Witter on the box

[Wellington]

Witter on the box

British, Commonwealth and European light welterweight champion Junior Witter is set to make two appearances on TV over the coming weeks.

First up, the Bradford switch hitter goes in to the BBC studios this Thursday to participate in an episode of Question of Sport that will be shown over the coming month.

He will feature on Rugby World Cup winner Matt Dawson’s team alongside Everton striker James Beattie.

Then, at 1am on Wednesday September 28th, Witter’s outstanding win over the world class Lovemore N’Dou will be shown in full on Channel 5’s fight of the week.

The contest stole the show on a big night of boxing in Los Angeles back in February headlined by Howard Eastman’s challenge to then undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins.

“I am delighted that a wider audience will now get to see my win in America earlier this year,” said Witter on hearing the news.

“I feel it really showed what I am all about. It was certainly one of the best performances of my career.

“N’Dou had never been put down in his career – even though he has boxed several top class contenders, including world champion Miguel Cotto – but I floored him heavily twice.

“Then I came on strong down the stretch, despite fracturing my hand in the early rounds, to secure a comfortable points decision.”

With the impressive win Witter moved into the top three of all the governing bodies rankings. He is highest placed with the WBC, who recently installed him as their number one contender to pound for pound contender ‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd Mayweather.

“Given my position in the ratings, one of the genuine champions will have to fight me sooner rather than later,” Witter explained.

“My preference would be to meet Mayweather, as he is the best in the division and I want to prove I am the best by beating the best. He also holds the prestigious WBC belt.”

Rumours have been circulating that Witter may be about to face another of the division’s champions.

Several pundits have put his name in the frame as a late replacement for Gianluca Branco, who has recently withdrawn from his scheduled challenge to WBO kingpin Miguel Cotto on September 24th in Atlantic City.

Whilst, however, Witter was asked whether he would consider taking the fight, it was never a serious possibility.

“Neither my training team the Ingles, my promoter Hennessy Sports, my co-promoter in America Oscar de la Hoya, or myself thought I should face Cotto on just a few weeks notice,” Witter said.

“At this stage of my career I don’t need to take last minute jobs.

“I have earned the right to challenge for a genuine world title on my terms.

“I am the number one contender to one of the best fighters in the world.

“And I am confident that the WBC will do the right thing by me and make me their mandatory.

“When my time does come I want to be in the shape of my life.

“I want a suitable amount of time to train so that I can ensure that I take my opportunity in style. I will leave no stone unturned.

“With the right preparation I can knock out any of the world champions in the division.”

[nickd]

I thought they were announcing a fight then! Damn.

They need to get him back in action again soon.

[stujones]

I'll tune into the Channel 5 show for sure. It really does bug me that I haven't got the first 30 seconds of that fight.

[nickd]

Fight of the week 7 months after the fight.... perhaps they should rename it?

[numpty]

Didn't think Witter was all that special against N'Dou and that was supposed to have been one of his best performances. Thought he scrapped the last fight against Kotlenik (spl) also. Had it not been for the 2 knockdowns, 2 of the judges would have had the N'Dou fight level.

I think Mayweather is way out of his league and he should think about taking the Cotto fight, albeit at short notice.. People are only ducking him because he isn't a big draw and they wont earn that much money for a tricky night.

But what do I know, I'm a numpty

[hitman_hatton1]

I'll tune into the Channel 5 show for sure. It really does bug me that I haven't got the first 30 seconds of that fight.

u saddo.

i thought they only put high profile sportsman on question of sport.

[stujones]

I'll tune into the Channel 5 show for sure. It really does bug me that I haven't got the first 30 seconds of that fight.

u saddo.

i thought they only put high profile sportsman on question of sport.

I know I am, it bugged me worse when I was watching those poor trailers on Setanta for 30 minutes cause I suspected that they would balls up the start time..... and they still didn't show the fight in its entirity as promised.

Still got some money back.

[nickd]

I'll tune into the Channel 5 show for sure. It really does bug me that I haven't got the first 30 seconds of that fight.

u saddo.

i thought they only put high profile sportsman on question of sport.

I know I am, it bugged me worse when I was watching those poor trailers on Setanta for 30 minutes cause I suspected that they would balls up the start time..... and they still didn't show the fight in its entirity as promised.

Still got some money back.

I only got round 4 onwards watching on NTL. I have downloaded the fight since though so managed to catch the early rounds I missed.

[hitman_hatton1]

i didn't bother paying for it, cos the beeb had eastman-hopkins on later the same night.

i couldn't care less for witter. i would never pay money to watch junior witter, unless it was watching him get flogged by hatton.

[stujones]

i didn't bother paying for it, cos the beeb had eastman-hopkins on later the same night.

i couldn't care less for witter. i would never pay money to watch junior witter, unless it was watching him get flogged by hatton.

Yes, but I can never resist finding out the result so that makes me a sucker for PPV's. Glad I bought it though for Taylor and Ikeke.

[Manos de Oro]

I'll be watching this, hopefully they throw in ringwalks too (it wasn't a long walk). Setana's coverage was really shite that night.