Why Hatton -Witter never happened

[johnswan1]

It's as simple as this; Witter was a big risk for little reward.

Agreed. I think Ricky probably would have won a UD on workrate, but Witter could have shaken him and finished the fight at any time given his unorthodox style and the fact that Hatton usually wobbled when he didn't see the punches coming. Against Tszyu he didn't prove he had a good chin - I just felt that he could see Tszyus punches coming and he never really took any huge shots. It was impressive win and he worked hard for it but I don't think people should be comparing Tszyu with Witter as proof Ricky would have won as he was a different type of fighter.

[Captain Hook]

Good points, but Tszyu will stroll into the Hall of Fame and was one of the most dangerous fighters on the planet.

Witter wasn't and never will....

Styles are all different, agreed. But so was the chasm in class and achievement.

The pair have a well known fighter in common, Zab Judah.

We all know what happened when the pair of them fought him....

[DavidPayne]

It's as simple as this; Witter was a big risk for little reward.

Agreed. I think Ricky probably would have won a UD on workrate, but Witter could have shaken him and finished the fight at any time given his unorthodox style and the fact that Hatton usually wobbled when he didn't see the punches coming. Against Tszyu he didn't prove he had a good chin - I just felt that he could see Tszyus punches coming and he never really took any huge shots. It was impressive win and he worked hard for it but I don't think people should be comparing Tszyu with Witter as proof Ricky would have won as he was a different type of fighter.

Magee had Hatton in queer street with his back to the ropes, twice. But for Uncle Micky Hatton could have been stopped.

On that basis Witter would have caused Ricky lots of problems. Might not have won, but Witter punched fkking hard with either hand, from unorthodox angles and for a two year period was busy, fluid with great timing.

He could have made Ricky look foolish even in defeat. I think thats what RH and SKY were afraid of, a stinker that made Ricky look one-dimensional even if he got the nod.

[Finn]

I'm a British Boxing fan who likes to see the best in the land square off against each other...... you're obviously not


Tszyu was belated, but it was good for boxin fans. Castillo was on his last legs by the time Hatton got to him. Floyd and Pac were good fights, but they weren't competitive

And you're obviously one of those bell ends who starts talking shite when people disagree with them. Witter wasnt a big name, he wasnt a very good champion, he's not that interesting to watch, and if he'd got in the ring with hatton it wouldnt have been competative either.

Thats why i wasnt interested in seeing the fight, and surprisingly why the tv networks werent interested either.

There's only one of us throwing insults about

Was Lazcano a BIG name? What about Urango, Collazo, Maussa, Oliveira, Stewart, Vilches, Pedersen, Rios.......... you're crazy if you think they were bigger names and better fights than Hatton-Witter

Hattons come forward style was made for Witter, that's why it didn't happen.

If Hatton was so confident about beating Witter, who according to you isn't even in his class, then he'd have shut him up in the ring, but he didn't he just repeatedly ducked him time and time again and British Boxing missed out on the inconic match of the decade

Iconic Britsh match of the decade? what planet are you on, only boxing fans knew who witter was, everyone else had never heard of him or thought he was a yank.

They hardly even used to show him on britsh tv.

Lazcano was a confidence builder after the floyd loss. But yeah i would say maussa the WBA world champion was a good opponent in fact that victory won him ring fighter of the year did it not?

Tszyu, Maussa, Castillo, Urango, Collazo, Floyd, Pac, and Malignaggi were all better fights than witter.

The only argument could be that hatton could have fought witter as one of his eliminators or when he held the WBU title. But since Witter was still only the EBU champion then and didnt even win a world title until hatton was on to massive fights and paydays against the big names of the division. Who the hell wanted to see him fight witter. A couple of british fanboys?

[observer1]

And you're obviously one of those bell ends who starts talking shite when people disagree with them. Witter wasnt a big name, he wasnt a very good champion, he's not that interesting to watch, and if he'd got in the ring with hatton it wouldnt have been competative either.

Thats why i wasnt interested in seeing the fight, and surprisingly why the tv networks werent interested either.

