Junior Witter-Kelson Pinto fight confirmed

[bennie]

Junior Witter has branded Manchester's WBU light-welterweight champion Ricky Hatton "a coward" and fears he may never get the chance to face his arch-rival in the ring.
British and Commonwealth champion Witter will fight on the same card as Hatton at the MEN Arena on December 13.
Hatton headlines the show by defending his crown against Ben Tackie; Witter will take on big-punching Brazilian Kelson Pinto in the chief support for the WBO interim light-welterweight title (due to the hand injury suffered by champion Zab Judah when winning the title in July from Demarcus Corley).
However, Witter insists it is still a showdown with Hatton which he really craves.
"From a personal point of view, there is so much more for me to gain from a fight with Hatton because he really does set me on fire. It's a fight I dream about."
Promoter allegedly has blamed American cable network Showtime for Hatton-Witter being put on hold, due to Witter's poor reputation in the States.
But Witter added: "I'm not bothered about what American TV want, it's a fight that English TV wants to see. A fight for England, and it's a fight I know I can win.
"Ricky says the fight between me and him is in his contract and it's supposed to happen within three fights. That was three fights ago. Ricky is a coward."
But Witter may have his hands full with the highly-rated Pinto, who has won all 18 of his professional bouts, 16 inside the distance.
"My opponent's dangerous and I won't be taking him lightly," said Witter.
"He's been knocking everyone over and apparently he did everything there was to do in the amateurs.
"So he's coming through the ranks, but I'm going be the one to stop him, and I'll be happy to do it."
Witter's co-trainer John Ingle even believes Pinto poses a bigger threat to his charge than Hatton ever would.
"We've seen a tape of Pinto and it's just like a knockout compilation video," said Ingle.
"It's just terror, mayhem and destruction every time he goes out there.
"I've said to Junior this is more of a fight he could lose than against Ricky Hatton."

[REAL_DEAL]

I want to see witter win this one, there are two outcomes to this fight i feel.

If Witter wins he will get Hatton match,

If he gets beat he should face Magee.

i am going for a witter UD

[jamesmcdonnell]

This is absolutely Witters last chance to impress Jay Larkin in my opinion, if he stinks the joint out and wins a snoozer, he will never ever get another shot on showtime.

He has to win this impressively, he doesn't have to win by stoppage, but he has to provide some excitement.

If he loses, I Magee will be bothered with him, as he will no longer have a top 10 ranking.

Pinto hasn't faced anyone decent yet, but he can punch and he's strong. This fight carries a risk, how big a risk is hard to say, because Pinto hasn't been tested yet, but it's a good move on Witter's part.

He needs to take some risks, the best thing that could happen is for him to get involved in a real fight where he looks like he could be in trouble and rallies to win.

I get the feeling that Witter like Nelson may never get any big fights because his style is just too safe.

[bennie]

Witter is proving a real thorn in the side of Ricky Hatton, and Kelson Pinto is being brought over to bump off Witter I believe. We all know Showtime don't want a Hatton-Witter fight. HBO didn't want a Naseem Hamed-Steve Robinson fight either, when Robinson was WBO number one contender to Naz.
The rugged Mexican Juan Carlos Ramirez was duly brought over to bump off Robinson.

[Kilburn]

Yeah don't expect too many tears from Wazza if Witter slips up next month.

I wonder if this Pinto is any good? Whatever he is he's got to be a heck of a step up from Witters recent opposition. Could be just the fight Junior needs to prepare him for the Hitman. Hopefully it's not a jump to far.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Thing is, I don't believe that Hatton is scared of Witter, I think it is more that Warren would rather develop the two independently, and then match them up much later down the line.

The problem is, that Witter doesn't have a big fanbase, isn't charismatic and just doesn't excite, which makes it hard to develop him independently.

If i were Witter, I'd leave Warren and either try and go to the states, or Join someone like Mick Hennessey and take my chances there. Trouble is, either move is a step into the unknown, and for a fighter to take such a jump could wreck his career.

Witter can get a crack at Judah, but only if he really impresses someone.

[Goz]

Thing is, I don't believe that Hatton is scared of Witter, I think it is more that Warren would rather develop the two independently, and then match them up much later down the line.

The problem is, that Witter doesn't have a big fanbase, isn't charismatic and just doesn't excite, which makes it hard to develop him independently.

