Witter to Hatton: Give Britain what it wants

Evander · Post by **Evander** » 09 Feb 2007, 07:21

If it sells in the UK go for it.
My guess is that Witter isn't that big.
I liked the sound of it awhile ago but that was then.

In order to make Witter something he will need a bigger name.
He wasn't that impressive against Corley.
Throw Diego Corrales at him or something.
There are no big names at 140 and 147 is too big for Witter.

His best option would be to tempt a name Lightweight up there at this point.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 09 Feb 2007, 07:35

stujones wrote:
viciousmaussa wrote:Witter has an ugly style and certainly isn't for the purists. He also needs to do something about switching stances every few seconds because I can't see the purpose in it. However, he is awkwardly effective and hits hard. He beat a fired up N'dou - who just made Rabah quit... (who boxed Urango's ears off..) - despite losing all the middle rounds, scraped by a skilled Kotelnik and in truth he won most of the rds vs Corley.

If he gets by the Harris-Lazcano winner, and maybe Demetrius Hopkins, we can say for sure that he's a top level fighter regardless of what he looks like.
Hatton has ducked Witter and I think if Hatton looked vulnerable versus fine fighters Thaxton and Magee, he would look like shit against Witter. I also think Witter would beat him because he's kept himself in better nick and has more desire for the all British fight. Witter must visualise the fight all the time whereas all Hatton has to do is get someone to write a dismissive press release or make something up on the fly when a camera and mice is pointed at him.

Certainly Castillo is more important for Hatton globally. Castillo could end Hatton's run with those body shots. Hatton used to take a great shot if he was controlling the pace (Tszyu) but he seems to have lost that. When a fighter of Ricky's style starts losing steam it is time to worry.

The time may soon come when Hatton asks Witter for a title fight.
Now we are getting somewhere.... Not sure what the other Hatton "nuthuggers" are suggesting, but for me he only needs the Lazcano/Harris winner (especially if its in the states) and he IS there as an established and threatening world champion who should be on TV regardless of style. I'm sure Lazcano/Harris are good enough to make it a decent fight also - but that will be irrespective.

However, he also has Castillo as a possible next opponent (if Hatton does accomodate Ndou next) - again an ideal opportunity and then a potential Hatton vs Witter fight will be a unification and not just for Witter's WBC title.

Can you see where the problem with your statement is?

TV execs aren't going to give airtime to someone who they think is going to bore the audience, they simply aren't. Witters style is effective, but it isn't what you would call entertaining.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 09 Feb 2007, 09:15

In a way, we're all arguing over pennies - on the attractiveness of Witter next to Hatton's B-listers.

140 is a top 10 of who needs him club members. If Hatton doesn't want ugly ducklings why isn't he at welter...Cotto, Margarito, Judah, Mosley, Paul Williams.

Aren't Witter, Harris, N'dou, M'baye, Ben Rabah, Torres, Urango, Maussa ALL more trouble than they are worth?

In fairness, Hatton has been called out by Witter the top contender, and now Witter the world title holder and it looks bad.

You can't just squirm your way out of a serious challenge every time. Hatton is no longer the big shot he thinks he is and I have to say, based on the last 2 fight his own style is heinous. At least Witter throws clean punches - can we say the same of Rickay?

There could end up being an ugly twist of fate. If it so happens that Hatton ends up taking the fight, he may have left it way to late for a still fit (I don't question Jr's fitness, he's always been a fighter who wants to slow the pace) Witter, and get hammered.

Remember, Thaxton could have stopped him on cuts with any other ref/promoter, and Magee was this far from beating him (by KO, and on points).

Chesney_Chambers · Post by **Chesney_Chambers** » 09 Feb 2007, 09:51

Hatton doesn't seem too interested in appeasing the majority of British fans by taking on Witter, Urango, Collazo and to an extent Maussa were all chose with US fans in mind. Its very hypocritical considering his post-Tszyu speech to the fans.

I started off as a Hatton fan when I got back into boxing 7 years ago, but his refusal to prove he's the best in the UK by fighting Junior has left me questioning his character and his motives seem to be solely ££££££'s

I don't like writing stuff like this about Ricky, because he seems to be a top bloke, but this is how I feel

liamlion · Post by **liamlion** » 09 Feb 2007, 11:33

Chesney_Chambers wrote:Hatton doesn't seem too interested in appeasing the majority of British fans by taking on Witter, Urango, Collazo and to an extent Maussa were all chose with US fans in mind.

