BoxRec

Clinton fights on ... but only in row with Witter

Published Date: 15 September 2009
By Bob Westerdale

CLINTON Woods today launched a broadside at "boring" boxer Junior Witter - telling him to keep his nose out of his business.

Woods is heading for retirement after losing his chance to regain his IBF world championship in a 12-round defeat to American Tavoris Cloud last month.

The loss follows Witter's own defeat to Devon Alexander in a WBC light-welterweight title showdown weeks earlier, when he quit on his stool through injury.

Woods was angry with the nature of some of Witter's comments in The Star.
The Ingle fighter had said that boxers, generally, should retire if they have publicly stated they would - and said of Woods: "He's not the most naturally gifted boxer. He's gutsy but he has taken a lot of shots."

Woods, aged 37, said: "One thing I have never done is quit on my stool like Witter did. That was really embarrassing.

"Who is he to say anything about me?

"He's the most boring boxer around.

"How many people would pay to watch him? I have had more fans in just one of my shows than he has had in his entire career.

"And as for taking shots, I had 80 fights as an amateur and nearly 50 as a pro. But I am in good health and I don't need advice from him on when it's time to retire."
Witter's trainer, Dominic Ingle, insists his fighter has nothing but respect for Woods' achievements. "Clinton has taken this the wrong way. There would never have been any malice in Junior's remarks. He was talking generally about boxers who speak about retirement," he said.

"Full credit to Clinton, he has got further than most boxers do, and his promoter, Dennis Hobson, deserves praise for getting him so many world title shots over the years."

Witter, 35, wants to fight on for two or three more years.

witter didnt say anything wrong i think most people would agree with that

It's banter between has-beens.

Sorry, but I think thats true.

So, who was the more talented ?

Witter or Woods ?

witter

Witter but Woods achieved more.

until i heard what actually came out of his mouth I wouldn't take it too seriously.

it happens too often some foney poney gets hold of a quote and totally misrepresents it.

It's basically, as the Ingle man said, a none story.

clinton has the respect of british fans junior could never have.maybe hes a bit jealous.no wonder he hasnt taken many shots,he daren't exchange with anyone!

how ever many fans they had, i think both men's fans were gutted at recent performances. woods, vs tarver, and witter, vs alexander.

Adamj1987 wrote:witter didnt say anything wrong i think most people would agree with that

Exactly.

mickey1975 wrote:clinton has the respect of british fans junior could never have.maybe hes a bit jealous.no wonder he hasnt taken many shots,he daren't exchange with anyone!

I do not think Witter is jealous.

Clinton was a very good fighter, but the amount of World Title shots he was a bit off - I like both guys and think clinton should not tke it to heart, from where I am sitting Witter is spot on.

No malice intended.

DG. wrote:

mickey1975 wrote:clinton has the respect of british fans junior could never have.maybe hes a bit jealous.no wonder he hasnt taken many shots,he daren't exchange with anyone!

I do not think Witter is jealous.

Clinton was a very good fighter, but the amount of World Title shots he was a bit off - I like both guys and think clinton should not tke it to heart, from where I am sitting Witter is spot on.

No malice intended.

Is he a potential Prime Minsiter DG or is it a bit early do you think?

For someone who only ever took up boxing to lose his beer gut Clinton Woods is a massive overachiever

just shows what can be achieved if you never give up

NorthEastBoxingFan wrote:

DG. wrote:

mickey1975 wrote:clinton has the respect of british fans junior could never have.maybe hes a bit jealous.no wonder he hasnt taken many shots,he daren't exchange with anyone!

I do not think Witter is jealous.

Clinton was a very good fighter, but the amount of World Title shots he was a bit off - I like both guys and think clinton should not tke it to heart, from where I am sitting Witter is spot on.

No malice intended.

Is he a potential Prime Minsiter DG or is it a bit early do you think?

Not speaking with a yorkshire accent he isn't!


DD

i dont think anybody would have hired the sheffield arena for witter as they did for woods

Junior Witter wrote:He's not the most naturally gifted boxer. He's gutsy but he has taken a lot of shots.

I can see why Woods wouldn't like this comment, as it might suggest that Witter thinks of himself as a more talented fighter.

Horse wrote:

Junior Witter wrote:He's not the most naturally gifted boxer. He's gutsy but he has taken a lot of shots.

I can see why Woods wouldn't like this comment, as it might suggest that Witter thinks of himself as a more talented fighter.

Witter is the more talented fighter!

DD

DG. wrote:Witter is the more talented fighter!

DD

I don't think he is.

Horse wrote:

DG. wrote:Witter is the more talented fighter!

DD

I don't think he is.

I know he is.

Let start a poll!

I am sure you also rank Witter higher than woods - if you dont then you should in your league.


DD

To be fair, I think Woods has made a bigger deal out of this than it actually needed!

Come on guys, both boxers, have fought at the highest level, mutual respect & all that!

Rocky Balboa wrote:To be fair, I think Woods has made a bigger deal out of this than it actually needed!

Come on guys, both boxers, have fought at the highest level, mutual respect & all that!

DD

Horse wrote:

Junior Witter wrote:He's not the most naturally gifted boxer. He's gutsy but he has taken a lot of shots.

I can see why Woods wouldn't like this comment, as it might suggest that Witter thinks of himself as a more talented fighter.

Yeah Clinton is probably just feeling a bit sensitive right now.

Clinton did one thing Witter never managed, and that's defending his title.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:

Horse wrote:

Junior Witter wrote:He's not the most naturally gifted boxer. He's gutsy but he has taken a lot of shots.

I can see why Woods wouldn't like this comment, as it might suggest that Witter thinks of himself as a more talented fighter.

Yeah Clinton is probably just feeling a bit sensitive right now.

Clinton did one thing Witter never managed, and that's defending his title.

Eh?

jamesmcdonnell wrote:

Horse wrote:

Junior Witter wrote:He's not the most naturally gifted boxer. He's gutsy but he has taken a lot of shots.

I can see why Woods wouldn't like this comment, as it might suggest that Witter thinks of himself as a more talented fighter.

Yeah Clinton is probably just feeling a bit sensitive right now.

Clinton did one thing Witter never managed, and that's defending his title.

He beat Corley for the title and retained it twice -one of them against Vivian Harris!


DD

i think witters reputation for bad mouthing other boxers preceeded his comments about woods. Your automatically going to be on the defensive as soon as you hear witter has said something about you, even if its not that bad.