Witter to fight for WBC title, turned down by Hatton

Wellington · Post by **Wellington** » 23 Mar 2006, 14:08

Witter to fight for WBC title, turned down by Hatton

http://www.hennessysports.com/upload/09 ... ter250.jpg

Hennessy Sports promoted Junior Witter looks set to face former WBO champion DeMarcus Corley this summer for the vacant prestigious WBC light welterweight title reportedly vacated by Floyd Mayweather.

Once validated by the governing body, the news will mean that the Bradford switch-hitter won’t have to wait for Mayweather to decide what division to campaign in after his welterweight fight against Zab Judah in April.

As the WBC’s #1 and mandatory contender he will now automatically be paired off against #2 Corley for the Championship providing the American - who has mixed with the world’s elite in a highly accomplished ten-year career - elects to take the fight.

“I would have happily fought Mayweather for the title, he is one of the biggest names in boxing, but this will mean I don’t have to hang around for anything,” Witter said on hearing the news. “Things are mapping themselves out nicely for me.

“I have the mandatory defence of my European title against Giuseppe Lauri in Italy in April, providing Salvatore Cerchi goes through with the purse bid for the fight, so I will be sharp for Corley. I should get my shot by the 1st July. The timing looks perfect.”

The Ingle trained ‘Hitter’ knows a bit about the highly regarded Corley who holds wins over former WBO champion Ener Julio, former WBA champion Randall Bailey and Felix Flores, whom he beat in June 2001 to claim the WBO title. He made two successful defences before losing a split decision to Zab Judah in July 2003.

The 31-year-old from Washington has also taken Mayweather the distance and last year challenged Miguel Cotto for his WBO title. Whilst the Puerto Rican won in 5, the stoppage was disputed and came after a real war during which he rocked the champion.

“I have seen a few of Corley’s fights on tape,” the 32-year-old Witter added. “I was down to fight him once when he had the WBO title and although it never came about, I took a look at him. He’s a decent fighter, but he doesn’t scare me at all. I see opportunities. He’s going down.

“He’s a boxer, not a brawler; a thinking fighter. In the Mayweather fight I could see he was nervous about Mayweather’s speed. I am as fast as Mayweather and I hit harder. I fancy my chances of stopping him, even though the only other stoppage he has suffered, (against Cotto), may not have been spot on.

“He showed in that fight he can hit as well. He’s a decent little puncher. I’m going to have to be on my game, but when I am on fire no-one can beat me.”

That is not Witter’s only warning for ‘Chop-Chop’. The former undefeated British, Commonwealth and European champion has promised to improve on his two recent performances, points wins over tough Ukrainian Andreas Kotelnik and domestic mandatory contender Colin Lynes.

“I was a bit flat in those fights,” he admitted. “But I struggled to motivate myself for them. No disrespect but I feel I have moved beyond these guys to the world stage now, I proved that by doing what I did against Lovemore N’Dou last February. I need something to get up for, like the WBC title. It is the biggest prize in the sport. With that on horizon, I am buzzing now.

“If Corley is thinking the guy from the last two fights is turning up he is in for a rude awakening. He can watch those fights as much as he wants, but that isn’t what he’s going to get.”

By securing the WBC light welterweight title, Witter would become Britain’s second current genuine world champion in the division. Despite his long-term domestic rivalry with IBF and WBA holder Ricky Hatton, however, he is still not convinced a marquee unification clash would take place.

“If we were both world champions I still don’t know if Hatton would face me, even though it would be the biggest fight in British Boxing history,” Witter continued. “All the time he was with Warren, he was saying that a fight against me was in his contract and that he wanted it, but it never happened.

“Now he has left Warren and appears to be more in control of his own career it still isn’t happening. He has been looking for an opponent for his May 13th date for ages. I was offered to his American broadcasters HBO and I hear they approved me, but I have been told that Hatton’s team said no, even though I am his most credible contender.

“I am number four with the WBA, number three with the IBF and number one with both the WBO and WBC. There is nobody else in the top five of every recognised governing body. I was the natural choice, but instead of taking me on and giving everyone the fight they want to see, he is looking elsewhere, apparently even in the welterweight division. From what I hear there is a shortlist of three: Curly, Larry and Moe.”

Rocky Balboa · Post by **Rocky Balboa** » 23 Mar 2006, 14:11

I so badly want Witter to be in there fighting Mayweather. Witter talks a lot, not that Mayweather does not, but Junior would be given a boxing lesson.

I really think the difference in class would be shown greatly if Witter ever fought Mayweather! Witter's not on Mayweather's level!

Twinkle Toes · Post by **Twinkle Toes** » 23 Mar 2006, 15:15

Witter thinks he's as fast as Mayweather?