There's only one of us throwing insults about

Was Lazcano a BIG name? What about Urango, Collazo, Maussa, Oliveira, Stewart, Vilches, Pedersen, Rios.......... you're crazy if you think they were bigger names and better fights than Hatton-Witter

Hattons come forward style was made for Witter, that's why it didn't happen.

If Hatton was so confident about beating Witter, who according to you isn't even in his class, then he'd have shut him up in the ring, but he didn't he just repeatedly ducked him time and time again and British Boxing missed out on the inconic match of the decade

Iconic Britsh match of the decade? what planet are you only boxing fans knew who witter was, everyone else had never heard of him or thought he was a yank.

They hardly even used to show him on britsh tv.

Lazcano was a confidence builder after the floyd loss. But yeah i would say maussa the WBA world champion was a good opponent in fact that victory won him ring fighter of the year did it not?

Tszyu, Maussa, Castillo, Urango, Collazo, Floyd, Pac, and Malignaggi were all better fights than witter.

The only argument could be that hatton could have fought witter as one of his eliminators or when he held the WBU title. But since Witter was still only the EBU champion then and didnt even win a world title until hatton was on to massive fights and paydays against the big names of the division. Who the hell wanted to see him fight witter. A couple of british fanboys?

British fans are hilarious,

[Brute]

Agree but I would add that Hatton didn't want to give Witter the biggest payday of his career either.

Correct. It got very personal.

At the end of the day Ricky fought Tszyu, Pac and Floyd - but afraid of Witter ?

It's a shame it never happened - The Homecoming would have been great if vs Witter who had WBC title at the time.

But Ricky was coming off a loss, so perhaps wouldn't have gone straight in there before a tune-up.

Oh well

Who did Witter beat for the WBC title? DeMarcus Corley, in his umpteenth shot at a title for a "vacant" title? Sorry, not impressed.

[jessi]

its never to late

[mickey1975]

its never to late

It is.It would be li Nelson-Fenech 3 now

[Chambers2]

Iconic Britsh match of the decade? what planet are you on, only boxing fans knew who witter was, everyone else had never heard of him or thought he was a yank.

They hardly even used to show him on britsh tv.

Lazcano was a confidence builder after the floyd loss. But yeah i would say maussa the WBA world champion was a good opponent in fact that victory won him ring fighter of the year did it not?

Tszyu, Maussa, Castillo, Urango, Collazo, Floyd, Pac, and Malignaggi were all better fights than witter.

The only argument could be that hatton could have fought witter as one of his eliminators or when he held the WBU title. But since Witter was still only the EBU champion then and didnt even win a world title until hatton was on to massive fights and paydays against the big names of the division. Who the hell wanted to see him fight witter. A couple of british fanboys?

Hatton had the perfect opportunity to fight Witter and appease the British fans when he decided to take on Lazcano and Mallignaggi, 2 far easier fights.

You're claiming that nobody knew who Witter was and that's why the fight didn't happen, who'd heard of Lazcano, Urango, Mallignaggi, Collazzo, Maussa, Rios ..etc. etc. etc. when Ricky fought them? Why were these acceptable to you, but not Witter?

If you think that nobody in Britain was interested in this fight, then you obviously weren't on the boxing forums at the time (who were all clamouring for the fight) and you didn't watch the legendary Steve Bunces Boxing Hour where there were numerous debates on the matter.

Hatton ducked Witter for a decade and repeatedly chose easier fights than Witter (other than Floyd and Manny...... possibly Tszyu, but it's difficult to know what he had left in the tank at that point)

[DavidPayne]

Hasn't Hatton drawn a line under his career....oops, no offence.

[sharpei_louis]

I would have loved the fight to be made, and probably Hatton's ego is the main reason it didn't.

Yeah Witter was in with a puncher's chance, but it was no more than that...

Still amazed he couldn't sell any tickets, because he's obviously left something of a legacy out of the ring. In it, he was for very long periods a very boring and ungainly fighter, occasionally showing flashes of brilliance and timing. But he's left a lot of people thinking those flashes of brilliance were more sustained and that he was more than that. The truth is he wasn't... he gets better the more we talk about him, whereas Hatton gets worse.

