BoxRec

Anyone disappointed in his showing versus Lazcano?

Looking at Harris at times overwhelmed by the workrate of the Texan, really makes me appreciate Castillo's smart as f uck showing against the same man.

Castillo went into Lazcano with little stamina (making 135 for the first time in 2 years), and yet outboxed him over the first and second thirds of the fight, carving his face up.

Harris could easily have lost that fight, and the authority went right out of his work when Lazcano pressured him, in spite of those beautiful straight hard shots that he's capable of.


On the Sky interview, Witter looked like he was in top shape. His face was as thin as when he fights. I think Jr will be troubled by Harris' clean straight and accurate punching. But I do think his weirdness will unsettle Harris. IMO Witter wins his mandatory on points.

I didn't think he was too great, no. He definitely seemed to get a little flustered when Lazcano was getting in close to him. I thought Stevie Johnson, despite being past his best and fighting at a weight not suited to him, was able to ruffle Harris's feathers on the odd occasion when he got inside as well.

However, what are the chances of Witter rushing headfirst into Harris? Virtually nil I'd say. I'm starting to lean towards Witter winning an absolute stinker against Harris. However, when he's on his game, Harris throws some lovely straight shots, as you say, and Witter is going to keep it at a distance where Vicious Viv will be more comfortable. Junior leaves himself open a little I feel when he's switching stance, and if Harris can time one of those right hands down the middle when Witter is squared up, things could get very interesting.

Harris is been talked down because of a close fight. Yes Lazcanno ran him close, but Lazcannos pretty good and a hard style match up for Harris. Witter will not be able to pressurise the way Lazcanno did and it will be an outside fight, which is both fighters game

Harris is 1 of the best around on the outside and his fast accurate powerful 1-2s may tag Witter clean. Harris is an excellent outside boxer and far rangier than Witter with more compact punching. Witter has more tricks but his shots are more telegraphed. I'm really not sure how this 1 will go and its a nervous match up for a Witter fan. I actually this Hatton would be an easier fight for Witter than Harris.

states wrote:I thought Stevie Johnson, despite being past his best and fighting at a weight not suited to him, was able to ruffle Harris's feathers on the odd occasion when he got inside as well.

I'm a wee bit surprised at this states, i don't recall Johnston landing anything of note, he looked a faded fighter in that fight. Judging by his narrow win over Tyrone Harris recently he seems a seriously faded fighter.

Harris does have lapses but i think he has enough in his arsenal to make this Witter fight interesting.

It was more the fact that as soon as he got right on top of Harris, Viv didn't look as comfortable as he did on the outside. I agree that Harris won at a canter, and Johnson never really landed anything troubling. More an observation that I don't think Harris likes it when a guy gets on his chest. But as Witter won't do that, I don't see it being an issue in a Witter-Harris bout.

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Harris is been talked down because of a close fight. Yes Lazcanno ran him close, but Lazcannos pretty good and a hard style match up for Harris. Witter will not be able to pressurise the way Lazcanno did and it will be an outside fight, which is both fighters game

Harris is 1 of the best around on the outside and his fast accurate powerful 1-2s may tag Witter clean. Harris is an excellent outside boxer and far rangier than Witter with more compact punching. Witter has more tricks but his shots are more telegraphed. I'm really not sure how this 1 will go and its a nervous match up for a Witter fan. I actually this Hatton would be an easier fight for Witter than Harris.

definitely, an outside fight will be suited to Harris, allowing him to fight at his own pace.

Vivian's very well coordinated, and clean in his punching. His straight shots would seem to land before Witter's wide ones.

I think Witter will win. I hope he does but Harris might be 'wrong' for Witter in the way Lazcano was wrong for Harris.

Witter has to get him frustrated. Harris is so unpredictable and temperamental. I had him losing the first Urkal fight yet he demolished the guy in the rematch.

It's still a quality matchup in an underrated division. But Harris-Lazcano could've gone either way, win, lose or draw.

states wrote:It was more the fact that as soon as he got right on top of Harris, Viv didn't look as comfortable as he did on the outside. I agree that Harris won at a canter, and Johnson never really landed anything troubling. More an observation that I don't think Harris likes it when a guy gets on his chest. But as Witter won't do that, I don't see it being an issue in a Witter-Harris bout.

Fair comment Interesting to see what style Witter adopts to deal with Harris. Doubt Junior would be comfortable engaging on the inside all night.

I have a nasty feeling that Harris is going to win this with something to spare which, considering all the hard work that Witter's put in after the Judah fight, would be a shame.