If i were Witter, I'd leave Warren and either try and go to the states, or Join someone like Mick Hennessey and take my chances there. Trouble is, either move is a step into the unknown, and for a fighter to take such a jump could wreck his career.

Witter can get a crack at Judah, but only if he really impresses someone.

Agreed, I really believe Hatton would fight any Light-Welterweight in the world, as I'm sure would Witter.

My only hope is that Warren is hoping to build up Hatton-Witter into some kind of Benn-Eubank saga (they are even similar in some ways) but wants a decent title on the line for them to contest AND to have built up the public outcry to breaking point. If that's what he's doing he is building Hatton up nicely, Witter has just been frozen out though.

It's also possible that Frankie feels the fight could generate a big outdoor gate (thus cushioning the financial blow were Hatton to lose) in Manchester and this would obviously have to be in the summer. Once Phillips cut Hatton in April any chance of summer 2003 went out of the window. So maybe next summer?

Anyway, back to the thread topic, Witter-Pinto looks intriguing on paper, as long Tackie and Pinto both make it to the MEN for December 13th that's a superb domestic card to end the year.

[Loftgroov]

Hatton - Witter would never be on the Benn vs Eubank scale.

Remember....most of the British public haven't got a clue who Junior Witter even is. Hatton has been more visable (even if its just being a question of sport and so on).

Benn & Eubank were household names more or less. People who didn't follow boxing still knew who Chris Eubank was. The fight had appeal.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Compared to Benn and Eubank, Hatton is practically invisible let alone Witter.

Everyone knew who Benn and Eubank were, why? Because they were both on mainstream terrestrial TV, simple as that.

Even Naz wasn't as well known as Ben and Eubank were, they were national institutions....

[Kilburn]

It also had something to do with their incredibly strong personalities. As nice a guy as Hatton is let's face it he's boring as f""k to listen to and has no chip on his shoulder. Witter is obviously cocky but often jumbles up his words and doesn't really say anything too interesting.

It might be a great fight in the ring one day and an absolute must for the hardcore fans but as far as a clash of personalities goes I doubt you could ever get Joe Public to give much of a shit about Hatton v Witter.

[Goz]

That's why I said 'some kind' of Benn-Eubank saga. Of course Ricky and Junior will never acheive the acclaim that the aforementioned Middle and Super-Middle champs acheived unless Wazza signed a shock deal with the BBC or ITV.

These guys are marketed terribly....

For modern times it could still be pretty big and generate a large live gate because of Hatton's popularity in Manchester.

[jamesmcdonnell]

If Hatton and Witter fought at Man City's ground, they would get a capacity crowd, which is what 45,000?

That would generate what, 2.25 million on it's own.

[Kilburn]

I think you're dreaming a bit there James, 45,000 for Hatton v Witter? It's a big showdown but it aint that big.

[Twinkle Toes]

Even though I think Witter is way overratted, I would like to see him fight Hatton just so I don't have to keep reading about the proposed match all the time.

Anyway, back to the fight. Witter has got to his no1 ranking with the WBO by not actually having to fight any one of any note. This looks a decent step up, and it will be interesting to see how witter approcahes this fight. Or more interstingly, how he adapts when he gets hit on the chin ;)

[jamesmcdonnell]

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.

[Ulysses]

Kelson Pinto was an outstanding amateur who beat amongst others the highly touted Miguel Cotto. he had a reported slate of 94-4.

[MightyWarrior]

This guy must be good if he beat Augustus, who only loses to the very best, as we know over here.

Witter's experience should count for a lot though - who thinks Witter wins this one, anyone??

[mrbassie]

doesn't look too skinny for his height, this is gonna be an ask for Witter. He'd be well advised to adopt the tactics Mayweather and Casamayor both used against Corrales: move move move, make him reach, counter counter counter.

Does this guy have a jab btw?

[bennie]

This guy must be good if he beat Augustus, who only loses to the very best, as we know over here.

Witter's experience should count for a lot though - who thinks Witter wins this one, anyone??

