of those two do?

Freiheit · Post by **Freiheit** » 20 Jan 2005, 12:26

jamesmcdonnell wrote:and neither of those two do?

Abdualev still lives in Las Vegas so I doubt that he he as. I thourght that Grigorian would have one after living all these years in Germany, but doesnt seem like it. It could be that Germany has strict Citizinship rules. In Denmark you have to have lived here for 8 to the eligable to apply for a danish citizinship, naybe its the same thing in Germany

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 20 Jan 2005, 12:26

Freiheit wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:I thought they were both based in Europe? Do you actually have to be born in Europe to compete for the EBU belt then?

Ezbekistan is in between near Afghanistan and Pakistan if I remember rightly.
Before you can fight for the EBU title you have to have an european citizinship and a licens from a EBU country.

I once pulled a girl from Tajikistan :)

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 20 Jan 2005, 13:35

Is that the start of a limerick?

As in?

i once pulled a girl from Jajekistan
Her face was as flat as a flan
But her tits were quite ripe
So I just don't gripe
as I boff her as hard as I can.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 20 Jan 2005, 13:36

i've got a mate called Stan, but i've never pulled him.

not that i would wan't to either

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 20 Jan 2005, 13:36

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Is that the start of a limerick?

As in?

i once pulled a girl from Jajekistan
Her face was as flat as a flan
But her tits were quite ripe
So I just don't gripe
as I boff her as hard as I can.

its funny because its true ;)

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 20 Jan 2005, 14:18

Oktay Urkal has retired, I think now Kelson Pinto has been exposed that would be a decent fight to take.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 20 Jan 2005, 14:31

stujones wrote:Oktay Urkal has retired, I think now Kelson Pinto has been exposed that would be a decent fight to take.

Retired I thought he might have but when I cheked on this sight it said he was still active. Do you know much about Souleymane M'baye, not an ideal opponent as he dosen't have a name as such but maybe a good making time fight.

Dose anyone think he could get a match up with Freitas he must still have a name for himself state side although I can't see many lightweights lasting long it might be a useful scalp