Why does Hatton hate Witter so much??

[ciscokid]

I keep hearing how much of a nice bloke Hatton is, but after reading the text below - what make such a nice guy say such spiteful words?

He ruled out an all-British showdown with Bradford's Junior Witter, the WBC champion, whom he clearly loathes, saying: "I'm enjoying seeing him squirm, fighting nobodies for no money."

[m1kee50]

I keep hearing how much of a nice bloke Hatton is, but after reading the text below - what make such a nice guy say such spiteful words?

He ruled out an all-British showdown with Bradford's Junior Witter, the WBC champion, whom he clearly loathes, saying: "I'm enjoying seeing him squirm, fighting nobodies for no money."

Possibly becasue Witter 'imagines' that Hatton needs to fight a boring, plodding, nobody who cant sell a ticket. The Belt is a moot point.

[Max Molyneux]

Hatton said Witter had to win a world title and Witter won one. Hatton said this before he was a world class fighter too!

Witter was In Hatton's contract them somehow got out of It.

Witter can't afford to turn down these nobodies who were decent unlike Hatton.

[THEBUTCH]

Witter has shown a lack of class towards Ricky in past and it obviously still bothers Hatton to the extent where he doesn't want Witter getting a good payday out of him.

This one could go back and forth all day long, but who could forget Brendon Ingle shoving Witter forward to intrude Ricky's post interview moments after winning the British title ?!

This has to be a wonderful moment for any young professional and for someone to gatecrash such an occasion is not going to be win you many friends.

[Chambers2]

Hattons 7 year avoidance of Junior Witter is inexcusable!!!!!

Witter is a nightmare to fight and Ricky has used every excuse in the book (and more) not to fight him

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

Because Witter embarassed him and hurt his pride and he isn't sure he can shut him up in the ring. He doesn't seem to have a problem with Mayweathers trash talk

Put simply Hatton is vindictive when he comes to Witter and if he was sure he'd beat him he would have fought him and ko'd him to shut him up LONG AGO.

Hatton fans can say what they want about it being an easy fight, Ricky Hatton simply doesn't agree with his fans when it comes to that fight.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I always got the impression that the whole idea of calling Hatton out was the Ingles' and not Witters. Brendan Ingle has been absolutely beside himself for years about how Warren never gave Witter the chances he gave Hatton.

This is true, but the reason is, Witter wasn't a ticket seller.

When Witter had his press conference for this fight with Corley, he came across as someone who is essentially pretty quiet, and not that comfortable with being interviewed, and didn't give the impression he particularly enjoyed badmouthing Hatton.


Witter and his camp remind me a bit of a bloke who dosses at home all day watching Telly who has been out of work for years, but complains endlessly about immigrants coming in and stealing his work, then going to the job centre and refusing to do the job because it's beneath him.

Strange analogy? What I mean, is Witter is Jealous of Hatton's profile and opportunities, but fails to recognise that Hatton got their on merit by entertaining and by producing big compelling performances at the right times. Even his more difficult fights weren't borefests, the likes of Thaxton and Magee gave him big trouble, but he overcame those tests, as he did agaisnt Tackie, Tszyu and now Castillo.

I think the Ingles are very good trainers, but I don't think they've played their hand well. They've got Hatton's back up, to the point where he would rather die than give Junior a payday. The badmouthing and bragging has had the reverse effect to what they must have hoped.

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

I think the Ingles are very good trainers, but I don't think they've played their hand well. They've got Hatton's back up, to the point where he would rather die than give Junior a payday. The badmouthing and bragging has had the reverse effect to what they must have hoped.

Yes but the payday is another excuse, it used to be - Witter needs to establish himself, Ricky has bigger fights, Witter needs to beat a top10 ranked contender, Witter needs to win a world title, Witters isn't world level.

Now its - I won't give Witter a payday. Its avoidance and Ricky is probably scared of losing to his biggest rival

I think if Witter did beat Hatton, he'd be respectful in victory. But Hatton would rather lose to anyone else other than Witter. Losing to Witter would simply break Hatton as a man

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

I always got the impression that the whole idea of calling Hatton out was the Ingles' and not Witters. Brendan Ingle has been absolutely beside himself for years about how Warren never gave Witter the chances he gave Hatton. .

I think this is true, it hasn't done Witter too much harm though because Hatton wouldn't have faced him anyway most likely

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

Witter and his camp remind me a bit of a bloke who dosses at home all day watching Telly who has been out of work for years, but complains endlessly about immigrants coming in and stealing his work, then going to the job centre and refusing to do the job because it's beneath him.

