Witter lines up date with Pretty Boy

Wellington · Post by **Wellington** » 13 Jan 2006, 11:40

Witter lines up date with Pretty Boy

http://www.hennessysports.com/upload/09 ... ter600.jpg

Commonwealth and European light welterweight champion Junior Witter is another Hennessy Sports fighter set for a massive 2006 after being officially installed by the WBC as the mandatory contender to their light welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather.

A purse bid was due to be held today for his contest against Gianluca Branco to establish who would fill that position, but the Bradford switch hitter woke up to a letter from the governing body this morning that read:

“You have been officially appointed as mandatory challenger for the super lightweight division as per the agreement at our convention in October, since Gianluca Branco has withdrawn from the final elimination bout ordered by the WBC.”

It added: "The WBC is very proud of you; you participated in an elimination bout beating Lovemore N’Dou in a great fight and we would like to wish you the best of luck in your career.”

Branco has opted to fight WBO champion Miguel Cotto rather than face Witter.

It was a turn of events predicted by Hennessy Sports head Mick Hennessy, who duly sought assurances from the WBC at their convention in Cadiz last year that should the Italian withdraw, his man automatically be given the right to challenge Mayweather.

It comes at the end of a good week for the promotional company. They had already secured Howard Eastman a final eliminator for the IBF middleweight title, Carl Froch the #6 position in the super middleweight rankings with the WBC and Lenny Daws a final eliminator for the British light welterweight title.

Witter, who actually vacated the British light welterweight title yesterday, is understandably upbeat. “I’m really happy to finally have the mandatory position,” he said. “Fighting for the WBC title will mean the world to me. It’s the belt everyone wants; it’s the dream.

“That’s why I have patiently gone about earning my shot and remained very loyal to the WBC, despite being presented with other opportunities.

“Thanks to my promoter Mick Hennessy, they have recognised this. This is a result of Mick fighting my corner at their convention in Spain last year. He told them Branco would go missing and he did.

“I’m glad he is finally out of the picture. He has pulled out of fights before. He was supposed to fight me a while back for the European, but pulled out. He was then next to me in the WBC rankings, but was withdrawn because he was supposed to fight Cotto.

“That fight didn’t happen, so he was put back in the WBC rankings and mandated to fight me. Now he has pulled out again. He has swerved me at world and European level. He must know I will knock him out, even though he started talking big a while back when I said he was scared of his own shadow. Let’s hope he goes through with this latest world title shot.”

Witter, who’s only defeat came in November 2000 when as a novice he took then IBF champion Zab Judah the distance on seven days notice, now has bigger fish than Branco to fry. Next up could be ‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd Mayweather, regarded by many as the world’s best pound for pound, although his next move remains unclear.

“I’ve given up predicting what fighters are going to do, but I hope Mayweather sticks around,” Witter added. “Even though he is the toughest fight out there I want him and genuinely believe I can beat him.

“I think he is a brilliant fighter and has grown into the light welterweight division much better than I thought he would do, but his chin still hasn’t been tested by a proper puncher at the weight like me. I have been a light welterweight since I was 16.

“I am stronger than anybody else he has ever fought. I would build on that by getting myself into fantastic condition. This is the fight I need to motivate myself. If it happens I am going to go into a training camp in America. My focus will be unbelievable.

“It would be a very skilful, technical fight. He is a great thinking fighter, but I know that I will catch him. Then I wouldn’t let him get off the hook. I would jump on him.”

Should Mayweather vacate, Witter will meet a co-challenger for the vacant WBC crown. There is no potential foe that worries him.

“I don’t mind who I have to fight if Mayweather does go elsewhere, as long as it’s soon,” he continued. “I am confident I can beat any 140lb fighter in the world. Maybe Zab Judah could step in. That might make for an interesting rematch if he comes back down to light welterweight now that he has been beaten. It would be a whole different affair this time round. I have championship experience now and would get notice this time. I would knock him out.”

With this development, the Ingle trained fighter could be forgiven for letting his mind race forward to a unification match against long time rival Ricky Hatton. He’s having none of it.

“I’m not thinking that far ahead,” he stressed. “I want to get that green belt round my waist first. Mayweather has to fight me before the end of June and I will start making decisions after that. I am sure that there will be plenty of opportunities once I am champion, but I will leave Mick to handle that.”

bugs · Post by **bugs** » 13 Jan 2006, 11:47

Excellent, he deserves it, but I dont fancy his chances.

