BoxRec

According to the Belfast Telegraph (not the most reliable of newspapers), Eamonn Magee now looks set to fight for the vacant British light-welterweight title on December 13 the MEN Arena, Manchester.

Magee's manager Mike Callahan today revealed that Junior Witter has decided not to fight the Belfast man and will instead box for the WBO interim title.

As Magee is the mandatory challenger for the Lonsdale belt, Callahan expects the British Boxing Board of Control to declare the championship vacant.

"I agreed terms and signed a contract for Magee to fight Witter in good faith and now it seems that Witter has walked away so surely it can only be right that Magee gets a shot at the vacant title because he is the number one challenger," said Callahan.

"It's disappointing that Witter would not fight him but he obviously thinks he has a better chance of winning the WBO interim title.

"Maybe he just thinks that fighting Eamonn is too much of a gamble at this stage in his career and he's probably right.

"But Eamonn has already started to get in good shape and hopefully over the next week we will have something finalised."

WBU light-welterweight champion Ricky Hatton tops the bill at the MEN when he defends against Ghana's Ben Tackie, arguably the strongest challenger he has faced.

Meanwhile, Brian Magee, who defends his IBO super-middleweight title on November 22 at the King's Hall, has moved up to number 12 in the WBC ratings.

I take it (given the source) that this is still all very much in the rumour stage.

Anybody know what kind of shape Allan Bosworth is in, as he won the eliminator - so really it should be Magee vs Bosworth for the title.

However, Magee vs Smith or Magee vs Roache would be acceptable.

Maybe this is the opportunity that could tempt Jason Rowland.

Its actually probably for the best, I think a 3rd major defeat for Magee would signal the end of any hope. If Witter wins the WBO belt, and don't be surprised Witter's fight doesn't get promoted to at least interim status, I still think Magee would be a solid world title challenger.

stujones wrote:I take it (given the source) that this is still all very much in the rumour stage.

Anybody know what kind of shape Allan Bosworth is in, as he won the eliminator - so really it should be Magee vs Bosworth for the title.

However, Magee vs Smith or Magee vs Roache would be acceptable.

Maybe this is the opportunity that could tempt Jason Rowland.

Its actually probably for the best, I think a 3rd major defeat for Magee would signal the end of any hope. If Witter wins the WBO belt, and don't be surprised Witter's fight doesn't get promoted to at least interim status, I still think Magee would be a solid world title challenger.

Bosworth is fighting Stephen Smith for the English light-welterweight title at Derby later this month, so unless he pulls out, that rules him out.

bennie wrote:Bosworth is fighting Stephen Smith for the English light-welterweight title at Derby later this month, so unless he pulls out, that rules him out.

Bosworth vs Smith would be a good match up, this English title seems to be gaining momentum.

However, Bosworth won the eliminator, so the BBBoC should really opt for a Bosworth vs Magee match up. I can't see Bosworth vs Smith happening now.

Shame, would've been an interesting mix up, revealing too.
Still, if Witter is fighting for the interim wbo this time out then fair enough. Who needs a risky British title defense when the door is open for bigger and better things.

I actually think that it would be a risky fight for Witter, I am still not convinced of his amazing gifts, he looks to me like a less talented Herol Graham, flash, lots of movement, but aside from Jan Bergman (which was a good win), who has he beaten.

I honestly think Ricky Hatton will make him suffer if they ever fight, If Witter turns in a good performance I might change my opinion, but he looked piss poor in his fight before last.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:, but he looked piss poor in his fight before last.

Yes, on every performance barring that one I would have said Witter all the way. However, the chin might be a worry (cause he was alarmingly wobbled by a non-puncher). I think if that was just a one off and his chin is sound then he's got the offensive tools to beat Hatton.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I actually think that it would be a risky fight for Witter, I am still not convinced of his amazing gifts, he looks to me like a less talented Herol Graham, flash, lots of movement, but aside from Jan Bergman (which was a good win), who has he beaten.

I honestly think Ricky Hatton will make him suffer if they ever fight, If Witter turns in a good performance I might change my opinion, but he looked piss poor in his fight before last.

Hello James. allegedly is all set to announce Witter's opponent on the big Hatton-Tackie bill in December (at least that's what he's saying on his website). It will almost certainly be Brazil's Kelson Pinto for the WBO interim title. He might test Witter for the first time since Judah.

Witter would leather Hatton with embarrising ease. Warren will never make the fight he's shit scared. The rubbish about Showtime not stumping up the cash is absolute bollocks.

As for the Magee, it was NEVER on, it was never made. It was just more crap written by the toerag that is called David Kelly.

lightsoot wrote:Witter would leather Hatton with embarrising ease. Warren will never make the fight he's shit scared. The rubbish about Showtime not stumping up the cash is absolute bollocks.

As for the Magee, it was NEVER on, it was never made. It was just more crap written by the toerag that is called David Kelly.

ben i hope your going to put your money where your mouth is, i would like to take money off you as i am when audley will KO hide with spud,

stujones wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:, but he looked piss poor in his fight before last.

Yes, on every performance barring that one I would have said Witter all the way. However, the chin might be a worry (cause he was alarmingly wobbled by a non-puncher). I think if that was just a one off and his chin is sound then he's got the offensive tools to beat Hatton.

That didn't look good but a guy who's not considered a good puncher can still sometimes throw a good punch. If you've got that fight on tape then watch the replay; he stepped in behind it and it really turned Witter's head, it was a good shot. He took one or two good uns from Judah and didn't go down, so I personally give him the benefit of the doubt for now.

lightsoot wrote:Witter would leather Hatton with embarrising ease.

What has Witter ever done to suggest that this will happen?
(please keep references to his deomolishion of his post Judah sacrificial opponents in proportion)

Priff wrote:

lightsoot wrote:Witter would leather Hatton with embarrising ease.

