BoxRec

Witter: Time is running out on Hatton



Bradford’s Junior Witter, who made history in September by becoming the first ever Brit to win a WBC world championship at 140lb, believes the clock may be ticking on an all-domestic marquee affair against Ricky Hatton.

Whilst the 32-year-old has a raft of options ahead of him as the holder of the most prestigious belt in the division, he has admitted that long-term rival Hatton is still on his radar as ‘an itch he wants to scratch.’

The pair are already scheduled to headline on the same Sky Box Office Pay Per View Event on January 20th, but on different promotions.

Witter tops the bill on a Hennessy Sports show at the Alexandra Palace in the ‘First Defence’ of his title against tough Mexican Arturo Morua before coverage switches to Vegas, where Hatton takes on Juan Urango for his old IBF crown.

Should the pair ever share the same ring, it could prove the biggest fight in British Boxing history.

Witter, however, believes that the possibility may be at threat.

Not because of the cold water that Team Hatton have been attempting to pour on the fight, but from the effect of Father Time on his, ironically younger, potential opponent.

“Now that I have the world title I have always known I can win, I want to kick on and prove myself against all the big names in the division. That includes Ricky Hatton,” began Witter.

“I don’t go to bed thinking about him. Despite what some people would like us to believe, he is not my sole focus. But he is there. He is in my division and looking to get a world title back. And there is the history that everyone knows about. It would make sense to settle the score once and for all.

“It’s certainly something the public want; if we were both world champions I think it could be the biggest fight this country has seen. But as I’ve said before, he needs to show he is interested. It’s not about me chasing him; I have the WBC title now.

“Instead of looking to make the fight, his team seem to want to put obstacles in the way. But I don’t think that’s the biggest problem. These obstacles will be shown for what they are and I think there will be even more call for the fight after we have both boxed on the same PPV.

“I think the biggest problem is that Hatton is deteriorating. He has problems with his eyes and I know he has problems with his elbows. He lets his weight fluctuate as well and at some point it’s all going to catch up with him.

“It nearly did against Collazo, (his last fight), but he scraped through. There is a danger that he is going to lose to someone he wouldn’t have a couple of years ago and that would change the whole picture. I’m not saying it’s going to be Urango, but he’s tough and it’s a possibility.”

Witter has a tough opponent of his own to get past a week on Saturday at the Ally Pally. He faces Arturo Morua from Guadalajara, who holds win over Emanuel Augustus and recent Hatton opponent Carlos Maussa.

“Morua has come in for a bit of criticism, but I think that’s unfair,” added Witter, the former undefeated British, Commonwealth and European champion. “He looks a real handful and will come at me all night. He also deserves credit for taking the fight.

“I have two potentially tough mandatory defences coming up. There are eliminators being fought between Jose Luis Castillo and Herman Ngoudjo as well as Vivian Harris and Juan Lazcano and the WBC have mandated me to defend against the winners of both.

“I have been allowed to take a voluntary beforehand, which is important as I need to stay active whilst the eliminators take place. Morua, who has a good pedigree, was prepared to step up and face me when others weren’t, or were looking at other options. He more than deserves his chance.”

Hennessy Sports Proudly Present
First Defence
@ Alexandra Palace
Saturday 20th January

Tickets priced £40, £80 and £200 on 0870 060 1795.

12 x 3 WBC Light Welterweight Championship
Junior Witter vs. Arturo Morua
(Bradford) (Mexico)

12 x 3 British Light Welterweight Championship
Lenny Daws vs. Barry Morrison
(Morden) (Motherwell)

10 x 3 British Light Welterweight Championship Eliminator
Alan Bosworth vs. Ashley Theophane
(Northampton) (Paddington)

8 x 3 Lightweight
John Murray vs. TBA
(Manchester) ()

8 x 3 Cruiserweight
Troy Ross vs. Hastings Rasani
(Toronto) (Birmingham)

6 x 3 Super Bantamweight
Esham Pickering vs. TBA
(Newark) ()

6 x 3 Middleweight
Matthew Thirlwall vs. TBA
(Bermondsey) (Barnsley)

6 x 3 Light Middleweight
George Hillyard vs. Tony Rendall
(Canning Town) (Birmingham)

For more information please visit www.HennessySports.com.

