Junior Witter/Devon Alexander

[TheCobra]

Not surprised to come on here today and see this, Witter has always seemed to fail when he really needs a result, the elbow injury is a nice excuse to quit. I think it;s time for him to wrap it up tbh, long periods of inactivty and his age now work massively against him, his time has come and gone.

It's a shame because I think if he'd just been a more positive fighter and personality then the fight fans could have warmed to him, he had good power but his style was horrible and he didn;t like working in his prime so god knows what he's gona be like at age 35.

Hatton was popular for his style of fighting, have we ever seen Hatton quit, nope, he went out on his shield, Witter has a career of some success but then excuses at key times for key losses. He's just ran out of excuses.

[Horse]

I would like to see Witter continue and give a fighter like McCloskey a chance to get a good name on his record.

[WayoftheCass]

During the latter part of thetimescale posted by lirva, the Hatton-Witter fight was big enough to take place. I went to many Hatton fights around the time including Tackie and Vilches and remember wondering "Why aren't we watching Witter in there instead?"

There was no titles at stake at that point. I don't remember anyone calling for that fight. Witter only started shouting out Hatton after he won the world title and there was serious money to be made.

Thats totally incorrect.

I think youll find that the most memorable time Witter called out Hatton was immediately after Hatton won the British Title against Jon Thaxton. This was years before Hatton even got near the world title

Think we already covered that dude!

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

Whats even funnier is that I'm sure Witter said at the time that he would have beaten that Kostra Tzuyu in 5 rounds or something. Course you would have

Hatton should in all honesty have fought him but when assesing the Hitman's career I dont think the absence of Witter is going to be that much of a big deal

Philips, Magee, Tackie, Urango, Malignani, Collazo, Thaxton, Tzuyu.

How any of the above mentiooned would Witter be sure to beat/have beaten at the time?

The only 1s Witter wouldnt beat in his prime would be Tyszu and Collazo and he has a shot against them. Witter is a B Class fighter without a great heart or technical punching ability but he still probably had the style to give Hatton fits in his prime. He wasn't prime last night BUT he showed he just isn't good enough regardless, he punches too wide and doesn't have the heart to go to war. He never even mastered a decent 1-2 for all of his flair.

The crazy/worst thing about last nights disgraceful quitage is, I thought WItter was level pegging in the rounds I saw (4-8), although I only watched it on a stream. The ref and judges were clearly against him and the warning him about the holding so much was bias as were the scorecards

When it comes to Witter and Hatton, 1 things for certain, we need to teach are boxers to stop punching so wide in this country and teach them how to box

[overhand_right]

Would it be totally classless of me to say I TOLD YOU SO! I TOLD YOU SO!

A hungry young undefeated yank was always going to be a nightmare for the ordinary Witter. I don't believe he is past it, for christsakes the guy simply was never any good. Too many horrible fights againts hand picked opponents. Anyone who mentions Harris needs to look at the DVD of Harris getting whacked by Carlos frickin Maussa. The guy was finished.

I doubt anyone will ever televise this stinky horrible laughable boxer ever again. What a fitting way he went out. Meh.

[alexpaterson]

Got to admit I thought Witter would win as Alexander hadnt fought anybody in Witters league but the hunger of Alexander was to much for Witter who im shocked quit

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

Would it be totally classless of me to say I TOLD YOU SO! I TOLD YOU SO!

A hungry young undefeated yank was always going to be a nightmare for the ordinary Witter. I don't believe he is past it, for christsakes the guy simply was never any good. Too many horrible fights againts hand picked opponents. Anyone who mentions Harris needs to look at the DVD of Harris getting whacked by Carlos frickin Maussa. The guy was finished.

I doubt anyone will ever televise this stinky horrible laughable boxer ever again. What a fitting way he went out. Meh.

Yes you are being classless and biased, but you are right in that he was never 'that good', he always punched too wide and never had a warrior in him and thats his real downfall at world level and always would have been but he certainly is past his prime as a 35yo. However Harris, Ndou, Kotelnik, Corley are/were very good wins and Witter will be able to say what most can't including Hatton 'I was a WBC Champion'. For your informations Harris was overtrained and underperformed against Maussa, he had shown before/since he is a better fighter than that

[overhand_right]

I really don't think any of those are good wins. Harris was destroyed by Maussa already & Witter did the same in his next big fight. Corley was washed up & has lost a string of fights since, he scraped by Kotelnik who Amir beat easily of all people... Witter was just never any good and only had a belt due to machinations of the modern game.