That simply isnt true. The sole reason that those lads were selected as Hatton opponents was that they happened to hold a genuine world-title - and Hatton was prepared to meet them.

Those three lads were no more of draw in the US than Witter.

chief · Post by **chief** » 09 Feb 2007, 11:39

I think the trouble with Junior is that he's talked too much and Ricky doesn't want to grant him the opportunity or the pay day.. I mean, if I won the lottery would I really feel like giving a slice of that money to the guy in my old office who'd consistently called my work was crap and enjoyed trying to wind me up?? Or would I just ignore him, wish him all the best and get on with doing my own thing??

A lot can be made of allegations of “ducking” but that implies that Ricky has never shared a ring with anyone of Junior’s calibre and that Junior has shown something in his recent career that makes him a serious credible threat, but I’m not sure that he has.. Posing, posturing, very low punch outputs and one stoppage in his last 5 wont have Ricky quacking in his boots.. Lets be honest, its not like Junior is the 2nd coming of George Foreman, knocking out high calibre champions and top level contenders inside 5 or 6 rounds.. He's going the distance against durable, well-drilled pros but is looking no more special or attractive than a lot of other fighters around the top tier of his division.

In his last two fights, Junior has had the opportunity to make a statement, first against a well respected American in Chop Chop and then on the Hatton PPV bill against a man brought in to be blown away.. As a Brit boxing fan you’re crying out for Junior to do something, show us where this danger comes from, where this threat is to Ricky and why US tele should demand this fight, but both times Junior hasn’t delivered in a style that makes you sit up and take notice..

Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see this fight happen but Junior needs to stop calling Ricky out and leave it to the paymasters to insist on this fight, to tell Ricky he has no avenue other than to face him, something he hasn’t as yet given them good enough reason to do.

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 09 Feb 2007, 11:53

chief wrote:I think the trouble with Junior is that he's talked too much and Ricky doesn't want to grant him the opportunity or the pay day.. I mean, if I won the lottery would I really feel like giving a slice of that money to the guy in my old office who'd consistently called my work was crap and enjoyed trying to wind me up?? Or would I just ignore him, wish him all the best and get on with doing my own thing??.

Witters simple answer to that 1 is WINNER TAKES ALL!!!!!!

liamlion · Post by **liamlion** » 09 Feb 2007, 11:58

Chief,

Do you really think that when Urango was selected as an opponent for Hatton, his last one or two performances were really decisive in getting him the fight? Did they bollocks, in Urango's last fight he was lucky to have been given the decision in an unspectatcular fight. The people who select Hatton's opponents (Including Hatton) looked no further than the name of Urango's belt. It was the same case when they selected Collazo and the very same when they selcted Maussa - simply as that!

Clearly it is not a pre-requisite for potential Hatton opponents to have performed spectacularly in their previous fights in order to secure a fight with Hatton. Why then should this be a pre-condition applied to Witter?

Fair enough Hatton doesnt want to fight Witter - but his camp and supporters should really stop giving excuses that simply dont have any substance!

chief · Post by **chief** » 09 Feb 2007, 12:09

Look man, this isn’t a game of cards or tiddly winks we’re talking about here, this is professional boxing where anything can happen.. Why should Ricky (or Junior for that matter) be in a situation where they go through a 12 week training camp, only to receive sweet FA because of for example, a clash of heads, DQ, dodgy decision, premature stoppage etc.. It’s also not simply a case of the winner walking away quids in, each fighter has a pay roll and people to shell out to for every fight, the loser doesn’t just walk away empty handed but is significantly out of pocket.. If Ricky were to lose for any particular reason, not only has he given Junior the pay day, he’s also well out of pocket for the privilege.. Put simply, it isn’t smart business no matter how confident you are.. Junior knows there’s no waaaay this will ever happen, it’s another example of him trying to fan the flames… You’d have to be 110% sure of a win in any activity to do a winner takes all for such stakes – Hell’ I’d have to think twice about a winner takes all 100m sprint with my nan and I train down the gym 4 times a week while she’s got arthritic knees!

chief · Post by **chief** » 09 Feb 2007, 12:13

Lion

My point is, it's not what other 140 lbers are doing that makes them suitable, it's what Junior is not doing that is allowing Ricky to get away with freezing him out... In other words, Junior needs to impress waaaay above his current level to stand out from a top tier of relatively mediocre names.

