Junior Witter to be presented with what belt?

uptconnect · Post by **uptconnect** » 06 May 2005, 15:44

Junior Witter is to be presented with the Lonsdale belt for keeps this Sunday at the Town and Country Club in his hometown of Bradford during a promotion staged by the Ingles. Usually British champions are asked to defend their title three times before retaining outright, but the British Boxing Board of Control makes exceptions when suitable challengers cannot be found.

What is this belt, and how did he aquire it?
Is it a prestigous belt over there in Bradford?

Curious is all.

And what does that part mean where they say British Champs have to defend 3 times before retaining outright? Outright? Does that mean you can never lose the belt after 3 defenses?

Here, if a challenger wins the belt, he leaves the ring with it, but has to return it to the Former Champ, and The new Champ gets a new belt with his name on it.
Rock sued Lennox over not returning his belt after his loss in the rematch.
Then Lennox gave it back.

emile · Post by **emile** » 06 May 2005, 15:47

American fighters can only dream about winning something as nice as the Lonsdale Belt.

Are you really telling me that you'd rather have the NBO belt?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/sport/boxing/lonsdale.shtml

uptconnect · Post by **uptconnect** » 06 May 2005, 15:49

Yeah, that's real nice- But my point was, who did he buy it from?
And why did they give it to him, of all British fighters?

emile · Post by **emile** » 06 May 2005, 15:51

Did you even read the article?

There is more than one. :) It's like the World Cup, which you also get to keep if you win three times.

Matt Vanda is not eligible.

uptconnect · Post by **uptconnect** » 06 May 2005, 15:54

emile wrote:Did you even read the article?

There is more than one. :) It's like the World Cup, which you also get to keep if you win three times.

Matt Vanda is not eligible.

Nope I didn't read the rest of the article, because Junior Witter is no champion....That was my point.
I should have read further though and I would have had the answer to my second question I guess.

Good one on the Vanda reference.

Did you see that he's fighting Yuri-Boy Campas next?

The real sad part is that Yuri will probably beat him.

Freiheit · Post by **Freiheit** » 06 May 2005, 17:52

uptconnect wrote:Nope I didn't read the rest of the article, because Junior Witter is no champion....That was my point.
I should have read further though and I would have had the answer to my second question I guess.

I think you get the lonsdale belt when you have defended the british belt 3 times, and yes he is a champ.

tonyevs · Post by **tonyevs** » 06 May 2005, 18:03

Where did you get this from.

It is very wrong if he recieves the Lonsdale with no defences, I am sure this is wrong.

And back to the belt, the belt is the best looking belt out there, no World championship belt comes near it for looks.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 06 May 2005, 18:42

Absolutely ridiculous, I seriously hope this is wrong. Of course there are eligable challengers. Thats why they have eliniminators.

Now, I'm not for one minute saying that any below Hatton domestically can test Witter, but then why bother have elinimators.

Alan Bosworth won an elinimator years ago - why hasn't he had his shot? Francis Barrett beat Bosworth in an EU title fight - why not Barrett?

Neri · Post by **Neri** » 06 May 2005, 18:51

Magee would be a credible challenger for Witter

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 06 May 2005, 18:52

Neri1983 wrote:Magee would be a credible challenger for Witter

Yes, but I wish Magee would focus on the world scene at Welterweight - I really think he can win something at geniune world level.

That Collazo or whatever is name is looks well beatable.

Manos de Oro · Post by **Manos de Oro** » 06 May 2005, 20:11

Silly decision by the BBBoC. Does this mean people will look back and say Junior Witter was the undisputed best of the British light-welters from 2002-present? The Lonsdale is usually a sign that this particular fighter has dominated or proven himself the best in the UK. How the hell can that claim have any legitimacy when Ricky Hatton is still about?

How do the innumerable number of fighters from the past who went through wars - physical and mental - to get that belt hanging over their mantlepiece, feel about this decision? It's bollocks, in my opinion, and is just another example of missing vertebrae in the board's spine. 'World' title fights we don't even hear about are taking place in local leisure centres and Village Halls, with people taking this marketing byline on the poster literally. It is a complete farce.

Ricky Hatton and Junior Witter should have already fought 4 years ago; ban the fornicating WBU!

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 07 May 2005, 05:34

I read about this before, its because he's been champion for 3 years or something. I guess its not his fault the board couldnt find worthy challengers. I guess he could have fought Bosworth 4 times! ;)

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 07 May 2005, 05:34

Manos de Oro wrote:Silly decision by the BBBoC. Does this mean people will look back and say Junior Witter was the undisputed best of the British light-welters from 2002-present? The Lonsdale is usually a sign that this particular fighter has dominated or proven himself the best in the UK. How the hell can that claim have any legitimacy when Ricky Hatton is still about?