The live Sky Box Office event on January 20th 2007 will be available to Sky digital viewers for £14.95 [€21.95 for ROI customers] on Sky Box Office channel 755. Viewers can order the event from Friday 13 January, by pressing the 'box office' button on their Sky remote handset or by calling 08705 800 888 [there is a £1 fee is for bookings made by telephone]. Cable customers should contact their local cable operator'.

The Witter-Hatton scenario pisses me right off, I've spent 6 years talking about it on various forums and we're still no closer to seeing the fight than the day I started.

Hatton, Graham, FW and FA have used every excuse in the book and they've invented a few more



Witter-Hatton
Enzo-Haye
Calzaghe-Froch/Woods

It turns my stomach that my beloved sport can't manage to stage any of the above fights. They couldn't organise an Alaskan snowball fight

When I win the lottery I'll show these promoters how it's done

This fight is only going to happen when either Hatton or Witter lose.

Neri1983 wrote:This fight is only going to happen when either Hatton or Witter lose.

I agree -if something on those lines causes a dramatic change on the scene. Most likely if Hatton loses.

Neri1983 wrote:This fight is only going to happen when either Hatton or Witter lose.

The fight won't happen if Witter loses, it'll just give the Hattons another excuse not to fight him. I'm convinced the Hattons don't like the style match-up and I'm not so sure I would, it makes for a fascinating fight IMO.

Hatton and Graham seem to come up with some great plans for opponents, but I bet it can't be easy to come up with a plan for Junior Witter. In saying that though I think IF Hatton gets to the halfway mark then his work rate will take over the fight and he'll win a UD,once Witter has lost his initial spark, Hatton should find it alot easier to get on the inside

Junior loads up and he's a natural counter-puncher, in many ways Hattons style is made for for Junior IMO, can Hatton regularly get the fight into close quarters without getting picked off on the way in?? Hattons boxing skills are under-rated IMO, but a fired up Junior must be a fcuking nightmare to fight

Has Witter got the power to stop Ricky?? Hattons chin has looked to be pretty solid. Cuts could also play in a BIG part in the fight, Hattons prone to the odd cut and Witters punches come from some very unorthodox angles (don't know if that makes them more likely to cut Ricky though )

Witters early or Hatton on points IMO.

Any other predictions on how the fight goes?? we seem to spend eons talking about why the fight should happen, but I don't seem to read many predictions, so nail your colours to the mast boys.

Witter KO5(possibly on cuts).......or Hatton UD

“It’s certainly something the public want; if we were both world champions I think it could be the biggest fight this country has seen. But as I’ve said before, he needs to show he is interested. It’s not about me chasing him; I have the WBC title now.

Well, it's certainly not about Hatton chasing Witter either! Witter must remember, Hatton is a bigger draw, crowd-puller than him. Not the other way around.

Hatton ate Collazos southpaw right hook all night, and he'd eat Witters much harder right hook too unless his defense was much improved. Eating Witters right hook spells disaster its far more of a powerful shot than Collazos is. Add to that, that Collazo nearly had Ricky out of there and you've goto fancy Witters chance of a KO.

Early going and Witters movement and counters would pick Hatton apart and outbox and hurt him. If Hatton survives and/or backs Witter up it will be interesting to see how Witter reacts to been backed up.

Juniors stamina/late rounds workrate is the 1 big chance Ricky has to overwhelm Witter and break him down. Against a pressure fighter it becomes interesting because although Witter may be tired there will be countless countering opportunities. Also Witters jab will be a big factor in this match up.

It would be a great fight, I pick Witter as the favourate by stoppage or UD. Ricky and Billy GRaham don't fancy there chances too much against Witter and thats why its never happened.

I could get egg on my face next week, but I think it is Witter's whose time is running out, not Ricky's.