This, as mrbassie says, is a tough one for Witter. The 27-year-old Pinto has won all 18 of his fights since turning pro in late 2000, 16 of them via the short route. His best win came in his last fight, when he outpointed world class Emanuel Augustus in a 10-rounder in Texas in June (Augustus, typically, took the fight at late notice), and the only other man to take him the distance was Mexico's Dagoberto Najera in June 2002. He certainly looks of a similar ilk to celebrated countryman, Acelino de Freitas, i.e., a big puncher. Six-footer Pinto has drawn favorable comparisons to "Popo" in fact, and even to that lanky power-puncher of a previous era, the legendary Tommy Hearns. "He's dangerous, and I won't be taking him lightly," admitted Witter. "He's been knocking everyone over and apparently he did everything there was to do in the amateurs."
A four-time Brazilian amateur champion, Pinto compiled a 94-4 (60) amateur record according to Golden Boy Promotions, who back the Brazilian - and defeated Miguel Cotto in a 1999 pre-Olympic tournament (incidentally Pinto was stopped in four rounds in the Sydney Olympics by eventual Gold medallist Muhammad Abdullaev, who also eliminated Cotto in those games).
"He's coming through the ranks," continued Witter. "But I'm going be the one to stop him, and I'll be happy to do it."
Witter's co-trainer John Ingle even believes Pinto poses a bigger threat to his charge than big domestic rival, Ricky Hatton.
"We've seen a tape of Pinto and it's just like a knockout compilation video," said Ingle.
"It's just terror, mayhem and destruction every time he goes out there.
"I've said to Junior this is more of a fight he could lose than against Ricky Hatton."
Pinto reeled off seven first round wins in a row when he turned pro, and 10 of his 16 quick wins have come in the first round in fact. While the opposition has hardly remained great (his opponent two fights ago was the 42-year-old former featherweight contender Richard Savage), the win last time out over Augustus was a big one. Pinto got off to a quick start that night, jabbing stiffly and following up with quick right hand-left hook combinations. Augustus shrugged off the punches as he sought to wear Pinto down, and piled on the presssure in the middle rounds. But Pinto answered every Augustus combination with one of his own and, in the final frame, got on his bike to jab and move his way to a unanimous decision by scores of of 99-91 and 98-92 twice.
So Pinto passed his first real test as a pro in excellent style.
Oscar De La Hoya said of his charge: "Top Rank, which is obviously one of my competitors now that I'm in the promoting business, is raving about Miguel Cotto being the next sensation.
"Well, Kelson Pinto beat Miguel Cotto in the amateurs. So if Miguel Cotto's going to be a sensation, I have a guy who is going to be a monster in this boxing world."
Pinto helped his boss prepare for the Shane Mosley fight...

[stujones]

Good point about the Tv deals, its a shame with Hatton, Witter and Magee we have three qualifty fighters and all (in their own way) charasmatic. It would be a great trilogy (something comparable to Eubank, Benn and Watson).

If these were on "The Big Fight" on ITV then they'd all be household names and big stars.

[The REAL McCoy]

Props to Witter for taking such a tough fight, unlike Ricky Hatton he had the guts to go in with Zab Judah, & fight for a genuine World title in the early part of his career

Although many criticised his performance, he did show courage to take the fight & you gotta say with the exception of Judah this will be the toughest fight of his career so far

With Hatton fighting Tackie & Witter fighting Pinto we are in for a boxing treat, after all we dont see too many competitive fights this side of the pond anymore

A night McCoy is thoroughly looking forward to :)

[Blue]

REAL_DEAL
I agree with U except that if Witter beats Pinto impressively, Frank will never let Hatton face him till he’s milked the cash cow dry & is ready to send it to the slaughter house. :(

Bennie's got it right, Pinto is being brought over to bump off Witter.
Anybody who beats Cotto (even as an amateur) is one tough cookie. 8)

The fact that Witter doesn't have a big fan base is Frank’s fault.
Charisma comes from winning a “defining” fight which neither fighter has done.

Dec. 13th should be the last tune up for both as they have been lounging at 2nd level for the last 2 years.
After that…if they win, (cough) they should both step up and fight the defining fight.
The Brit fans deserve it.

[stujones]

Do you guys think a Witter win will impress Larkin regardless of how he fights... I mean do you think he'll force Larkin to take note even if he wins ala Jones on the Weekend (incidently just seen that fight for a second time and I've now scored it 116-112 Jones).