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 13 Jan 2006, 12:28

If Hatton doesn't want Floyd till the end of the year and with Mayweather having a free date after the Judah defeat surely a mandatory defence of his title has got to be one of the possibilities. Should be an easy win for Mayweather if he takes it

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 13 Jan 2006, 12:37

If it happens Witter would be a live underdog. 2 of my fave fighter but I for 1 would be routing for him. Witter has the equaliser if he can land it, Mayweather may also come in underestimating Junior. If PBF fights on the back foot all night he'll win an easy UD BUT imagine if PBF is on the offensive with his combinations and Junior lands 1 of his hail mary counters. I doubt it'll happen though because Mayweather doesn't like live underdogs (could have fought Witter/Harris/Mayorga in the past) he'd prefer an easy none dangerous opponent like Baldomir.

rook · Post by **rook** » 13 Jan 2006, 12:43

Good news for British Boxing

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 13 Jan 2006, 12:56

I don't give Witter much chance of beating Floyd, he struggled against Kotelnik, who did little more than keep his guard up, and Floyd is way faster than him, not to mention in a different league technically.

However, it don't matter, the fight won't happen. Floyd will not be interested in fighting Witter.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 13 Jan 2006, 12:57

May I add though....

The best of British to Junior all the same...

glahn · Post by **glahn** » 13 Jan 2006, 14:11

Witter has a puncher's chance only. Mayweather will box rings around him, in my opinion - especially if he performs at the leve he did against Kotelnik and Lynes.

JC · Post by JC » 13 Jan 2006, 15:24

Is Mayweather actually going to defend his light welter belt now that he has moved up to welter?

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 13 Jan 2006, 15:24

It will take a really good slick pressure fighter to beat Mayweather. Look what Mayweather did to Corralles, he knocked the shit out of him. Witter is faster than Corralles and a bit slicker, but he doesn't have the same offensive prowess at top level.

I think Witter's style isn't a good one to fight Mayweather, he likes to come forward throws shots and move back out of range with his hands down, and uses movement and speed.

Mayweather is technically too good to be overcome I think by someone zooming round the ring throwing punches from all angles.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 13 Jan 2006, 19:18

It will be good for British boxing if Mayweather vacates.... Sorry, I think Floyd will make him look a bit silly.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 13 Jan 2006, 19:45

*says in an Eric Cartman voice*

GOD DAMN IT!

Hope Witter pulls it off though because he'll need the support. Struggled with Kotelnik but won easy since he just overworked himself due to Kotelnik doing nothing till round 7.

Land that punch Junior.

What else does Floyd have in his arsenal other than blocking with elbow, covering up and his handspeed and just normal boxing skills?

tcwilliams · Post by **tcwilliams** » 13 Jan 2006, 23:36

It will not happen HBO will not won't this fight and there going to pay MAyweather millions of dollars to fight this guy

Razor · Post by **Razor** » 14 Jan 2006, 14:19

Should be a great match, i think PBF will outbox him, but who knows in boxing.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 14 Jan 2006, 14:26

tcwilliams wrote:It will not happen HBO will not won't this fight and there going to pay MAyweather millions of dollars to fight this guy

HBO must be crushed.

They can;'t stop Taylor from getting a beating from Winky though.

Wrists · Post by **Wrists** » 14 Jan 2006, 14:39

JamesMc - Surely a pressure fighter who will come all night is the style to trouble PBF????

We all saw what Castillo did in there 1st fight - I would think thats the way to

Thats why i think Hatton v PBF is a fascinating fight, it could be argued that Hatton's style is ideal to trouble PBF whereas others will think PBF will pick Ricky off all night - thats the beauty of the fight!!

Witter has no chance against PBF - he has levelled off and if cannot stop Kotelnik or Lynes has no chance against arguably the best fighter in the sport

Regards

Wrists

Wrists · Post by **Wrists** » 14 Jan 2006, 14:41

Sorry JimmyMc just read your post again!!

My humble apologies!!

Regards

Wrists

PROSPECT · Post by **PROSPECT** » 14 Jan 2006, 16:06

witter has no chance of being victor against pbf

oscar · Post by **oscar** » 14 Jan 2006, 18:08

GREAT IF IT HAPPENS, I DONT SEE IT THOUGH.EVEN SO WITTER DOES DESERVE A SHOT AT A TITLE, I RECKON HE WILL GET A GO AT THE VACANT TITLE WHEN PBF MOVES ON

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 14 Jan 2006, 18:17

I did not see the controvesy with Castillo vs Mayweather 1. I thought the rematch was very similar, but yet that wasn't deemed controvesial.

Remember though, Mayweather had problems with his hands that seem to have sorted. I thought Mayweather won both fights with Castillo comfortably as he did vs Chavez (a similar pressure fighter).

jamie wadman · Post by **jamie wadman** » 15 Jan 2006, 07:21

this is a fight i would like to see.