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 09 Feb 2007, 13:24

chief wrote:Look man, this isn’t a game of cards or tiddly winks we’re talking about here, this is professional boxing where anything can happen.. Why should Ricky (or Junior for that matter) be in a situation where they go through a 12 week training camp, only to receive sweet FA because of for example, a clash of heads, DQ, dodgy decision, premature stoppage etc.. It’s also not simply a case of the winner walking away quids in, each fighter has a pay roll and people to shell out to for every fight, the loser doesn’t just walk away empty handed but is significantly out of pocket.. If Ricky were to lose for any particular reason, not only has he given Junior the pay day, he’s also well out of pocket for the privilege.. Put simply, it isn’t smart business no matter how confident you are.. Junior knows there’s no waaaay this will ever happen, it’s another example of him trying to fan the flames… You’d have to be 110% sure of a win in any activity to do a winner takes all for such stakes – Hell’ I’d have to think twice about a winner takes all 100m sprint with my nan and I train down the gym 4 times a week while she’s got arthritic knees!

Simply put Hatton can put any contract together he wants to make this fight. But he wouldn't take the fight if he was guaranteed 100% of the purse regardless of if he won or lost.

Your right its about risk-reward - Witter is a huge risk - hes allot better than Collazo who many had beating Hatton. There is now a good reward for beating Witter - legacy, pride, rivalry, money and respect.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 09 Feb 2007, 13:28

What has Junior DONE to prove he is better than Collazo. He's beaten 3 fringe top tenners. If you think Urango isn't acceptable then neither is Corley, Ndou and Kotelnik.

A fight that Hatton is getting slated (and rightfully so) for not taking on is Witters best win.

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 09 Feb 2007, 13:37

stujones wrote:What has Junior DONE to prove he is better than Collazo. He's beaten 3 fringe top tenners. If you think Urango isn't acceptable then neither is Corley, Ndou and Kotelnik.

A fight that Hatton is getting slated (and rightfully so) for not taking on is Witters best win.

Witters top 3 wins are as good if not better than any of Collazos wins to date - who has Collazo actually beat? Rivera, a past it MAG. Witter is simply sharper, has better range, more explosive, better puncher, better boxing and coutnering skills and better footwork than Collazo. Collazos good no doubt I just see Witter as a better version.

Corley, Ndou and Kotelnik would all win comfortable UDs against Urango whos just too slow.

And given the chance Witter would fight A Class comp (he wanted Hatton/Mayweather), Hatton shys away from it - turning down about 10 top 10 opponents over the years including Mayweather, Cotto, Witter, Mitchell, Harris, Judah, Corley, Collazo2, Ukral.

liamlion · Post by **liamlion** » 09 Feb 2007, 14:03

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:
stujones wrote:What has Junior DONE to prove he is better than Collazo. He's beaten 3 fringe top tenners. If you think Urango isn't acceptable then neither is Corley, Ndou and Kotelnik.

A fight that Hatton is getting slated (and rightfully so) for not taking on is Witters best win.
Witters top 3 wins are as good if not better than any of Collazos wins to date - who has Collazo actually beat? Rivera, a past it MAG. Witter is simply sharper, has better range, more explosive, better puncher, better boxing and coutnering skills and better footwork than Collazo. Collazos good no doubt I just see Witter as a better version.

Corley, Ndou and Kotelnik would all win comfortable UDs against Urango whos just too slow.

And given the chance Witter would fight A Class comp (he wanted Hatton/Mayweather), Hatton shys away from it - turning down about 10 top 10 opponents over the years including Mayweather, Cotto, Witter, Mitchell, Harris, Judah, Corley, Collazo2, Ukral.

How the fuk does Hatton and his supporters even get away with questioning Witter's calibre of opponent, let alone attempting to use it as some sort of justification for ruling out a possible fight...