Hatton would have completely steamrollered Witter. At Hatton's peak his workrate was insurmountable, and when people are commenting on his bieng wobbled against Magee, I notice the next ten rounds of total dominance are ignored. He'd have done the same to Witter. Yeah Junior could bang, but he would never have had Hatton's number and I believe he called for the fight repeatedly more for the payday than any genuine held belief he would win.

[sharpei_louis]

And as for the article, funny how you can interpret things. I saw the interview with Warren and took it as confirmation that the TV networks thought Witter was as boring a fighter as I did.

[Crease]

The only reason Hatton vs Witter never happened was because Hatton wouldn't have beern getting enough cash for it.

[Crease]

who'd heard of Lazcano, Urango, Mallignaggi, Collazzo, Maussa, Rios ..etc. etc. etc. when Ricky fought them?

It's not like any of his opponents are easy fights.

Carlos Maussa: It was a unification fight, and everyone likes them. :)

Luis Collazo: Hatton wanted to prove himself as a 2-weight world Champion, though I didn't think it was his best fight.

Juan Urango: Urango was unbeaten before the fight, and it was Ricky's chance to get his old IBF Title back.

Juan Lazcano: Lazcano was an experienced top contender before Ricky beat him.

All these guys were top fighters when Ricky fought them. I agree that I would have liked to see Hatton vs Witter, but these guys aren't blowovers.

And the likes of Tszyu and Castillo will be remembered as all time greats.

Mayweather and Pacquaio will be remebmered as legends.

[Finn]

Iconic Britsh match of the decade? what planet are you on, only boxing fans knew who witter was, everyone else had never heard of him or thought he was a yank.

They hardly even used to show him on britsh tv.

Lazcano was a confidence builder after the floyd loss. But yeah i would say maussa the WBA world champion was a good opponent in fact that victory won him ring fighter of the year did it not?

Tszyu, Maussa, Castillo, Urango, Collazo, Floyd, Pac, and Malignaggi were all better fights than witter.

The only argument could be that hatton could have fought witter as one of his eliminators or when he held the WBU title. But since Witter was still only the EBU champion then and didnt even win a world title until hatton was on to massive fights and paydays against the big names of the division. Who the hell wanted to see him fight witter. A couple of british fanboys?

Hatton had the perfect opportunity to fight Witter and appease the British fans when he decided to take on Lazcano and Mallignaggi, 2 far easier fights.

You're claiming that nobody knew who Witter was and that's why the fight didn't happen, who'd heard of Lazcano, Urango, Mallignaggi, Collazzo, Maussa, Rios ..etc. etc. etc. when Ricky fought them? Why were these acceptable to you, but not Witter?

If you think that nobody in Britain was interested in this fight, then you obviously weren't on the boxing forums at the time (who were all clamouring for the fight) and you didn't watch the legendary Steve Bunces Boxing Hour where there were numerous debates on the matter.

Hatton ducked Witter for a decade and repeatedly chose easier fights than Witter (other than Floyd and Manny...... possibly Tszyu, but it's difficult to know what he had left in the tank at that point)

It may surprise you but the keyboard warriors tend to be hardcore fans not the general public. And they dont make up the viewing figures or ticket sales. In fact i would guess 60% of the posters on here dont even have sky never mind pay out £14.95 for the ppv's.

And your repeating yourself ignoring what i have written. Hatton didnt fight Rios after he fought Tszyu! He fought lazcano after the loss to PBF as a confidence builder. And Malignaggi was a far bigger draw than Witter.

He did appease the british fans - the only people who moan about him not fighting witter are a handful of forum posters. If i went out into the street and asked 1000 people who jr witter was i'd be lucky if i found more than a handful that could answer correctly.

Witter was frustrating to watch, couldnt sell tickets, and tv companies didnt want him on their bills.

If as you suggest britain was in mass uproar about hatton v witter not happening - it would have happened. But britain wasnt in uproar because noone gave a monkeys about witter.

The fact that your trying to fobb off other world champions hatton fought as not as good as witter. Just shows your probably a witter fanboy who just cant get over the fact that noone wanted to watch him.