If Harris wins, it'll be because he's better. Witter hasn't really put in any hard work after Judah. I agree that he's hardly had an easy route to the top, not compared to some, but he's never been the outcast that he likes to make out. Exactly how many world-class fighters did Witter have to beat to get a shot at the WBC belt? N'Dou was the best he faced. 'Witter as the hard done-by outcast' is getting a little tiring.

states wrote:If Harris wins, it'll be because he's better. Witter hasn't really put in any hard work after Judah. I agree that he's hardly had an easy route to the top, not compared to some, but he's never been the outcast that he likes to make out. Exactly how many world-class fighters did Witter have to beat to get a shot at the WBC belt? N'Dou was the best he faced. 'Witter as the hard done-by outcast' is getting a little tiring.

he's not been given the chance for the big matchups, hence his frustration. A win over, eg, Hatton at any point from 2001 onward would have been a huge boost to his career.

Of course a Hatton fight would have been a huge boost. But look at the opportunities Witter has had: Warren delivered the British, Commonwealth and European titles, a shot against Judah, albeit at short notice, and a shot at the WBO title, and all this when Hatton was his 140lb golden boy. Since leaving Sports Network he's won himself the WBC title. He's fought on SKY (in front of some big crowds, even though they mostly hated him), the BBC and he was the first fighter, after Amir Khan's Kindelan rematch, to be shown by ITV when they made their comeback. There's plenty of fighters who'd love to be as frustrated as that.

Just because Hatton hasn't fought him doesn't mean he hasn't had the chance to make a name for himself.

That is incorrect Maussa, and you know it is, but as most Witter fans tend to ignore it, I'll point it out again.

Witter had a fight in the bag with Pinto (interim WBO title) the only reason the fight didnt happen was because Witter pulled a sicky. By not taking that fight and consequently leaving SN he set himslef back a good couple of years.

This for me is the single biggest factor why we haven't seen Hatton/Witter fighting.

Witter chose his own path, and as far as I am concerned, it is he who walked from a fight with Hatton.

Twinkle Toes wrote:That is incorrect Maussa, and you know it is, but as most Witter fans tend to ignore it, I'll point it out again.

Witter had a fight in the bag with Pinto (interim WBO title) the only reason the fight didnt happen was because Witter pulled a sicky. By not taking that fight and consequently leaving SN he set himslef back a good couple of years.

This for me is the single biggest factor why we haven't seen Hatton/Witter fighting.

Witter chose his own path, and as far as I am concerned, it is he who walked from a fight with Hatton.

Thats the funniest post of the week - he'd fight Hatton any day of the week but 'it is he who walked from a fight with Hatton'.

If a fighter losses because their unfit to fight we say they should have pulled out, Witter pulled out, why its doubted he was injured I'm unsure, other than the pure hate from raging Hattonites.

viciousmaussa wrote:

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Harris is been talked down because of a close fight. Yes Lazcanno ran him close, but Lazcannos pretty good and a hard style match up for Harris. Witter will not be able to pressurise the way Lazcanno did and it will be an outside fight, which is both fighters game

Harris is 1 of the best around on the outside and his fast accurate powerful 1-2s may tag Witter clean. Harris is an excellent outside boxer and far rangier than Witter with more compact punching. Witter has more tricks but his shots are more telegraphed. I'm really not sure how this 1 will go and its a nervous match up for a Witter fan. I actually this Hatton would be an easier fight for Witter than Harris.

definitely, an outside fight will be suited to Harris, allowing him to fight at his own pace.

Vivian's very well coordinated, and clean in his punching. His straight shots would seem to land before Witter's wide ones.

I think Witter will win. I hope he does but Harris might be 'wrong' for Witter in the way Lazcano was wrong for Harris.

Witter has to get him frustrated. Harris is so unpredictable and temperamental. I had him losing the first Urkal fight yet he demolished the guy in the rematch.

It's still a quality matchup in an underrated division. But Harris-Lazcano could've gone either way, win, lose or draw.

Yes I think it will actually turn into a war at mid range and personally expect a KO. Harris has the better more straight rangier punching, Witter has the btter ring smarts, tricks, and unorthodox ability. Also I think this is a fight where Witters countering ability will come into play big time.

states wrote:Of course a Hatton fight would have been a huge boost. But look at the opportunities Witter has had: Warren delivered the British, Commonwealth and European titles, a shot against Judah, albeit at short notice, and a shot at the WBO title, and all this when Hatton was his 140lb golden boy. Since leaving Sports Network he's won himself the WBC title. He's fought on SKY (in front of some big crowds, even though they mostly hated him), the BBC and he was the first fighter, after Amir Khan's Kindelan rematch, to be shown by ITV when they made their comeback. There's plenty of fighters who'd love to be as frustrated as that.