Can anyone please remind me what exactly did Hatton do to prove that he had 'earned the right' to fight Kosta Tszyu prior to their fight??? 15 defences of the WBU title and an IBF eliminator against Michael Stewart!!

Double standards??

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 09 Feb 2007, 14:12

liamlion wrote:
Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:
stujones wrote:What has Junior DONE to prove he is better than Collazo. He's beaten 3 fringe top tenners. If you think Urango isn't acceptable then neither is Corley, Ndou and Kotelnik.

A fight that Hatton is getting slated (and rightfully so) for not taking on is Witters best win.
Witters top 3 wins are as good if not better than any of Collazos wins to date - who has Collazo actually beat? Rivera, a past it MAG. Witter is simply sharper, has better range, more explosive, better puncher, better boxing and coutnering skills and better footwork than Collazo. Collazos good no doubt I just see Witter as a better version.

Corley, Ndou and Kotelnik would all win comfortable UDs against Urango whos just too slow.

And given the chance Witter would fight A Class comp (he wanted Hatton/Mayweather), Hatton shys away from it - turning down about 10 top 10 opponents over the years including Mayweather, Cotto, Witter, Mitchell, Harris, Judah, Corley, Collazo2, Ukral.
How the fuk does Hatton and his supporters even get away with questioning Witter's calibre of opponent, let alone attempting to use it as some sort of justification for ruling out a possible fight...

Can anyone please remind me what exactly did Hatton do to prove that he had 'earned the right' to fight Kosta Tszyu prior to their fight??? 15 defences of the WBU title and an IBF eliminator against Michael Stewart!!

Double standards??

This is a point I was thinking of the other day. Witter has fought far better opposition to date without getting a shot at the Linear Champ than Hatton had to get a shot a Tyszu. Hatton fought Tackie and Phillips who probably were only scraping the deep barrell of top20 at 140.

If Tyszu hadn't have given Hatton his shot and went straight into a Judah rematch Hatton would not be where he is today financially or legacy wise. Tyszu would face the top challengers despite been old though where as Hatton does not.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 09 Feb 2007, 16:25

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:
stujones wrote:What has Junior DONE to prove he is better than Collazo. He's beaten 3 fringe top tenners. If you think Urango isn't acceptable then neither is Corley, Ndou and Kotelnik.

A fight that Hatton is getting slated (and rightfully so) for not taking on is Witters best win.
Witters top 3 wins are as good if not better than any of Collazos wins to date - who has Collazo actually beat? Rivera, a past it MAG. Witter is simply sharper, has better range, more explosive, better puncher, better boxing and coutnering skills and better footwork than Collazo. Collazos good no doubt I just see Witter as a better version.

Corley, Ndou and Kotelnik would all win comfortable UDs against Urango whos just too slow.

And given the chance Witter would fight A Class comp (he wanted Hatton/Mayweather), Hatton shys away from it - turning down about 10 top 10 opponents over the years including Mayweather, Cotto, Witter, Mitchell, Harris, Judah, Corley, Collazo2, Ukral.

Hang on... I know its not you, but when I mentioned that Ndou was better than Urango (if Hatton fights Ndou next) the response from the Witter maniacs was "much of a muchness" and "styles makes fights" - now we are talking about the Witter fight with Ndou its "he'd win a comfortable UD".... which one is it?

Kotelnik is alright no doubt.... but it was a close fight with Witter. Some of your supporters are saying the Ndou and Urango would be close and I do disagree on the Corley vs Urango outcome - Corley did nothing vs Witter, showed no speed and no ambition. If he aint got that, he is going to struggle vs anybody.

Luis Collazo - (again PN I know its not you who said this) but Riveria is so shot we went on to win the WBA Light Middleweight title recently. Oh yeah, really shot. Miguel Angel Gonzalez is faded no doubt, but still Collazo was alot more convincing than Spinks in beating him (Spinks was the #1 at the time)... and he is undefeated since.

All what you said about Witters style is pure opinion, and one I disagree with.

I do feel sorry for Witter, and as I said any one of the names mentioned for his next fight are more than acceptable for him to join the "elite" league - but call outs mean nothing. Steve Collins called out Jones but priced himself out.... still does that mean Jones wanted none of it?