How do the innumerable number of fighters from the past who went through wars - physical and mental - to get that belt hanging over their mantlepiece, feel about this decision? It's bollocks, in my opinion, and is just another example of missing vertebrae in the board's spine. 'World' title fights we don't even hear about are taking place in local leisure centres and Village Halls, with people taking this marketing byline on the poster literally. It is a complete farce.

Ricky Hatton and Junior Witter should have already fought 4 years ago; ban the fornicating WBU!

Ricky Hatton is not going to fight Junior Witter. The Board could order whoever they like to fight Witter and he would wreck them because the gulf in class is too big. But, maybe that is what needs to happen I suppose if he wants to earn the belt.

As a very quick make time fight, maybe Junior should fight Bosworth then. Bad KO for Bosworth though, after being stopped in three rounds last time.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 07 May 2005, 05:45

Witter would KO Bosworth in 1 now. Pointless.

I think Witter will vacate once he gets this lonsdale belt, I dont blame him he has bigger fish to fry.

jomothepure · Post by **jomothepure** » 07 May 2005, 05:59

Has it not become 4 defences now to get the Lonsdale for keeps?

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 07 May 2005, 06:03

No, 4 total wins to win it outright. Used to be 3.

kevin · Post by **kevin** » 07 May 2005, 07:36

nickd wrote:Witter would KO Bosworth in 1 now. Pointless.

I think Witter will vacate once he gets this lonsdale belt, I dont blame him he has bigger fish to fry.

I think that's probably why they are doing it. Witter has always stated he wanted a Lonsdale to keep but he can't keep hanging around for the board to find him a challenger. They give him the belt he vacates and can concentrate on bigger fish

jomothepure · Post by **jomothepure** » 07 May 2005, 07:45

nickd wrote:No, 4 total wins to win it outright. Used to be 3.

Yeah, sorry, that's what I meant. 3 defences. Cheers

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 07 May 2005, 09:21

Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:
Manos de Oro wrote:Silly decision by the BBBoC. Does this mean people will look back and say Junior Witter was the undisputed best of the British light-welters from 2002-present? The Lonsdale is usually a sign that this particular fighter has dominated or proven himself the best in the UK. How the hell can that claim have any legitimacy when Ricky Hatton is still about?

How do the innumerable number of fighters from the past who went through wars - physical and mental - to get that belt hanging over their mantlepiece, feel about this decision? It's bollocks, in my opinion, and is just another example of missing vertebrae in the board's spine. 'World' title fights we don't even hear about are taking place in local leisure centres and Village Halls, with people taking this marketing byline on the poster literally. It is a complete farce.

Ricky Hatton and Junior Witter should have already fought 4 years ago; ban the fornicating WBU!
Ricky Hatton is not going to fight Junior Witter. The Board could order whoever they like to fight Witter and he would wreck them because the gulf in class is too big. But, maybe that is what needs to happen I suppose if he wants to earn the belt.

As a very quick make time fight, maybe Junior should fight Bosworth then. Bad KO for Bosworth though, after being stopped in three rounds last time.

Yes I agree Ian, Witter is clearly the best in the country, with the possible exception of Hatton. If there's nobody worth matching him against, what's the point in denying him the belt. It's possible that the matchups aren't that easy to make because people don't want to send their fighter in against Witter knowing they've got little chance of winning. It's not like Witter is the type to cruise to a win, he bashes people up when they aren't in his class.

liamlion · Post by **liamlion** » 07 May 2005, 10:12

Neri1983 wrote:Magee would be a credible challenger for Witter

Magee will never fight for a British Title. Magee is an Irish Republican, he doesnt acknowledge himself as British.

Neri · Post by **Neri** » 07 May 2005, 10:38

Didnt know that, thats a shame

Manos de Oro · Post by **Manos de Oro** » 07 May 2005, 11:10

Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:Ricky Hatton is not going to fight Junior Witter. The Board could order whoever they like to fight Witter and he would wreck them because the gulf in class is too big. But, maybe that is what needs to happen I suppose if he wants to earn the belt.

Nah I wouldn't like to see that - a fight with Bosworth or any out-classed challenger. The point of my post was to have a go at the amount of 'world' titles completely ruining the prestige of the boards' belt. Lynes and Hatton would likely have fought Witter by now, then there would likely be a Hatton rematch, add to that a Thaxton fight and there is 4 worthy British title fights. All three of those potential challengers Lynes (IBO), Hatton (WBU) and Thaxton (WBF) hold bogus, fake 'world' titles right under the boards nose. It is a complete joke and an utter disgrace how weak they have shown themselves to be. Are they completely in the pocket of (certain) promoters or something? That's the way it looks...