Surely he'll have to take note, I mean if he gets this belt he'll have to fight Judah or someone else for the belt proper if Zab vacates.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Look, some of you are living in cloud cuckoo land here.

allegedly is a promoter, and a promoters obligation, really, at the end of the day, is to make his fighters the maximum money for the minimum risk, it's up to the fighters to an extent

If you were a promoter, given the choice between,

1 Getting Hatton and Witter both within spitting distance of a major world title belt, and making them both some money.

or

2 Matching them before either of them has really achieved their full potential and risking ending one of their careers

As for this business about how Hatton is just a 'cash cow,' are you really suggesting Witter is the real-deal? Based on what? He has one good win, one impressive one, against Jan Bergman, and since then, he hasn't really impressed me at all. Sure, he's bowled

You cannot entirely blame Warren for Witter's status or his popularity, sure he hasn't been pushed like Hatton, but no way would he ever be as popular as Hatton. Witter is a naturally cautious fighter when he goes in against top fighters.

Witter took the fight against Judah, and like it or not, if he wanted his career to flourish, he should not have stunk the joint out, which he did. If he didn't want to risk looking bad, I am sure he could have turned down the fight. Failing that, he should have at least made a fight of it instead of doing his best impression of Carl Lewis and jetting around the ring in reverse all night.

Hatton v Witter hopefully will both be big names one day, and can face off when they can both make maximum profit. I for one belive Hatton is the better of the two, limited, yes, but he is effective at what he does.

Witter has yet to demonstrate to me that he could cope with Hatton's pressure and intensity.

Although Hatton has had more than his fair share of hype, I don't think he's all hype, and taking on Tackie is hardly an easy assignment. I'd like to see him fight Witter, but why does everyone in this country get obsessed with local rivalries, it's a big world of boxing out there, and in the scheme of things, a fight with Witter isn't that important, there are bigger fish to fry.

[Blue]

Jamesmcdonnell Posted: 14 Nov 2003 01:15
Look, some of you are living in cloud cuckoo land here.

allegedly is a promoter, and a promoters obligation, really, at the end of the day, is to make his fighters the maximum money for the minimum risk, it's up to the fighters to an extent

Well, U sound like a good business man, but as a fan I see it differently.

It is the managers obligation, at the end of the day, to make his fighters the maximum money for the minimum risk, not the promoters who’s obligation is to promote the best competitive fights for the fans. 8)

That is why the promoters are not supposed to wear two hats and manage fighters. (At least in the USA.)

If you were a promoter, given the choice between,

1 Getting Hatton and Witter both within spitting distance of a major world title belt, and making them both some money.

or

2 Matching them before either of them has really achieved their full potential and risking ending one of their careers

Again I repeate, That is the managers choice.
They have both been sitting at the 2nd level for two years.

As for this business about how Hatton is just a 'cash cow,' are you really suggesting Witter is the real-deal? Based on what? He has one good win, one impressive one, against Jan Bergman, and since then, he hasn't really impressed me at all. Sure, he's bowled

You cannot entirely blame Warren for Witter's status or his popularity, sure he hasn't been pushed like Hatton, but no way would he ever be as popular as Hatton. Witter is a naturally cautious fighter when he goes in against top fighters.

This has happened only once against Judah & as a last moment stand in.
Since Hatton hasn’t done as much, U don’t even know if he would freeze at top level. 8)

Witter took the fight against Judah, and like it or not, if he wanted his career to flourish, he should not have stunk the joint out, which he did. If he didn't want to risk looking bad, I am sure he could have turned down the fight. Failing that, he should have at least made a fight of it instead of doing his best impression of Carl Lewis and jetting around the ring in reverse all night.
Hatton v Witter hopefully will both be big names one day, and can face off when they can both make maximum profit. I for one belive Hatton is the better of the two, limited, yes, but he is effective at what he does.

Witter has yet to demonstrate to me that he could cope with Hatton's pressure and intensity.

IMO, Hatton's pressure and intensity is great with stepping stone & club fighters.
Witter is a step up. So is Tackie & Pinto.
It will be interesting to see how both fare on the 13th of Dec.

Although Hatton has had more than his fair share of hype, I don't think he's all hype, and taking on Tackie is hardly an easy assignment. I'd like to see him fight Witter, but why does everyone in this country get obsessed with local rivalries,

It’s not just in Great Britain that fans feel this way.
If you look at most countries, the Champion is the proven best.
To be the best in one’s country is 2nd only to the World title
It’s a matter of pride, as well as money.

it's a big world of boxing out there, and in the scheme of things, a fight with Witter isn't that important, there are bigger fish to fry.

The bigger fish just may eat U if U are not prepared.
Since U are a good businessman, U should be familiar with the system of merit.
U should know that even Tackie & Pinto cannot be considered “top level”.