[Autobarn]

of course they were good wins. on the other hand that style can horribly cock up and i think a lot of ppl use it because they don't want to get stuck in, don't want to get hit. witter won a WBC title, met some tough opponents though only really dominated one of them. witter can't be the fighter he once was, with his reflex dependent style, and the fact that he'd probably peaked when he was holding the Commonwealth and European titles.

i think the n'du win said it all about witter. he battered an iron chinned fighter for a few rounds, dropping him like a yo-yo. then witter hurts his hand, gasses, falls over at the end after throwing a desperation punch and escapes with victory. the raw talent is there but something is missing.

you have to like the look of kell brook who switches far more sensibly, keeps his chin tucked down and has a much more compact style. a lot of the naz stylists out there look like they're asking for an appoinment with the guillotine.

[Autobarn]

I really don't think any of those are good wins. Harris was destroyed by Maussa already & Witter did the same in his next big fight. Corley was washed up & has lost a string of fights since, he scraped by Kotelnik who Amir beat easily of all people... Witter was just never any good and only had a belt due to machinations of the modern game.

if you want to be negative, fine. but there are other sides to look at it. harris pulled himself together and beat a top 10 light welter, lazcano - harris got through that fight without getting destroyed. corley had briefly stung mayweather and seriously wobbled cotto - witter-corley was shit, but witter won easily enough and didn't get hurt. witter's first defence - morua - came vs a man who had beaten maussa and cosme rivera (the man who lost on a robbery to joel julio & nearly KO'd berto). witter won a squeaker v kotelnik, a world class fighter, in a EUROPEAN title fight: another unvonvincing performance, true, but a win all the same. n'dou like most of witter's opponents is patchy, but many felt he beat quality sharmbah mitchell. kotelnik lost disappointingly to khan, but also beat that maidana guy who impressed the americans making "next golden boy" victor ortiz quit.

witter's opponents did have form, but witter's style is so horrible & disjointed, his fighting instincts seem iffy and he seems to cave in and become extremely negative whenever anything goes wrong. i suppose just another champ during avery ugly time for light welters, with bland charisma deficient americans, ugly brits (hatton, witter) that make for ugly fights...witter achieved at world level, so he deserves credit for that. but it's no wonder he lacks for fans.

[DG.]

I am really suprised that Witter has not got more stick for quitting in that fashion whereas Hatton got slaughtered for losing to Pacquaio

nearly everyones in hiding this morning i notice.

come out come out wherever u are.

Not seen the fight, but heard Witteer was crap and damaged his arm ealry?

Alexander is not that good from what I have seen of him!

Khan Vs Witter me thinks!

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

I really don't think any of those are good wins. Harris was destroyed by Maussa already & Witter did the same in his next big fight. Corley was washed up & has lost a string of fights since, he scraped by Kotelnik who Amir beat easily of all people... Witter was just never any good and only had a belt due to machinations of the modern game.

if you want to be negative, fine. but there are other sides to look at it. harris pulled himself together and beat a top 10 light welter, lazcano - harris got through that fight without getting destroyed. corley had briefly stung mayweather and seriously wobbled cotto - witter-corley was poop, but witter won easily enough and didn't get hurt. witter's first defence - morua - came vs a man who had beaten maussa and cosme rivera (the man who lost on a robbery to joel julio & nearly KO'd berto). witter won a squeaker v kotelnik, a world class fighter, in a EUROPEAN title fight: another unvonvincing performance, true, but a win all the same. n'dou like most of witter's opponents is patchy, but many felt he beat quality sharmbah mitchell. kotelnik lost disappointingly to khan, but also beat that maidana guy who impressed the americans making "next golden boy" victor ortiz quit.

witter's opponents did have form, but witter's style is so horrible & disjointed, his fighting instincts seem iffy and he seems to cave in and become extremely negative whenever anything goes wrong. i suppose just another champ during avery ugly time for light welters, with bland charisma deficient americans, ugly brits (hatton, witter) that make for ugly fights...witter achieved at world level, so he deserves credit for that. but it's no wonder he lacks for fans.