My main beef is with them just handing the belt away. Sure, it's not his fault there's no challengers going his 'route' (should be the only fornicating route!) in his time, but that's just tough shit - he shouldn't get a belt for keeps.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 07 May 2005, 11:30

nickd wrote:Witter would KO Bosworth in 1 now. Pointless.

I think Witter will vacate once he gets this lonsdale belt, I dont blame him he has bigger fish to fry.

Yes, but why did the board put Bosworth forward as a canditate. They shouldn't have done that. I know most people expected Stephen Smith to win that eliminator - but why nominate Bosworth if that is their response with the win.

Why couldn't they have sanctioned Oscar Hall when he fought Witter as a title defence. I appreciate Hall was a last minute replacement but had a decent record.

I can understand the criticisms but its not as if unworthy opponents with a huge gulf in class difference have never contested for a British belt (cough Damon Hague cough).

There have been opportunities for Witter to make these defences, he should have been stripped as opposed to be award £30,000 + for no reason.

Bosworth won the eliminator, should have had the fight - if the fight never happend then Witter would should have been stripped. Thats what happend with other fighters (look at Tony Dodson).

kevin · Post by **kevin** » 07 May 2005, 12:19

Manos de Oro wrote:
Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:Ricky Hatton is not going to fight Junior Witter. The Board could order whoever they like to fight Witter and he would wreck them because the gulf in class is too big. But, maybe that is what needs to happen I suppose if he wants to earn the belt.
Nah I wouldn't like to see that - a fight with Bosworth or any out-classed challenger. The point of my post was to have a go at the amount of 'world' titles completely ruining the prestige of the boards' belt. Lynes and Hatton would likely have fought Witter by now, then there would likely be a Hatton rematch, add to that a Thaxton fight and there is 4 worthy British title fights. All three of those potential challengers Lynes (IBO), Hatton (WBU) and Thaxton (WBF) hold bogus, fake 'world' titles right under the boards nose. It is a complete joke and an utter disgrace how weak they have shown themselves to be. Are they completely in the pocket of (certain) promoters or something? That's the way it looks...

My main beef is with them just handing the belt away. Sure, it's not his fault there's no challengers going his 'route' (should be the only fornicating route!) in his time, but that's just tough shit - he shouldn't get a belt for keeps.

Thaxton is a lightweight who has not been included in the current batch of eliminators, that's why he went for the WBF do you really expect him to sit around waiting for a couple of years in the hope he gets a British shot?

Witter could have vacated months/years ago but wanted to keep the belt why should he be penalised because he is a 'world' class fighter.

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 07 May 2005, 12:53

stujones wrote:
nickd wrote:Witter would KO Bosworth in 1 now. Pointless.

I think Witter will vacate once he gets this lonsdale belt, I dont blame him he has bigger fish to fry.
Yes, but why did the board put Bosworth forward as a canditate. They shouldn't have done that. I know most people expected Stephen Smith to win that eliminator - but why nominate Bosworth if that is their response with the win.

Why couldn't they have sanctioned Oscar Hall when he fought Witter as a title defence. I appreciate Hall was a last minute replacement but had a decent record.

I can understand the criticisms but its not as if unworthy opponents with a huge gulf in class difference have never contested for a British belt (cough Damon Hague cough).

There have been opportunities for Witter to make these defences, he should have been stripped as opposed to be award £30,000 + for no reason.

Bosworth won the eliminator, should have had the fight - if the fight never happend then Witter would should have been stripped. Thats what happend with other fighters (look at Tony Dodson).

I'm sorry Stu but I massively disagree with you. It would never happen but I bet Junior would fight Bosworth and two other top British contenders on the same night and spark them all out. Line em up. He's already battered Bosworth.

Why on earth should he be stripped? Dodson wasn't in a position to defend his title because of long-term injury.

Your point about Michael Hall IS the point. He's been in the top few for ages and is as good as most. He's dropped very narrow decisions to the likes of Barrett and Mutley and off the top of my head I think he beat Bosworth.

I was there for the fight. I know and like Michael but he was totally demolished, despite giving it a good go. The same would happen to the rest of them.

Dunno about Thaxton though...that might be interesting. But no way on this planet should the lad be stripped. He's not avoiding anybody.

You are basically asking for Froch-Hague type mismatches. Go and eat some raw meat, you bloody thirsty Celt!!!

8)