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 10 Feb 2007, 06:15

stujones wrote:What has Junior DONE to prove he is better than Collazo. He's beaten 3 fringe top tenners. If you think Urango isn't acceptable then neither is Corley, Ndou and Kotelnik.

A fight that Hatton is getting slated (and rightfully so) for not taking on is Witters best win.

Kotelnik is a legit top ten, with a win over Abdullaev, and an away from home SD 'loss' to M'Baye.

N'dou just spanked Ben Rabah, who in most eyes won 9 rounds versus Urango the gormless caveman.

I always felt Lovemore would do well with proper preparation. Ppl say he really beat Sharmbah, though I wouldn't know.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 10 Feb 2007, 06:27

He'd have proper preperation for sure vs Hatton, something he didn't have vs Witter.

Its not you, but when this Ndou vs Hatton match was brought up the general tone among the Witter fans was "much of muchness with Urango".

I would agree that Kotelnik is a top ten fighter - but then so was Ben Tackie in most rankings at the time of the Hatton fight.

Muhammad Abdulaev was no better than the run of wins Tackie had before the then #1 and #2 devision fought him.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 10 Feb 2007, 06:55

stujones wrote:He'd have proper preperation for sure vs Hatton, something he didn't have vs Witter.

Its not you, but when this Ndou vs Hatton match was brought up the general tone among the Witter fans was "much of muchness with Urango".

I would agree that Kotelnik is a top ten fighter - but then so was Ben Tackie in most rankings at the time of the Hatton fight.

Muhammad Abdulaev was no better than the run of wins Tackie had before the then #1 and #2 devision fought him.

Yes, he was late notice for Witter, Cotto, and Sharmbah. I felt Lovemore did some sterling work in the mid stages with Witter. Hard as nails and quite well schooled.

I'm pleased for him beating Rabah and it's another quality addition to 140, alongside Castillo and Ngoudjo.

Will be interesting what's going to happen. If Ricky keeps the IBF and fights N'dou, will Castillo fight Witter? If Hatton keeps the Castillo date, will there be a Witter-N'dou 2 unification down the line?

What a mess. But interestingly it will keep a lot of top 10 fighters taking each other on.

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 10 Feb 2007, 08:32

stujones wrote:
Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:
stujones wrote:What has Junior DONE to prove he is better than Collazo. He's beaten 3 fringe top tenners. If you think Urango isn't acceptable then neither is Corley, Ndou and Kotelnik.

A fight that Hatton is getting slated (and rightfully so) for not taking on is Witters best win.
Witters top 3 wins are as good if not better than any of Collazos wins to date - who has Collazo actually beat? Rivera, a past it MAG. Witter is simply sharper, has better range, more explosive, better puncher, better boxing and coutnering skills and better footwork than Collazo. Collazos good no doubt I just see Witter as a better version.

Corley, Ndou and Kotelnik would all win comfortable UDs against Urango whos just too slow.

And given the chance Witter would fight A Class comp (he wanted Hatton/Mayweather), Hatton shys away from it - turning down about 10 top 10 opponents over the years including Mayweather, Cotto, Witter, Mitchell, Harris, Judah, Corley, Collazo2, Ukral.
Hang on... I know its not you, but when I mentioned that Ndou was better than Urango (if Hatton fights Ndou next) the response from the Witter maniacs was "much of a muchness" and "styles makes fights" - now we are talking about the Witter fight with Ndou its "he'd win a comfortable UD".... which one is it?

Kotelnik is alright no doubt.... but it was a close fight with Witter. Some of your supporters are saying the Ndou and Urango would be close and I do disagree on the Corley vs Urango outcome - Corley did nothing vs Witter, showed no speed and no ambition. If he aint got that, he is going to struggle vs anybody.

Luis Collazo - (again PN I know its not you who said this) but Riveria is so shot we went on to win the WBA Light Middleweight title recently. Oh yeah, really shot. Miguel Angel Gonzalez is faded no doubt, but still Collazo was alot more convincing than Spinks in beating him (Spinks was the #1 at the time)... and he is undefeated since.

All what you said about Witters style is pure opinion, and one I disagree with.