.

I don't agree with the analogy because Witter will take fights when they come his way they simply just do not come his way.

Witter would be happy to fight any big names and get exposure they just avoid him

[Loynesy]

I just think "avoid" needs to be put into the right context. He is avoided because he brings no cash to the table.

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

I just think "avoid" needs to be put into the right context. He is avoided because he brings no cash to the table.

Where as Urango, Maussa, Vilches, Stewart and Collazo all brought about 500k worth of PPVs to the table didn't they? Oh no thats right no one knows who they are and they don't sell tickets

[states]

If Hatton wanted to put Witter in his place, he had two options: 1, fight him and shut him up. I'd have preferred this, to be honest. 2, just ignore him, and let him realise how little he matters in the boxing world.

Obviously, Hatton chose the second option. And, I must say, if it's pissing Witter off as much as it his his fans, it's a pretty inspired strategy.

I just wish Hatton would take the fight. Not so much because I want to see it (although I obviously do), but because I'm sick of the whole tired saga.

[Chambers2]

I just think "avoid" needs to be put into the right context. He is avoided because he brings no cash to the table.

He surely brought as much money to the table as Urango, Maussa, Collazo, Oliveira, Stewart, Vilches, Pedersen etcetra etcetra etcetra.

There is no doubting that he has avoided Witter for nigh on a decade. Hatton and Witter have been the best 2 140 lbers in Britain by a country mile since about 2000 and the only reason the fight hasn't happened is because of Hatton.

I like Hatton as a fighter and a person, but his refusal to fight Witter significantly reduces my opinion of him. Hatton doesn't like the match-up stylistically and has come up with a multitude of excuses.

The Hatton-Witter situation winds mke up more than any other in boxing

[Chambers2]

If Hatton wanted to put Witter in his place, he had two options: 1, fight him and shut him up. I'd have preferred this, to be honest. 2, just ignore him, and let him realise how little he matters in the boxing world.

Obviously, Hatton chose the second option. And, I must say, if it's pissing Witter off as much as it his his fans, it's a pretty inspired strategy.

I just wish Hatton would take the fight. Not so much because I want to see it (although I obviously do), but because I'm sick of the whole tired saga.

Avoiding the top British fighter at his weight is an inspired strategy.....you should take up promoting

[states]

I don't think Loynesy was being specific about Hatton, rather responding to PN's point about how everybody supposedly avoids Witter.

[states]

If Hatton wanted to put Witter in his place, he had two options: 1, fight him and shut him up. I'd have preferred this, to be honest. 2, just ignore him, and let him realise how little he matters in the boxing world.

Obviously, Hatton chose the second option. And, I must say, if it's pissing Witter off as much as it his his fans, it's a pretty inspired strategy.

I just wish Hatton would take the fight. Not so much because I want to see it (although I obviously do), but because I'm sick of the whole tired saga.

Avoiding the top British fighter at his weight is an inspired strategy.....you should take up promoting

Did I say I agreed with it? No, I said I'd have preferred Hatton to fight him and put this to bed.

[stujones]

Well, Hatton is the undisputed World champion and still seems to get very little respect from Witter.

I think in the early days it would get up Hatton's nose and I personally think he wanted Witter then because he hadn't proven himself and what Witter was saying (in terms of Hatton's ability) could have been correct. Hatton definately did, IMO want to shut his mouth.

However, as Hatton proved himself - I think he would have liked to have read a "Well done Ricky, your a top fight ALTHOUGH stylewise I think I can beat you" instead of what I have read which hasn't even said well done to him.

Now Ricky is thinking "I've proved you wrong another way, I don't need you to make a coin out of me".

Ricky has always been respectful of Witter's ability, but its his marketing/personality he hasn't liked. He has said in the past "He's talented, but a no-name".

[Loynesy]

I don't think Loynesy was being specific about Hatton, rather responding to PN's point about how everybody supposedly avoids Witter.

Correct.