[observer1]

Iconic Britsh match of the decade? what planet are you on, only boxing fans knew who witter was, everyone else had never heard of him or thought he was a yank.

They hardly even used to show him on britsh tv.

Lazcano was a confidence builder after the floyd loss. But yeah i would say maussa the WBA world champion was a good opponent in fact that victory won him ring fighter of the year did it not?

Tszyu, Maussa, Castillo, Urango, Collazo, Floyd, Pac, and Malignaggi were all better fights than witter.

The only argument could be that hatton could have fought witter as one of his eliminators or when he held the WBU title. But since Witter was still only the EBU champion then and didnt even win a world title until hatton was on to massive fights and paydays against the big names of the division. Who the hell wanted to see him fight witter. A couple of british fanboys?

Hatton had the perfect opportunity to fight Witter and appease the British fans when he decided to take on Lazcano and Mallignaggi, 2 far easier fights.

You're claiming that nobody knew who Witter was and that's why the fight didn't happen, who'd heard of Lazcano, Urango, Mallignaggi, Collazzo, Maussa, Rios ..etc. etc. etc. when Ricky fought them? Why were these acceptable to you, but not Witter?

If you think that nobody in Britain was interested in this fight, then you obviously weren't on the boxing forums at the time (who were all clamouring for the fight) and you didn't watch the legendary Steve Bunces Boxing Hour where there were numerous debates on the matter.

Hatton ducked Witter for a decade and repeatedly chose easier fights than Witter (other than Floyd and Manny...... possibly Tszyu, but it's difficult to know what he had left in the tank at that point)

It may surprise you but the keyboard warriors tend to be hardcore fans not the general public. And they dont make up the viewing figures or ticket sales. In fact i would guess 60% of the posters on here dont even have sky never mind pay out £14.95 for the ppv's.

And your repeating yourself ignoring what i have written. Hatton didnt fight Rios after he fought Tszyu! He fought lazcano after the loss to PBF as a confidence builder. And Malignaggi was a far bigger draw than Witter.

He did appease the british fans - the only people who moan about him not fighting witter are a handful of forum posters. If i went out into the street and asked 1000 people who jr witter was i'd be lucky if i found more than a handful that could answer correctly.

Witter was frustrating to watch, couldnt sell tickets, and tv companies didnt want him on their bills.

If as you suggest britain was in mass uproar about hatton v witter not happening - it would have happened. But britain wasnt in uproar because noone gave a monkeys about witter.

The fact that your trying to fobb off other world champions hatton fought as not as good as witter. Just shows your probably a witter fanboy who just cant get over the fact that noone wanted to watch him.

You openly said you ignored what i said in the other post.. Pot calling the Kettle Black??

Secondly, if you're a Boxing fan, then what's money got to do with it? Only people making an earning is Witter/Hatton.
The point is that it was a domestic match up that was seen as close. The bouts Hatton had aside from Mayweather/Tszu/Pac were nothing big.

Hatton was with Sky, so the right angle, Hatton could have made money. Just look at the sh!t Sky pumps put to chumps i.e. Haye-Audley..

Besides, Witter has gone down saying he'd fight him for free. Seeing as you thinking Hatton was better, surely it was Win-Win for Hatton?

[sharpei_louis]

You don't naively believe that Witter said he'd fight Hatton for free to the media AND in negotiations do you?
What gets said to the cameras is a different ball game than what gets said on paper. Do you think at a time when Witter held the WBC title he'd have given Hatton any more than a 40-60 split? And that would grate given that Hatton would bring in literally 95% of the revenue for the fight.

[Chambers2]

It may surprise you but the keyboard warriors tend to be hardcore fans not the general public. And they dont make up the viewing figures or ticket sales. In fact i would guess 60% of the posters on here dont even have sky never mind pay out £14.95 for the ppv's.

And your repeating yourself ignoring what i have written. Hatton didnt fight Rios after he fought Tszyu! He fought lazcano after the loss to PBF as a confidence builder. And Malignaggi was a far bigger draw than Witter.