I do feel sorry for Witter, and as I said any one of the names mentioned for his next fight are more than acceptable for him to join the "elite" league - but call outs mean nothing. Steve Collins called out Jones but priced himself out.... still does that mean Jones wanted none of it?

Well I don't speak for all Witter 'maniacs' only myself and I think Ndou would be a give Hatton a good fight and probably win a UD against Urango. It would be a synical choice of opponent by Hatton none the less, when he could fight Ndou conquerer Witter for a better belt.

I didnt say Rivera was shot, I said MAG was shot, Rivera beat poor opponents for both of his belts and has just been stopped by an unspectacular 35yo Simms

I agree if Witter prices himself out of big fights then he has no one to blame but himself. He'll probably be looking at 10-15% of the pie against Hatton and if he gets it he should jump on it. The fact is Hatton hasn't even made an off of say 5% because Witter may well jump at the chance.

It would be interesting if Hatton said 'come on then Junior if you want it you can have £100k I'm taking £3m you up for it or what?'. Witter probably deserves more than that but it would be interesting to se if he jumps on that or not.

Hatton says he doesn't want to give Witter the payday - 2 solutions to that. Offer Junior what he'd make against the likes of Corley/Morua or go for the winner takes all.

DG. · Post by **DG.** » 10 Feb 2007, 08:40

liamlion wrote:
m1kee50 wrote:Im fed up of it myself. He has only just emerged onto the world scene by beating another 'barely world class' fighter in 'chop-chop' corley (what sort of name is DaMarcus btw?), and all of a sudden he is calling out Hatton.
To be fair mate, thats utter bollocks. The truth is that Witter has been calling out Hatton for many, many years. In fact I can remember Witter face-to-face challenging Hatton, as Hatton gave a ringside interview to Sky immediately after beating Jon Thaxton for the British title...nearly 7 years ago!!

I remember that - Hatton was stuttering and looked shit scared of Witter

( and I have heard that he always looks scared when Witter is near him - Witter is a bit of a bad boy and Hatton is scared of the street mentality that Junior has inside him but does not show it due to age maturiity etc )

WITER AND HATTON SHOULD FIGHT.

Hatton is a bottler and if you read the Boxing Nws letters page from Friday you will see the cracks are showing - Hatton is a Bottler.

DG. · Post by **DG.** » 10 Feb 2007, 09:00

stujones wrote:

We are criticising Ndou / Urango style opponents, but Junior struggled vs Ndou - Ricky was FAR more convincing (yet getting slated) vs Urango than Junior was vs Ndou.

I personally think Castillo is a still a more difficult fight for Hatton than Witter. Witter has got a lot to prove - what he is doing now is kinda like Enzo Maccarinelli accusing O Neil Bell of ducking him.

I am shocked you think the above.

Junior Broke hs hand against N'dou - but was never hurt and holding is pissing himself in the corner and clinchin gevery 10 seconds ala Hatton Vs Urango.

I think most hatton fans are blinded to the fact that

1)HATTON FACES THE EASIEST OPTION EVERYTIME.

2) AVOIDED TAKING UP MAMDATORIES AGAINST LIVE FIGHTERS - CORLEY- COTTO AND DODGED EVERY DANGEROUS FIGHTER HE COULD HAVE FOUGHT.

3) BEATING AND WRESTLING AN OLD KT WAS A GOOD PERFORMANCE IN A WRESTKING SENSE BUT HE HAS DONE NOTHIN GSOINCE TO BACK UP HIS WORKS AND I QUOTE...

'LOOK INTO THESE EYES - I WANT THE BIG FIGHTS.

4) HOW MANY TIMES HAS HE TURNED DOWN MAYWEATHER?.

HATTON AND HIS SOUND BITES ' WONT BE A TICKLING CONTEST' YA YA YA - IS A PR MONKEY AT THE MOMENT.

5) CASTILLO VS HATTON - A SUPERFIGHT?.

6) PBF VERSUS CASTILLO WAS NOT A SUPERFIGH - JUST A GOOD FIGHT BUT THAT WAS WHEN CASTILLO WAS A SERIOUS SERIOUS FORCE!