[jimmy the gent]

Rick Hatton is a great fighter and one of my favourites. If he thought witter, i would want him to win. Now that i clearred that up. I think hatton is wrong to say that witter is not a marketable fighter. Maybe this is true of him on his own but against hatton this would be a massive fight that every boxing fan in Briitain would love to see. It would be massive. Also i dont think its about money for witter as hes been calling out hatton since before the thaxton fite. I just think witters pissed that he isnt getting any attention, and hattons a superstar, but in witters eyes (and in a way rightly so) hatton hasnt proven to be the best in Britain. I dont like the fact that hatton is saying witter just wants to get a pay day off of his back, and that he wants to see him squirm. That imo is a bit unfair, hatton should know how hard the sport of boxing is to make real money. So if the fight is the right fight, and its what the fans want to see, witter making money shouldn't come into it.He should be happy to help a brother out. Even if he dont like witter, he still deserves at least one decent payday before he retires. Hes a wbc world title holder for cryiing out loud.

By the way great body shot the other night.

[Manos de Oro]

If there are any fans left of British boxing as an entity and not the Ricky Hatton brand (which a lot of well-meaning souls seem to have slipped into unwittingly), ask yourself which of the following gives 'big fight' excitement:

Malignaggi? Harris? Another blown-up lightweight? Castillo again? Kotelnik? Witter?

To be honest none of them stir in me excitement of the 'big fight'. Have not felt that since the Tsyzu fight and will not until - if - he takes on another top class opponent. Please please take the blinkers off for a second and see an unbiased call for Witter next - for the sole reason it gives the edge of a grudge match, which is the next best thing to the excitement of a true big fight.

To be honest, that you can't have an opinion on this without being polarized or your comment treated as flammable tells its own story.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Witter and his camp remind me a bit of a bloke who dosses at home all day watching Telly who has been out of work for years, but complains endlessly about immigrants coming in and stealing his work, then going to the job centre and refusing to do the job because it's beneath him.

.

I don't agree with the analogy because Witter will take fights when they come his way they simply just do not come his way.

Witter would be happy to fight any big names and get exposure they just avoid him

It's not a great analogy on my part, what I mean is, that Witter (or i think maybe more so the Ingles), are resentful of Hatton's success. However, I think by constantly barracking Hatton and calling him out, they have become distracted from the fact that in order to become a big name in boxing, you have to look impressive in the ring, and really, Witter has never performed exceptionally on the big stage by totally dominating his opponents.

The fight against Corley and Morua were missed opportunities to really make a statement, but I guess that is just Jr's style.

I wish Junior luck, but I think he needs to just go and try and make a name for himself some other way, he hasn't got long to do so now at his age, and wasting any more time on Hatton would be a mistake in my opinion.

[twenty six]

I am lucky to know a few boxers from Wincobank, past and present and I have posted about this long drawn out sage on various boards.
There's no getting away from it - Ricky has avoided him.
It doesn't matter whether he's respectful or not, brings cash to the table etc, fact is domestically he was / is his nearest challenger, and at Ricky's request there was a clause in Ricky's contract saying the fight had to be made.
It never was.
As for respect, calling him lord of the dance wasn't exactly respectful but who gives a toss ? Certainly not Junior.
On the other side of the coin, yes Junior is an acquired taste. Contrary to popular belief I think he's shy under that facade.
Of all the time I've spent watching the lads train he was the one I never really got to know.
Seriously if you had the undoubted talent that Ricky possesses you would deal with an irritation like Junior where it counts in the ring. Money etc should be irrelevent, but believe me, there's good money to be made from this fight if marketed properly.
The only conclusion is that Ricky knows he could / would cause him serious problems. That's not to say Junior would win, but as they say, styles make fights, and Junior can dig.
Here endeth the 4 millionth lesson, because it will never happen.

[Shirow]

No matter the reason Hatton refuses to meet Witter, Ricky is the star of the division and as things stand will have final say on them ever meeting.

That's why rather than stinking out the sparsley attended venues he's been sporadically fighting in he should have re-marketed himself and head Ricky off at the pass; by doing whatever was necessary (read taking small purses) to get to the opponents Ricky might want and beating them first in a fan friendly fashion.
I thought i remembered his name being mentioned as a Gatti opponent once didn't i? The N'dou fight suggested to me that he might have been turning a corner and putting in exciting performances but no and i think his time has passed. Lord knows Johnny Nelson managed to turn himself into a commodity from a much worse place, i wonder if he ever gave him any advice.

[fist]

Seriously if you had the undoubted talent that Ricky possesses you would deal with an irritation like Junior where it counts in the ring.

Hmm obviously not - Hatton's proved himself and is simply intent on fighting top names. In light of the fact that he doesn't need Witter, he is welcome to deal with this percieved irritatatin by preventing him from the payday that Hatton would bring. Don't blame him really. Witter's best bet would be to make his own impression on the world scene and force Hattin into a position. But as it stands, thats not the case.