Well said Auto, the only thing I'd disagree on is Witter's style, its not bad as a whole its just his punches that are so wide that a world class boxer just steps off when he sees 1 coming. I think in defense of Junior his lateral movement and shot slipping is superb and Alexander and Bradley had a tough time landing

[DIRT SUGAR]

I'd never berate a fighter for pulling out of a fight if he's injured but I can't help it and have to say how Witter now looks a prize plonker. For all his talk about winning back the belt and crushing Amir Khan in 3 rounds he puts in a shocking performance where he was bullied about and made to look all his 35 years. Great talking the talk but if you're goin' to do that you better walk the walk and again, Witter has flopped. Off you go now Junior, time to find another job. New series of Strictly Come Dancing is on soon isn't it. You can use yer footwork without getting punched.

[lurkyshaka]

mate are you not reading what I wrote? Hatton wanted no part of Witter. That's just 4 years worth of excuses I posted there. He has AMPLE time to fight Witter and it would have been a BIG fight on these shores if it had of came off. You must not have been around and heard the buzz for the fight at that time. If Witter stayed with Warren the fight clearly wouldn't have happened BECAUSE OF HATTON. Hatton could have forced the fight, look at Khan, Warren aint holding him back is he? Khan even offered Witter a fight.

You are not thinking logically. You are making excuses for Hatton in the face of cold hard facts. He avoided Witter and it was ALL HIM. Accept it, most fans have.

Mate are you not reading what i wrote?? Hatton himself demanded it written into his contract with Warren that he must face Witter because he was sick of Junior's goading. How is that him not wanting the fight? At that point he definitely did. Junior then left Warren and the fight died.

After that Hatton was always on a much higher financial level then Witter and the fight never happened because Hatton was fighting the likes of Mayweather whilst Witter was picking up vacant straps.

At that point i think it clear Hatton just never wanted to give Witter a payday. Although after Junior blasted Harris i think the fight was moving closer....but then Junior went and lost to Bradley and scuppered it.

The only real time it looked atall possible for the money it was imo worth, was around the time Hatton was being lined upto face Malignaggi, but HBO who were paying the wages wanted Paulie and not Witter. For whatever reason then weren't interested in Hatton/Witter.

Frankly speaking if Hatton went in happily with the likes of Mayweather in Vegas, then i find it obscene for anyone to seriously think he was scared of Witter.

[lurkyshaka]

During the latter part of thetimescale posted by lirva, the Hatton-Witter fight was big enough to take place. I went to many Hatton fights around the time including Tackie and Vilches and remember wondering "Why aren't we watching Witter in there instead?"

There was no titles at stake at that point. I don't remember anyone calling for that fight. Witter only started shouting out Hatton after he won the world title and there was serious money to be made.

Thats totally incorrect.

I think youll find that the most memorable time Witter called out Hatton was immediately after Hatton won the British Title against Jon Thaxton. This was years before Hatton even got near the world title

And also years before the fight was worth anything. This is a business. And for that reason Hatton/Witter was never going to happen for simply a British belt. Warren wanted to build the fight into a real battle of Britain for major world honours. He wasn't going to allow it to happen for relative peanuts at British level, and risk eliminating either one of his fighters, who were both genuine contenders to lift world titles.

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

mate are you not reading what I wrote? Hatton wanted no part of Witter. That's just 4 years worth of excuses I posted there. He has AMPLE time to fight Witter and it would have been a BIG fight on these shores if it had of came off. You must not have been around and heard the buzz for the fight at that time. If Witter stayed with Warren the fight clearly wouldn't have happened BECAUSE OF HATTON. Hatton could have forced the fight, look at Khan, Warren aint holding him back is he? Khan even offered Witter a fight.

You are not thinking logically. You are making excuses for Hatton in the face of cold hard facts. He avoided Witter and it was ALL HIM. Accept it, most fans have.