Muwhaha

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 23 Mar 2006, 16:40

Mayweather-Witter wouldn't be much good for entertainment purposes, watching both men with huge egos posing and prodding and then Witter running like in the Judah fight to avoid being stopped. I dont care what he says i think he is on the slide, but he deserves his title shot, he has waited long enough for it.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 23 Mar 2006, 16:58

My biggest frustration with hatton is that he has avoided this fight for so long, you can't contest that Witter doesn't deserve it. Don't think I have seen corly whats he like

split_decision · Post by **split_decision** » 23 Mar 2006, 17:23

josh fg wrote:My biggest frustration with hatton is that he has avoided this fight for so long, you can't contest that Witter doesn't deserve it. Don't think I have seen corly whats he like

He's a decent fighter, quick hands, has a bit of a dig but has always been found wanting at the top level. Wobbled both Cotto and Mayweather.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 23 Mar 2006, 17:32

Whats his style?

kevo · Post by **kevo** » 23 Mar 2006, 17:38

Slick boxer type. Not go the greatest power, but can punch hard enough togain Witters respect

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 23 Mar 2006, 17:40

I always rate witter with a chance cos he is so damn tricky in terms of his switching style, most boxers don't know what to make of it. However a good dig is often a good antidote to a switch hitter

kevo · Post by **kevo** » 23 Mar 2006, 18:09

True, but then a good dig is often an antidote to most styles!

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 23 Mar 2006, 18:21

Tua Lewis is proof that isn't always the case

kevo · Post by **kevo** » 23 Mar 2006, 18:22

Hmm, good point :)

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 23 Mar 2006, 18:37

josh fg wrote:Tua Lewis is proof that isn't always the case

Witter's not limited like Tua was though.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 24 Mar 2006, 05:19

No matter what my thoughts on this, good luck to Witter, he's had a very frustrating career over the last few years, this is probably the best chance he will ever get to wear a big three belt around his waist.

dandantheweatherman · Post by **dandantheweatherman** » 24 Mar 2006, 06:14

Does is European title fight in Italy next month still go ahead then?

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 24 Mar 2006, 09:28

Surely not.

I'm glad Witter's getting his crack, but it's also a huge relief to NOT see Witter-Lauri again. Mind you it would have to be the safest bet ever for a Brit defending his title in Italy. 8)

states · Post by **states** » 24 Mar 2006, 09:31

Witter says he's going ahead with the Lauri fight:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/4840012.stm

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 24 Mar 2006, 09:32

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 24 Mar 2006, 09:40

Imagine if he loses to Lauri now

, he seems to be overlooking Lauri -seeing him as an easy payday of a guy hes already ko'd in 2 but he could be shocked

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 24 Mar 2006, 09:43

You just get a horrible feeling something bad is going to happen, like a career threatening injury.

Hope not.

states · Post by **states** » 24 Mar 2006, 09:43

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Imagine if he loses to Lauri now , he seems to be overlooking Lauri -seeing him as an easy payday of a guy hes already ko'd in 2 but he could be shocked

Exactly. He no doubt thought he'd get Lynes out of there early. If he does the same thing over in Italy, and let's it go to the cards......

Surely he won't fornicate up here though. There can be no excuse about motivation with a winnable WBC shot next up.

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 24 Mar 2006, 09:46

states wrote:
Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Imagine if he loses to Lauri now , he seems to be overlooking Lauri -seeing him as an easy payday of a guy hes already ko'd in 2 but he could be shocked
Exactly. He no doubt thought he'd get Lynes out of there early. If he does the same thing over in Italy, and let's it go to the cards......

Surely he won't smeg up here though. There can be no excuse about motivation with a winnable WBC shot next up.

Could easily be the mistake of overlooking the man in front of you for the next man. Lauri could wrestle a decision if he avoids the power early on, steals a few close rounds and its close down the straight.

Coconut · Post by **Coconut** » 24 Mar 2006, 09:48

Wittter's been really quiet of late. N'Dou and Rabah have been jumping up and down for the Hatton fight but Witter hasn't been making much noise at all.

In addition to which, he's number one for Mayweather's and Cotto's belts. Yet he's not been looking for those either.

Not sure why this should be. Confidence been knocked?

Witter's quality but he spoils so much of his work by switching stance for no reason. It upsets his own rhythm more than his opponent's and tires him out (seemingly). Southpaw with the ability to box a few spurts as orthodox has to be more effective in terms of building his own rhythm, helping him maintian balance and speed, and letting him get those strong shots off.

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 24 Mar 2006, 09:49

If he can't come through Lauri then he probably shouldn't get his shot. I mean if he can't beat Lauri then he isn't gonna beat Corley.

Hopefully it will be a good condfidence boosting KO over in italy to go into his title shot with. Can't see the WBC waiting for him if he picks up an injury though

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 24 Mar 2006, 09:55

Coconut wrote:Wittter's been really quiet of late. N'Dou and Rabah have been jumping up and down for the Hatton fight but Witter hasn't been making much noise at all.

In addition to which, he's number one for Mayweather's and Cotto's belts. Yet he's not been looking for those either.

Not sure why this should be. Confidence been knocked?

Witter's quality but he spoils so much of his work by switching stance for no reason. It upsets his own rhythm more than his opponent's and tires him out (seemingly). Southpaw with the ability to box a few spurts as orthodox has to be more effective in terms of building his own rhythm, helping him maintian balance and speed, and letting him get those strong shots off.

Err, can you blame Witter? Hatton has made it clear he wouldn't fight Witter if he was the only boxer left on the planet, not unless Hatton needed Witter for some reason.

I doubt Lauri can pull off a win, the only slight concern is that the last two fighters to face Witter showed the blueprint to beat him, block, mug, spoil and break up Witter's rhythmn early on, then come on around the 5th and start pumping out the jab. Witter seemed to lose all his confidence in the 2nd half of the fight against Kotelnik when he was forced to box orthodox with a high guard he looked very uncomfortable, like he wasn't enjoying it one bit.