I think both are on the slide, Witter isnt the boxer he was a few years back, but I still think he has the style and ability to beat Hatton, but to be honest I cant be bothered to call for this fight anymore, Witter should just get on with it and try and get the big fights and forget about Hatton... it would be ironic if Hatton were to lose and then call for a Witter fight, only for Witter to turn around and decide he doesnt need it anymore..... I've nothing against Hatton personally, but the way he has ducked Witter has been disgusting, he's still to prove himself the best 140 fighter in England and like it or not if he never fights Witter this will stain his legacy forever....

Rocky Balboa wrote:

“It’s certainly something the public want; if we were both world champions I think it could be the biggest fight this country has seen. But as I’ve said before, he needs to show he is interested. It’s not about me chasing him; I have the WBC title now.

Well, it's certainly not about Hatton chasing Witter either! Witter must remember, Hatton is a bigger draw, crowd-puller than him. Not the other way around.

Oh come on! what does it matter if Witter isnt the 'crowd puller' was Collazo a crowd puller??.... was Maussa??.... how many crowd pullers has Ricky actually fought??.... for the past 6 years or so Hatton vs Witter has been the biggest fight out there for Hatton and he's been afraid to take it... pure and simple!...

I'd like to see this fight, but in many ways Witter doesn't deserve to fight Ricky.

I have never forgotten Witter and Ingles's unbelievably disrespectful rant at Ricky after HAtton had just coem through a gruelling 12 round war.

That is just not done. Hatton has always shown class.

WItter knows his only big money fight and the only chance to make his name is in a fight with HAtton - and if I was Ricky I would think, fvck him, he doesn't deserve the chance.

E wrote:I'd like to see this fight, but in many ways Witter doesn't deserve to fight Ricky.

I have never forgotten Witter and Ingles's unbelievably disrespectful rant at Ricky after HAtton had just coem through a gruelling 12 round war.

That is just not done. Hatton has always shown class.

WItter knows his only big money fight and the only chance to make his name is in a fight with HAtton - and if I was Ricky I would think, fvck him, he doesn't deserve the chance.

And Fatton don't deserve all the millions he's made for fighting 1 big name over the hill fighter either.SFW

I dont believe for one minute that Hatton would stand there letting Witter tee off on him, as some of the Witter fans think would be the case and always have done.

It's plain stupidity to think that.

Hatton is leagues above the likes of Lynes when it comes to boxing ability, and he frustrated Witter with ease.

Hatton would do the just the same, and then break him down along the home stretch, although my guess is Witter would get on his bike after getting tagged a few times resulting in a large points defeat.

Twinkle Toes wrote:I dont believe for one minute that Hatton would stand there letting Witter tee off on him, as some of the Witter fans think would be the case and always have done.

It's plain stupidity to think that.

Hatton is leagues above the likes of Lynes when it comes to boxing ability, and he frustrated Witter with ease.

Hatton would do the just the same, and then break him down along the home stretch, although my guess is Witter would get on his bike after getting tagged a few times resulting in a large points defeat.

I don't think Hatton stands there and gets teed off on, I think he come in and gets countered time and again. Its ridicolous to see this fight as a none threat - HATTON AND BILLY GRAHAM SEE IT AS A HUGE THREAT.

Lets turn your point on its head - Witter is far better than Collazo and Maggee and they both gave Hatton nightmares.

Why do Hatton fans talk about Hatton stopping the best fighters in the world? Whos he stopped thats any good? And Tyszu wasn't stopped he quit. Did he stop Collazo? Phillips? Magee? Tackie? Thaxton? Vilches? NOPE to all. Maussa and Stewart who were both jokes and Olivera who was shot were stopped. Hatton is world class and capable (although I'd bet against it) of beating Mayweather and Witter but lets not pretend hes knocking everyone out.

Oh and Witter didnt train for Lynes - it wasnt a serious fight for him, he'd be far better prepared against Hatton

If It was only Hatton on the PPV I would of waited for a download but when they added Witter and British title fight, I decided I don't mind buying It.