Mate are you not reading what i wrote?? Hatton himself demanded it written into his contract with Warren that he must face Witter because he was sick of Junior's goading. How is that him not wanting the fight? At that point he definitely did. Junior then left Warren and the fight died.

After that Hatton was always on a much higher financial level then Witter and the fight never happened because Hatton was fighting the likes of Mayweather whilst Witter was picking up vacant straps.

At that point i think it clear Hatton just never wanted to give Witter a payday. Although after Junior blasted Harris i think the fight was moving closer....but then Junior went and lost to Bradley and scuppered it.

The only real time it looked atall possible for the money it was imo worth, was around the time Hatton was being lined upto face Malignaggi, but HBO who were paying the wages wanted Paulie and not Witter. For whatever reason then weren't interested in Hatton/Witter.

Frankly speaking if Hatton went in happily with the likes of Mayweather in Vegas, then i find it obscene for anyone to seriously think he was scared of Witter.

The fight was on the cards from 2000-2008, in that time Hatton fought some unbelievable dross and less than a handful of opponents that were more worthwhile fights than Witter. It was always a risky fight without being too rewarding, unlike Pacquaio/Mayweather fights who offered around £20million a piece. If Witter was an easy fight believe that Hatton would have had him in their to knock over.

BTW the whole 'Hatton wrote it into his contract that he could make a Witter fight', is probably nothing but postering

[mickey1975]

warren didnt want it in the early days,hatton didnt in the later days(or his team didnt)

[lurkyshaka]

mate are you not reading what I wrote? Hatton wanted no part of Witter. That's just 4 years worth of excuses I posted there. He has AMPLE time to fight Witter and it would have been a BIG fight on these shores if it had of came off. You must not have been around and heard the buzz for the fight at that time. If Witter stayed with Warren the fight clearly wouldn't have happened BECAUSE OF HATTON. Hatton could have forced the fight, look at Khan, Warren aint holding him back is he? Khan even offered Witter a fight.

You are not thinking logically. You are making excuses for Hatton in the face of cold hard facts. He avoided Witter and it was ALL HIM. Accept it, most fans have.

Mate are you not reading what i wrote?? Hatton himself demanded it written into his contract with Warren that he must face Witter because he was sick of Junior's goading. How is that him not wanting the fight? At that point he definitely did. Junior then left Warren and the fight died.

After that Hatton was always on a much higher financial level then Witter and the fight never happened because Hatton was fighting the likes of Mayweather whilst Witter was picking up vacant straps.

At that point i think it clear Hatton just never wanted to give Witter a payday. Although after Junior blasted Harris i think the fight was moving closer....but then Junior went and lost to Bradley and scuppered it.

The only real time it looked atall possible for the money it was imo worth, was around the time Hatton was being lined upto face Malignaggi, but HBO who were paying the wages wanted Paulie and not Witter. For whatever reason then weren't interested in Hatton/Witter.

Frankly speaking if Hatton went in happily with the likes of Mayweather in Vegas, then i find it obscene for anyone to seriously think he was scared of Witter.

The fight was on the cards from 2000-2008, in that time Hatton fought some unbelievable dross and less than a handful of opponents that were more worthwhile fights than Witter. It was always a risky fight without being too rewarding, unlike Pacquaio/Mayweather fights who offered around £20million a piece. If Witter was an easy fight believe that Hatton would have had him in their to knock over.

BTW the whole 'Hatton wrote it into his contract that he could make a Witter fight', is probably nothing but postering

If that was simply posturing then make no mistake....Frankie boy would have revealed that in a huge f*cking hurry as soon as Hatton left him. Lets face it Warren does nothing but slag Hatton off week in and week out, he'd have fired that bullet a long time ago if it existed. That contract clause for certain existed.

Hatton would have fought the fight then for relative small money when both were upcomers.

But later on i think he resented that he as an elite earner should provide a man who harassed him the biggest payday of his life. Can you not see Hatton's point about this? I never said Hatton thought Witter was an easy day at the office. I'm sure he of course did realise the threat. But major factor was Junior brought no financial clout and Hattons paymasters were never impressed by Witter as an opponent for Hatton.

I'm seemingly one of the few who actually has time for both fighters, but i'm calling it as it is here. Fans just want to see fighters fight, but we always have to bear in mind this is a business.