Wake up to Hatton he is taking the piss.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 10 Feb 2007, 09:01

jamesmcdonnell wrote:
stujones wrote:
viciousmaussa wrote:Witter has an ugly style and certainly isn't for the purists. He also needs to do something about switching stances every few seconds because I can't see the purpose in it. However, he is awkwardly effective and hits hard. He beat a fired up N'dou - who just made Rabah quit... (who boxed Urango's ears off..) - despite losing all the middle rounds, scraped by a skilled Kotelnik and in truth he won most of the rds vs Corley.

If he gets by the Harris-Lazcano winner, and maybe Demetrius Hopkins, we can say for sure that he's a top level fighter regardless of what he looks like.
Hatton has ducked Witter and I think if Hatton looked vulnerable versus fine fighters Thaxton and Magee, he would look like shit against Witter. I also think Witter would beat him because he's kept himself in better nick and has more desire for the all British fight. Witter must visualise the fight all the time whereas all Hatton has to do is get someone to write a dismissive press release or make something up on the fly when a camera and mice is pointed at him.

Certainly Castillo is more important for Hatton globally. Castillo could end Hatton's run with those body shots. Hatton used to take a great shot if he was controlling the pace (Tszyu) but he seems to have lost that. When a fighter of Ricky's style starts losing steam it is time to worry.

The time may soon come when Hatton asks Witter for a title fight.
Now we are getting somewhere.... Not sure what the other Hatton "nuthuggers" are suggesting, but for me he only needs the Lazcano/Harris winner (especially if its in the states) and he IS there as an established and threatening world champion who should be on TV regardless of style. I'm sure Lazcano/Harris are good enough to make it a decent fight also - but that will be irrespective.

However, he also has Castillo as a possible next opponent (if Hatton does accomodate Ndou next) - again an ideal opportunity and then a potential Hatton vs Witter fight will be a unification and not just for Witter's WBC title.
Can you see where the problem with your statement is?

TV execs aren't going to give airtime to someone who they think is going to bore the audience, they simply aren't. Witters style is effective, but it isn't what you would call entertaining.

I agree, although I think there does come a time even in a dull fighters career that if he gets the scalps he will then become a "respected" fighter by the TV executives - never massive box office, but will get showcased as the "named" fighter.

Hopkins and Winky Wright are two examples I can think of - it came late but in the end the TV executives couldn't ignore them. They resume was so impressive, even if their style wasn't that they couldn't get ignored. Is Lazcano / Harris "good" enough for TV executives to stop ignoring Witter - I think if it is hyped enough and got good air time (even if its Lazcano/Harris being the showcased fighter) then yes it is.

DG. · Post by **DG.** » 10 Feb 2007, 09:32

Fwank Warren is mainly tpo blame for the situation Witter was in fr years.

After the Judah fight and when Hatton and Witter was possible - FWANK gave Witter fiughts he KNEW would nt appeal to the states - having said that - Hattons opponents were getting £50k to fight and Hatton getting £500k and i am sure WITTER would have taken the £50k for th chance to beat Hatton.

At one satge thought Witter would batter hatton then t swung bacl to hattonn beating Witter - but now Witter tears Hatto a new one and Hatton knows ot.

PR MONKEY - HATTON.

I also guarantee he willnot get any TV work once he finishes - he is cliched and would not make a good commentator and SKY will not want a 15st 5ft 6 ex fighter on the screedn.

Parents and Kids will think to themselves 'if this is what happens once you stop trainiing - fornicate that - I am taking up and/or watching football'..

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 10 Feb 2007, 11:57

Come on DG - Castillo not a serious force?

A win and a draw vs the outstanding Stevie Johnston. A left uppercut that lifted Cesar Bazan off his feet and make him do a backward roll en route to a brutal TKO win. Taking Mayweather closer to defeat than anyone - incl G Hernandez, C Hernandez, J Chavez, Judah, Corrales - and a magnificent run schooling Juan Lazcano, battering Julio Diaz and catching up with Casamayor, that would have extended had Corrales not spat his gumshield out. Ngoudjo may go on to have a good career - this may e a win that looks better in retrospect.

That said, Hatton should fight Witter next year, whether Ricky is still champ or not. He won't do unless someone beats him and needs a way back to a title, then maybe he would fight Witter.