Junior Witter-Kelson Pinto fight confirmed

[Goz]

Oh I think it could be done, Hatton reguarly fills MEN Arena, which holds around 16,000 I think, or something like that.

Ok perhaps they couldn't fill it, but they could still get a bloody huge crown, it's a kind of local derby.

I would also guess that shoving Calzaghe-Reid 2 on the same card would ensure the capacity or seriously bump the crowd up.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Why test Hatton against Witter, when there are so many other fighters out there, that way, one of them has to lose, and one of their careers suffer.

Hatton has a pretty good following in the states (according to Jay Larkin who told me this), and is on the cusp of the big leagues, a win against Tackie will propel him into a fight with a top 5 guy next year.

Witter is ranked by the WBO, and if he can impress in this performance
will get his mandatory against Judah, if he doesn't he may be cheated out of it by the WBO, or Judah may look to ditch it and go elsewhere, who knows. As we all know being #1 contender is no guarantee of a title shot.

Witter v Judah II is a fight which may never happen though, Showtime are very nervous about a repeat performance. Whilst I understand that Witter was a late sub, he was in a world title fight being shown to millions of PPV'ers, and with this in mind, his performance was pretty foolish. He'd have been better off getting knocked out in a brave losing effort than what he did that night. I understand why he did what he did, but it was career suicide.

I am a fan as well, I'm a fan first, journalist second, I would like to see Witter face off against Hatton, especially as I think Hatton would beat him relatively easily. I am just realistic about when this will happen.

[Dutch Windmill]

Blue I always wonder what opponent for Hatton you would call credible?

[Guest]

Oh I think it could be done, Hatton reguarly fills MEN Arena, which holds around 16,000 I think, or something like that.

Ok perhaps they couldn't fill it, but they could still get a bloody huge crown, it's a kind of local derby.

I would also guess that shoving Calzaghe-Reid 2 on the same card would ensure the capacity or seriously bump the crowd up.

Pigs might fly sadly, Goz. I get bored of Witter speak so I feel for the rest of you. We go round in circles about his ability, the Judah debacle blah blah. We'll finally get some answers when he fights Pinto, however. Although I desperately wanted to see Hatton V Witter, I can see why Warren was reluctant to risk Hatton as he'd receive precious little props by beating a guy the Yanks don't rate.

What I cannot tolerate though is Warren stating that he would make the fight only to banish it onto the backburner. The argument that Sports Network require Showtime in order to stage the fight doesn't wash with me. The fight is contracted to happen irrespective of whether Showtime wish to screen it or not. I seriously doubt there is any more money in the pot regardless of whether Jay Larkin wishes to get his paws involved, in my humble opinion. Don't buy the bullshit.

Witter has done everything asked of him post Judah. He's knocked everyone out, predictably yes, but boring and dull certainly not. Warren has largely failed to deliver a suitable opponent for Witter to earn some much needed credability. He failed to secure Witter a shot at DeMarcus Corley in Glasgow or Michal Kirvolpov who lost to Hatton. Also Witter readily agreed to fight Sharmba Mitchell (before he took on Carlos Vilches) but Team Mitchell figured there was easier assignments.

Where Witter has slipped up, I feel, is by not demanding a fight with Eamonn Magee. There was talk of Witter-Magee fighting in April. Clearly Magee's camp wanted the fight but it was never made. Witter seemed more than happy to fight him but I am certain was of the opinion that he was next in line to fight Hatton in July. His team therefore probably came to the conclusion that a Magee fight wasn't worth the risk with the Hatton fight around the corner.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing because we all know what happened since. Magee is a credible, fringe world opponent who almost burst Hatton's bubble. The Yanks would not call him a bum. If Witter had managed to beat Magee, and impressively at that, his stock would have duly risen. The clamour for him to fight Hatton would have been deafening in Britain and now considered understandable Stateside.

People who think Witter is ducking Magee are delusional though. Obviously Mike Kelly from the Belfast Telegraph wrote a pack of lies that they were set to meet in December. Few would begrudge Witter for fighting Pinto for the WBO interim title I'm sure. Win or lose against Pinto though, I think Witter would be well advised to take up Magee's challenge in his next fight. It makes a lot of sense.

Fingers crossed he gets by Pinto. I think he's in for a difficult night. I'm told Pinto is a banger, but not a conventional one in the sense that he comes wading forward. Instead he prefers to box. That won't suit Witter whatsoever.

[REAL_DEAL]

good post,

ben are you going to the fight

[stujones]

I agree with James' posts here, Hatton vs Witter will happen, its a natural - however, lets all be patient I think happen when one or both have won a major world title (and I'm calling the WBO major in this instance).

God knows what Judah's plans are, Witter might be awarded the belt proper soon after this fight (should he win).

[Blue]

Dutch Windmill Posted: 14 Nov 2003 10:19
Blue I always wonder what opponent for Hatton you would call credible?

At the risk of U being waggish & fragmenting this thread I will answer U.

IMO,
There are 7 top level world class fighters who have proven themselves in defining fights.
Tszyu, Judah, Mitchell, Harris, Gatti, Leija & Corley.

There are 5 second level fighters who have beaten stepping stones, club fighters & journeymen,
yet have flunked their test at the top so far. These are Urkal, Mbaye, Witter, Weiss & Tackie.

The following 5 are top prospects who also have yet to take the big test.
Cotto, Pinto, Branco, Maussa & Diaz.
Hatton is in this category.

I personally would also include Abulaev.
His lone loss I consider an aberration, he was easily wining the fight and needs to learn how to count in English.

All these fighters are credible.
I did not include Spadafora because it doesn’t look like he will be fighting anytime soon.

[bennie]

Dutch Windmill Posted: 14 Nov 2003 10:19
Blue I always wonder what opponent for Hatton you would call credible?

At the risk of U being waggish & fragmenting this thread I will answer U.

IMO,
There are 7 top level world class fighters who have proven themselves in defining fights.
Tszyu, Judah, Mitchell, Harris, Gatti, Leija & Corley.

There are 5 second level fighters who have beaten stepping stones, club fighters & journeymen,
yet have flunked their test at the top so far. These are Urkal, Mbaye, Witter, Weiss & Tackie.

The following 5 are top prospects who also have yet to take the big test.
Cotto, Pinto, Branco, Maussa & Diaz.
Hatton is in this category.

I personally would also include Abulaev.
His lone loss I consider an aberration, he was easily wining the fight and needs to learn how to count in English.

All these fighters are credible.
I did not include Spadafora because it doesn’t look like he will be fighting anytime soon.

Now, that's what I call a good answer.