[JDC]

Goodbye Senior Quitter

[Wrists]

I maintain thats its shocking if your a poster on here who slagged Hatton off for getting sparked by Pacquaio yet won't come on here and do the same when Witter quits against a B level fighter.

[liamlion]

And also years before the fight was worth anything. This is a business. And for that reason Hatton/Witter was never going to happen for simply a British belt. Warren wanted to build the fight into a real battle of Britain for major world honours. He wasn't going to allow it to happen for relative peanuts at British level, and risk eliminating either one of his fighters, who were both genuine contenders to lift world titles.

If you seriously believe what you’ve written, then you need to go and boil your head.

Warren wanted to protect Hatton as investment – that’s the only reason why the fight didn’t happen. Warren never gave a sh1t about Witter and probably only had him on his books so that he could steer Witter away from Hatton. Warren wanted to build nothing that involved a Witter-Hatton fight!!

There was no way that Warren was ever gonna let Junior Witter risk derailing Hatton and his enormously lucrative sell-out shows at the MEN in WBU title defences against non-punching lightweights.

Hatton v Witter would have made an absolute packet - even if it had been staged before Hatton beat Kosta. But if Witter had fought and beat Hatton, there would have been real damage caused to Hatton as a money-maker and there would have been no way that Witter could have made Warren the levels of money that Hatton continuously did. Warren knew full well that Witter had the potential to beat Hatton and could ultimately cost himself a packet if he put the fight on.

For Warren's reasons only the fight did not make financial sense. The risk to Hatton was just too great.

It was a money decision by Warren, sure – but ive not gotta agree with it. Im a British boxing fan, I wanna see the best British fighters fight each other. Regardless of what the promoter says (for a promoter’s interest is only in making himself money) it would be nice for a change for a British fighter to listen to the public consensus, ignore his promoter and demand a fight against his domestic rival.

A fighter cannot put a price on credibility. And a promoter will never care about a fighter's credibility as long as the fighter is packing out the arena in low-risk fights and earning him a shed-load of money.

[dondada]

Too many horrible fights againts hand picked opponents.

Horrible fights, yes.

Hand picked opponents? Jesus, you've got to be kidding. He's one of the few fighters who ever reached that level who struggled to get opponents at all.

[dondada]

I'd never berate a fighter for pulling out of a fight if he's injured but I can't help it and have to say how Witter now looks a prize plonker. For all his talk about winning back the belt and crushing Amir Khan in 3 rounds he puts in a shocking performance where he was bullied about and made to look all his 35 years. Great talking the talk but if you're goin' to do that you better walk the walk and again, Witter has flopped. Off you go now Junior, time to find another job. New series of Strictly Come Dancing is on soon isn't it. You can use yer footwork without getting punched.

Surprised at you, fella - you normally have more class than this. He's not the first fighter to have not backed up his pre-fight boasts. And it's the ONLY time in more than 12 years and 40 fights he's ever been stopped. As soon as it happens, a few people on here are rubbing their hands together in glee.

I do suppose he has one of those marmite styles though.

[lurkyshaka]

And also years before the fight was worth anything. This is a business. And for that reason Hatton/Witter was never going to happen for simply a British belt. Warren wanted to build the fight into a real battle of Britain for major world honours. He wasn't going to allow it to happen for relative peanuts at British level, and risk eliminating either one of his fighters, who were both genuine contenders to lift world titles.

If you seriously believe what you’ve written, then you need to go and boil your head.

Warren wanted to protect Hatton as investment – that’s the only reason why the fight didn’t happen. Warren never gave a sh1t about Witter and probably only had him on his books so that he could steer Witter away from Hatton. Warren wanted to build nothing that involved a Witter-Hatton fight!!

There was no way that Warren was ever gonna let Junior Witter risk derailing Hatton and his enormously lucrative sell-out shows at the MEN in WBU title defences against non-punching lightweights.

Hatton v Witter would have made an absolute packet - even if it had been staged before Hatton beat Kosta. But if Witter had fought and beat Hatton, there would have been real damage caused to Hatton as a money-maker and there would have been no way that Witter could have made Warren the levels of money that Hatton continuously did. Warren knew full well that Witter had the potential to beat Hatton and could ultimately cost himself a packet if he put the fight on.