Don't forget Hatton was nearly going to stay and fight Urkal at Welterweight, no way would that be worth buying!

How did Hatton get out of a Witter fight, even when FW had It written Into his contract though?

When asked the right questions, Hatton mentions Witter. Someone on his site interviewed him and asked If he could fight at Man City stadium and sell It out, who would Hatton like as an opponent and he mentioned Witter then.

Even If both as sliding I favour Witter a little, unless Hatton uses his defence this time.

Bradford’s Junior Witter, who made history in September by becoming the first ever Brit to win a WBC world championship at 140lb

I love that line... kind of like making history by becoming the first Britain to fly to Spain on Easy Jet... who gives a shit?

The fact is, Witter needs Hatton a lot more than Hatton needs Witter. It's always been the case, and no matter how much Witter bangs on about being a world champion, it's still true. Don't get me wrong, I want to see the fight as much as the next man. But Hatton does not need Witter, he's making Millions fighting the likes of Urango. Witter is making peanuts fighting.... well, whoever he fights.

As much as I hate suggesting it, Witter would be well-advised to just forget Hatton. It's a fight that has never been near getting made, and it's sure as shit not getting any closer to being made. If Junior really does have 'The Belt They All Want' (tm Hennessey Sports) then he should have no trouble getting some big fights. He should just tread his own path, beat some good opponents, and make a case for himself as the main man at 140lb's.

Internationally, Witter needs Hatton more. In Britain there will be some bitter fans for this fight not happening.

Dunno when this picture was dated either.

http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f148/ ... 70x365.jpg

Max Molyneux wrote:Internationally, Witter needs Hatton more. In Britain there will be some bitter fans for this fight not happening.

Dunno when this picture was dated either.

http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f148/ ... 70x365.jpg

Couple of years ago Max. Plus, it really is 'some' fans in Britain. Trust me, I want to see Hatton-Witter. But Witter's fanbase is pitifully small. Not that that's an excuse. But Christ, Witter couldn't even fill Ally Pally for a 'genuine' world title fight.

Aye people don't find Witter's style entertaining, but I prefer skill over caveman tactis sometimes.

I enjoyed Witter clowning Corley though.

Hatton doesn't realise his career has been easy compared to most fighters though yet In his book he thinks It wasn't.

Does Hatton really sell out places though outside of Manchester though? It's always been his Manchester fights that have sold out and most of them were Man City fans since he's a Man City fan himself.

I mean since Tszyu, his press conference's have hardly been to much heard of. Theres been the odd BBC news report but that was mostly Graham talking about reptiles and Georgia.

PPV Isn't bought as much over here as It Is In America though either and even their It's small numbers compared to the size of America, so he's not going to be the big name here he wants on Sky Box Office.

What annoys me is I don't see why Hatton & Witter couldn't have fought 2/3 times and still gone out and taken on the rest of the world.

He may not be able to sell out venues everywhere he goes, no. But Hatton fought Justin Rowsell, for the WBU title at Wembley Conference Centre. Which would be too big a venue for, say, Witter. And this was relatively early in Hattons career.

Hatton is not as big a star as he would have been had he stayed with Frank and fought on ITV. But to sell the number of tickets he has done, despite spending his entire career away from terrestrial TV is an amazing achievement. More people showed up to watch him in Manchester (Man City fans or not) than show up to the big fights in Vegas/L.A./N.Y., generally speaking.

Goz wrote:What annoys me is I don't see why Hatton & Witter couldn't have fought 2/3 times and still gone out and taken on the rest of the world.

Quite. It's fornicating annoying.

I don't think anyone could be impressed with Witter vs Corely - Yes, he won big - but it stank and he beat a guy with as much ambition as Peter Buckley (sorry, Peter).

If you were impressed with the 2-3 punches that Witter landed clean per round, then your very easily impressed. Yes, I cannot remember Corley landing anything clean, but I cannot remember him throwing anything also.

Witter has been dissapointed and shown flaws in his last 4 fights.... Although for the first 4/5 rounds vs Ndou he looked like the second best Light Welter on the planet (behind Mayweather).