What has Witter ever done to suggest that this will happen?
(please keep references to his deomolishion of his post Judah sacrificial opponents in proportion)

Agreed. Whoever you fancy to win the fight it has to be accepted that Hatton would at least be competitive.

No offence intended but I think Lightsoot is a friend of Witters which may have something to do with his assertion....

Goz wrote:

Priff wrote:

lightsoot wrote:Witter would leather Hatton with embarrising ease.

What has Witter ever done to suggest that this will happen?
(please keep references to his deomolishion of his post Judah sacrificial opponents in proportion)

Agreed. Whoever you fancy to win the fight it has to be accepted that Hatton would at least be competitive.

No offence intended but I think Lightsoot is a friend of Witters which may have something to do with his assertion....

Goz

I won't drag up the old arguments mate cos we've gone round in circles. As you should know, I'm a fan of Ricky Hatton too, he's a class act. Witter fights Pinto for the WBO interim title. To his detractors at long last this is a credible opponent and a tricky hurdle to say the least. I believe in Witter's ability but should he spectacularly come a cropper I'll hold my hands up.

lightsoot wrote: Goz

I won't drag up the old arguments mate cos we've gone round in circles. As you should know, I'm a fan of Ricky Hatton too, he's a class act. Witter fights Pinto for the WBO interim title. To his detractors at long last this is a credible opponent and a tricky hurdle to say the least. I believe in Witter's ability but should he spectacularly come a cropper I'll hold my hands up.

Cool. I'm glad Witter is getting a good fight at long last, hope I can somehow get to see the card in the Dominican Republic.

If Hatton-Witter is ever made I hope you've got some savings together for a hefty bet because Hatton will be favourite for the fight, if your conviction in an easy nights work for The Hitter is proven to be justified you will clean up!

Goz wrote:

lightsoot wrote: Goz

I won't drag up the old arguments mate cos we've gone round in circles. As you should know, I'm a fan of Ricky Hatton too, he's a class act. Witter fights Pinto for the WBO interim title. To his detractors at long last this is a credible opponent and a tricky hurdle to say the least. I believe in Witter's ability but should he spectacularly come a cropper I'll hold my hands up.

Cool. I'm glad Witter is getting a good fight at long last, hope I can somehow get to see the card in the Dominican Republic.

If Hatton-Witter is ever made I hope you've got some savings together for a hefty bet because Hatton will be favourite for the fight, if your conviction in an easy nights work for The Hitter is proven to be justified you will clean up!

Yeah, I'd put my money where my mouth is for sure

However, there's more chance of me becoming the new manager of Sheffield United before Hatton-Witter get it on. There's a press conference set for tomorrow. I've been a bit naughty here because the Witter-Pinto announcement is not official. Confirmation should be tomorrow afternoon though.

lightsoot wrote:Witter fights Pinto for the WBO interim title. To his detractors at long last this is a credible opponent and a tricky hurdle to say the least.

Yeah, its should be a very interesting contest. To clarify, I'm not a detractor of Witter, far from it. Its just the one outing (which James mentioned) that made think "oh, is that a chink in the armour?". As Bennie said it was a good shot, but still Brendan Ingle fighters as a whole seem to have more questionmarks about their chin than other stables. I have my views why, which I have mentioned on an earlier thread. So I think untill Hatton or maybe Pinto nail Witter I think I'll always have my doubts.

lightsoot wrote: Yeah, I'd put my money where my mouth is for sure

However, there's more chance of me becoming the new manager of Sheffield United before Hatton-Witter get it on. There's a press conference set for tomorrow. I've been a bit naughty here because the Witter-Pinto announcement is not official. Confirmation should be tomorrow afternoon though.

Just been looking at Pinto's record, nothing to get too worried about. The last win over Augustus is decent enough but other than that Witter should be pretty confident.

Bot obviously not complacent either...

Goz wrote: Just been looking at Pinto's record, nothing to get too worried about. The last win over Augustus is decent enough but other than that Witter should be pretty confident.

Bot obviously not complacent either...

His pro opponents, Augustus apart, are mediocre-looking, but he compiled a 94-4 (60) amateur record - and defeated Miguel Cotto in a 1999 pre-Olympic tournament. He then boxed in the 2000 Olympics and lost to eventual Gold medallist Muhammad Abdullaev, who also eliminated Cotto.
So he has real pedigree.

McCoy feels that this would be a boring fight if it did happen because of the combination of their styles, but interesting because it would be good to see how Witter would deal with Magee

The REAL McCoy wrote:McCoy feels that this would be a boring fight if it did happen because of the combination of their styles, but interesting because it would be good to see how Witter would deal with Magee

Good to see the cool cat McCoy making a visit. Your probably right on this one I couldn't imagine Magee vs Witter being mentioned as a fight of the year canditate.

i think if pinto beats witter we will see magee - witter,

i also think magee should try his luck in the welter weight divison, he did box there as a amature.

REAL_DEAL wrote:i think if pinto beats witter we will see magee - witter.

We could see it if Witter wins, can think of worst WBO challengers.

stujones wrote:

The REAL McCoy wrote:McCoy feels that this would be a boring fight if it did happen because of the combination of their styles, but interesting because it would be good to see how Witter would deal with Magee

Good to see the cool cat McCoy making a visit. Your probably right on this one I couldn't imagine Magee vs Witter being mentioned as a fight of the year canditate.

Its good to be back Stu :)

If the fight did happen McCoy would pick Witter on points

Although talented, Magee likes to fight part-time when in the ring

Witter would probably outwork him

hope your not going to leave this board if harrison gets beat, which he wont,

wheres my tom jones greatest hits CD