For Warren's reasons only the fight did not make financial sense. The risk to Hatton was just too great.

It was a money decision by Warren, sure – but ive not gotta agree with it. Im a British boxing fan, I wanna see the best British fighters fight each other. Regardless of what the promoter says (for a promoter’s interest is only in making himself money) it would be nice for a change for a British fighter to listen to the public consensus, ignore his promoter and demand a fight against his domestic rival.

A fighter cannot put a price on credibility. And a promoter will never care about a fighter's credibility as long as the fighter is packing out the arena in low-risk fights and earning him a shed-load of money.

I'm not really talking about or interested in Warren's agenda's in general....Of course Hatton was his real money spinner, i've already said he wasn't going to risk the fight happening for peanuts. But if his hand had been forced and Witter had beaten Hatton then Witter's boost in popularity would have skyrocketed and the financial potential for a rematch could have been collosal. Warren wasn't keen on staging the fight early for domestic honours, but for world honours and the cash involved i expect he'd have allowed it to happen if of course he had both fighters under his unbrella.

I'm mainly addressing the belief some hold that Hatton was scared of Witter....if that was the case then why would have have made Warren put in his contract extention that he must get a Witter bout. If Hatton had then left Warren i'd agree it'd look bad, but he didn't. He stuck where he was, it was Junior who went and left Warren and scuppered the fight happening at that time.

After that they were always on far different levels of financial worth. Witter was always too much risk for just about f*ck all reward. HBO were never interested and so it was never likely. IF Witter had followed up the Harris fight by battering Bradley, and carried on defending his title successfully then i think the fight could have happened as i'm sure HBO would have changed their view. But Junior went and lost to Bradley and with it all the momentum he'd slowly been gaining.

Now maybe you go boil your head

[liamlion]

Warren wanted to build the fight into a real battle of Britain for major world honours.

Warren wasn't keen on staging the fight early for domestic honours, but for world honours and the cash involved i expect he'd have allowed it to happen if of course he had both fighters under his unbrella.

Bit of a change of stance from you there??... "Warren wanted to build the fight.." to "I expect he'd have allowed it.." Out of interest which one is it??

It was Junior who went and left Warren and scuppered the fight happening at that time.

C'mon man get real. Do you seriously think that if Junior Witter had stayed with Warren he would have got the Hatton fight?? Not a single chance!

Witter left Warren as he wanted to attempt to step out of the shadow of Hatton and force a fight with Hatton. Witter was never ever gonna get a fight with Hatton as long as Hatton was with Warren. Witter isnt to blame for the fight not happening - he was the only one who actually wanted the fight.

I'm mainly addressing the belief some hold that Hatton was scared of Witter....if that was the case then why would have have made Warren put in his contract extention that he must get a Witter bout.

But there is very good reason to conclude that Hatton didnt want any part of Witter... being scared is a rational explanation.

Hatton simply has to take his share of responsibility for the fight not happening too. Sure its been reported that Hatton insisted on a clause in his contract (with Warren) for a fight with Witter to take place. I have never seen the wording of the clause and am dubious that it ever existed. Why Hatton insisted on this you ask, i simply dont know. But notwithstanding this, Hatton never actually invoked that clause! Perhaps you might care to attempt to justify why this might have been??

Its completely irrelevant stating that if Witter had beaten Bradley etc... firstly, it was always said by Hatton that Witter brought nothing to the table (e.g. not enough money, no title, no fans), then he won and defended the WBC title and all of a sudden Hatton said he would never give Witter the pay day. Face it... Warren never wanted the fight and nor did Hatton, despite this shite about a clause in his contract... actions speak louder than words.

Which reminds me, a few years ago didnt Witter state that he would fight Hatton for free as long as his training expenses were covered? Hatton cant escape the fact that he ducked his domestic rival.

For the record HBO have got fcuk all to do with the fight happening... what exactly did Eamonn Magee, Juan Lazcano, Stephen Smith, Joe Hutchinson, Aldo Rios, Dennis Pedersen, Ray Oliveria (etc, etc) mean to HBO??