BoxRec

who's this junior witter fella then.

hatton is in a different stratosphere now.

Fist - fair comment now, but what about 24 - 36 months ago ?

Hatton not fighting Witter sums up everything that is wrong with boxing.

Hattons ony seems willing to fight people he beats easy or BIG name fighters, unfortunately Witter doesn't fall into either category. Come on Ricky, put it all on the line and fight him

Chambers2 wrote:Hatton not fighting Witter sums up everything that is wrong with boxing.

All you see nowadays is British 'boxing' fans talking like Ricky Hatton advisers, (self-)justifying complete shit.

"Oh but I think that 'X' would actually be a good fight..."
"Money, money, money, money, money..."
"American TV interest..."
"US fan interest..."
"Unmarketable..."
"Not big enough..."

Well trained.

I must admit that I've been guilty of that myself on occasion. It's hard not to when you've given up all hope of the fight ever happening. This really should have been sorted years ago.

Hatton will not fight Witter for one reason...he will lose!

twenty six wrote:Fist - fair comment now, but what about 24 - 36 months ago ?

When Witter had left SN?

You know as well as I do, that that at that time while Hatton was still with SN and Witter had gone to Hennessey that any chance of that fight happening was nill and void - We all know how Frank deals with fellow promoters in this country.

This is the point where Witter made his biggest single mistake in chasing Hatton.

From my own understanding that was more down to the Ingle's than Witter himself - The Ingle's should really stick to training, because that is what they are good at.

Moving their camp over to Hennessey hurt Witter bad, and consequently he has wasted his best years.

At this point in time, Hatton does not need Witter in any way shape or form, and if the truth be told, he never has needed him - This is where the 'avoided' tag comes in.

states wrote:I must admit that I've been guilty of that myself on occasion. It's hard not to when you've given up all hope of the fight ever happening. This really should have been sorted years ago.

For a long time I was the same. More recently, now there is a clearer view at the single-mindedness of Hatton's business acumen -- if British boxing really is a sinking ship, will it be healthy when he finally does make off with the loot? I just can't help get the feeling a dangerous precedent is getting set - and if you think Eubank/Benn:WBO was bad - wait till you see the effects of this...

Perhaps we are already seeing the effects of it with the seeming increase in pull-outs/sicknotes; fighter's self-reflexiveness on how their careers should be manufactured.

You know if I was Witter I wouldnt worry about it. Let Hatton do his thing and simply concentrating on defending his title, taking on legitimate challenges and looking to acquire the other belts out there. If he does this successfully, he will have secured his name as a truly world class fighter. In that sense, Witter would need Hatton and ironically, a respected status if achieved would tempt Hatton.

As said Hatton doesnt need Witter and fair enough. So Witter need not worry about Hatton.

I think that promoters in this country have missed an open goal with this one.

They could be talking about another British grudge match along the lines of Benn/Eubank with massive publicity and mega money to be made !
And dont forget that Eubank had stunk a few halls out in his time just like Witter, but it didnt affect his marketability.

Ask the general sports fans who Witter is , and they'll say exactly that.... Who?

But I bet that 99.9% of sports fans know who Hatton is !

After all Witters does hold arguably the most prestigous belt, in the WBC.
And this could have been billed as "THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN" if only somebody had guided Witter the same way as Hatton !

A chance missed I think, but I live in hope!

fist wrote:You know if I was Witter I wouldnt worry about it. Let Hatton do his thing and simply concentrating on defending his title, taking on legitimate challenges and looking to acquire the other belts out there. If he does this successfully, he will have secured his name as a truly world class fighter. In that sense, Witter would need Hatton and ironically, a respected status if achieved would tempt Hatton.

As said Hatton doesnt need Witter and fair enough. So Witter need not worry about Hatton.

That's all easier said than done for Witter though. He can't tempt Hatton into the ring, and he's not going to find it any easier with any other decent opponents. All the reasons that have been given by Hatton over the years for the fight not taking place(he's got no name, brings no money, he's boring) have all got some truth in them from Hatton's point of view. They're even more relevant for a fight with someone like Malignaggi, which wouldn't even have the 'British grudge match' angle that makes Hatton-Witter a fight we'd like to see.

Christ, Witter seemingly can't even make his WBC belt work for him. Is this mandatory defense against Harris ever going to happen? Frankly, Witter is in an unenviable position for a world champion.

Hatton-Witter would be a horrible fight, style-wise. It'd be more like a wrestling contest than a boxing match. I doubt it'd do anything as a spectacle to make British boxing popular again, unfortunately. Besides, hardly anyone knows who Witter is anyway.

What kind of "World Champion" is Hatton?
He can't even clean up his own backyard
Witter is the hardest fight out there for him
There's big interest in the UK for that fight
And anytime you can put that many bums on seats the American market takes notice.
Really who needs the America market??
Kessler was doing well way before HBO came into the picture
So was Joe and Hatton
Seems just like ego wanting to crack the "American Market"
They said there was 10,000 Brits that made that trip
The place had 13,000 there, it was not sold out
So they only sold 3000 or so tickets to Americans
Seems like a lot of shit when you consider that Hatton vs. Witter sell out
anywhere. The moneys there, we all know it
HBO would cover that fight
Hatton just does not fancy his chances

Should the fight have happened?
Yes,of course it should of.

Will it happen?
Who knows?

One thing is for sure though,if Witter is fighting Harris next,he would be better off concentrating on him I reckon.
Because if Vivian can regain his best form,I believe Mr.Witter will lose his title and along with it ANY chance of fighting his main target,Hatton

Chambers2 wrote:The Hatton-Witter situation winds me up more than any other in boxing

It's up there with Lewis-Bowe I'd say.

Box Office wrote:Hatton will not fight Witter for one reason...he will lose!

Better to lose to Mosley or Mayweather. Hatton would be a comfortable favourite against Witter, but it's far too chancy a fight given Junior's world status.

The fight is on!