So you're saying the general British public had heard of Lazcano, Urango, Castillo etcetra, but they've not heard of Junior Witter??? That's just not true

Who said the fight had to happen after Tszyu??? there were plenty of opportunities to fight him prior to that fight

It's you that's ignoring my posts, so i'll ask the same question again "You're claiming that nobody knew who Witter was and that's why the fight didn't happen, who'd heard of Lazcano, Urango, Mallignaggi, Collazzo, Maussa, Rios ..etc. etc. etc. when Ricky fought them? Why were these acceptable to you, but not Witter?".

Your only argument for the fight not to happen is that nobody had heard of Witter, but plenty of his opponents were unknown, so it's not a valid argument.

He did appease the british fans - the only people who moan about him not fighting witter are a handful of forum posters. If i went out into the street and asked 1000 people who jr witter was i'd be lucky if i found more than a handful that could answer correctly.

If you went onto the street and asked a 1000 people who Hatton other opponents they'd struggle just as much, probably more so

Witter was frustrating to watch, couldnt sell tickets, and tv companies didnt want him on their bills.

If as you suggest britain was in mass uproar about hatton v witter not happening - it would have happened. But britain wasnt in uproar because noone gave a monkeys about witter.

The fact that your trying to fobb off other world champions hatton fought as not as good as witter. Just shows your probably a witter fanboy who just cant get over the fact that noone wanted to watch him.

I'm not a fan of Witters particularly, I'm a fan of British Boxing and I want to see the best in the land fight each other.

Witter was a World Class Light Welter from Britain and him and Hatton had plenty of history and bad blood between them. The fight should have happened for those reasons alone

[Chambers2]

You don't naively believe that Witter said he'd fight Hatton for free to the media AND in negotiations do you?
What gets said to the cameras is a different ball game than what gets said on paper. Do you think at a time when Witter held the WBC title he'd have given Hatton any more than a 40-60 split? And that would grate given that Hatton would bring in literally 95% of the revenue for the fight.

Of course Witter would have give Hatton more than a 40-60 split, Junior wanted the fight and I don't beleive money would've been an issue......... if Hatton had wanted the fight

[Captain Hook]

Stuart Chambers + Junior Witter threads = dynamite :)

[Chambers2]

Stuart Chambers + Junior Witter Vs Ricky Hatton threads = dynamite :)

Corrected

I can't help myself

[Chris W 1982]

This should have happened. No matter what anyone says.

British boxing has always relied on rivalries for massive occassions and this fight would have been no different. Many stories leaked for why the fight didn't happen but I can't look past the fact that Ricky wanted no part of Witter.

Ok, he fought Tzsyu, Mayweather and Pacquiao but careers can be rebuilt after losing to those names. Hatton went in with three pound for pound greats and was paid handsomely for doing so. A risk fight with Witter would not bring the same reward and many people would have questioned his true ability if he was to lose to the Bradford man.

Constant references to "Showtime not wanting the fight" fall way short of the mark too. This was a Pennines derby, War ofthe Roses type fight where both competitors despised each other. With FW brain, Ricky's banter and Witter's tongue, this fight could have easily have been sold to Showtime, Sky and the British public.

I believe Ricky would have to negotiate a few tense moments in the early rounds but he would get on top halfway and win via UD

[Captain Hook]

Everyone - even the sharpest anti-Hatton posters on this thread - have the Mancunian winning should they have ever met in the ring.

I find that staggering given the vitriol over Ricky's reported avoidance of Witter.

[Chambers2]

Everyone - even the sharpest anti-Hatton posters on this thread - have the Mancunian winning should they have ever met in the ring.

I find that staggering given the vitriol over Ricky's reported avoidance of Witter.

It's by no means a guarenteed outcome though, (I'd have it 60-40 or 55-45 in Hattons favour) as Witter dreams of fighting people with Rickys come forward style, but if Ricky could last the first 4 rounds or so then start getting closer to Juniors chest (no easy task) then I'd fancy him to takeover in the second half of the fight.

Ricky showed a Great chin against Tzsyu and walked through bombs, but as we all saw his cast iron chin desserted him later on. Who knows what would've happened when Witter landed

Who would've won the fight is not the issue, the issue is that the fight didn't happen