Just because Hatton hasn't fought him doesn't mean he hasn't had the chance to make a name for himself.

Your post is flawed on a number of points.
It was Chris Sanigar who promoted Junior for the British Title Warren was outbidded by a promoter who didnt even have a TV contract.In other words SN were not interested in that fight.They promoted the Commonwealth and 1 defence.The European title was promoted by Hennessy after Warren won the bid then defaulted.
1.Hennessy then promoted Juniors next 3 Euro title defences.
2.WBC Eliminator against Ndou.
3.World Title Challenge against Corley
4.World Title Defence against Morua.
5.The Pinto fight was a supposedly "Interim World Title fight" which was never sanctioned as such by the WBO,and was basically a ploy to extend Witters promotional deal with Warren.Luckily for Witter he injured his hand.Left Warren and never looked back.
6.He was never offered a WBO World Title fight although he was #1 contender for over a year.
In hindsight it was just as well WBC is the recognised #1 title to hold WBO is the #4 title to have.
I doubt Witter will be letting go of that title anytime soon.
Harris has been exposed by Maussa he can be knocked out,Witter has never been knocked out and has taken shot from the best eg Judah Corley.

My apologies then. I thought Witter won the European belt on a Warren show? It was on a Hatton undercard, If I remember correctly.

The point is, Witter has hardly been short of chances. He may not have had the exposure of the likes of Khan, or Hatton or Calzaghe, but he's had a lot more than most.

EDIT: No, I was wrong again. That was the EBU-EU title. I'm shooting myself in the foot quite nicely here.

harris looked average.

especially his inside game.

hatton would have cleaned him out a couple of years back.

witter-harris will be a tactical affair.

i see witter's speed of punch making the difference and clinching a decision.

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:
Thats the funniest post of the week - he'd fight Hatton any day of the week but 'it is he who walked from a fight with Hatton'.

If a fighter losses because their unfit to fight we say they should have pulled out, Witter pulled out, why its doubted he was injured I'm unsure, other than the pure hate from raging Hattonites.

Hello? knock knock, is anyone there?

I didnt say Witter wouldnt fight him, I said he walked away from the fight due to ending his affiliation with Wárren - I'm not quite sure how you could fail to understand the point I was making.

Hatton was still happy with SN at that time, and I am pretty confident that the supposed contract stipulation of a fight with Witter would have been enforced in early 2004 - Witter voided that by ending any association with SN, and then proceeded to fight a stablemate in a nightclub.

That was purely his own choice and in my humble opinion he was most probably mis-advised by the Ingle clan.

As for the injury? - It is common knowledge that Witter pulled a sicky - You don't belive it, then fair enough. I do :)

i personally think he's been right to leave warren.

hatton has now also left warren and a hatton fight is still a possibility for him.

he's got himself a world title and a decent money earner.

Twinkle Toes wrote:That is incorrect Maussa, and you know it is, but as most Witter fans tend to ignore it, I'll point it out again.

Witter had a fight in the bag with Pinto (interim WBO title) the only reason the fight didnt happen was because Witter pulled a sicky. By not taking that fight and consequently leaving SN he set himslef back a good couple of years.

This for me is the single biggest factor why we haven't seen Hatton/Witter fighting.

Witter chose his own path, and as far as I am concerned, it is he who walked from a fight with Hatton.

You clearly do not understand the situation!

Fwank Warren never had any intention of lining up Witter as an opponent for Hatton when both were fighting under the Sports Network banner. Warren considered Witter too tricky, too live and too risky an opponent to put in his with prized-money making asset. Warren had no interest in wrecking or even jeopardising the lucrative stream of cash that Hatton generated - and certainly Warren wasnt going to gamble that against one of his own fighters who clearly didnt have anywhere near the potential to earn him the sort of money Hatton could.

Look at the situation logically...Fwank Warren was never going to stitch himself up financially, and put himself out of pocket was he? Indeed Hatton knew that Warren would never consider the fight and so Hatton was forced into insisting on having a clause put into his Sports Network contract that ensured that should he ask Warren for a fight with Witter, Warren was contractually obliged to make it. Surely if Fwank Warren and Sports Network were so keen for the fight to happen, a clause insisting on the fight wouldnt even needed to have been considered???

I wouldnt at all be surprised to find out that the day Witter left Sports Network, Warren breathed a huge sigh of relief in terms of Hatton's contractual clause in relation to a fight with Witter becoming void.

Whyever you think Witter leaving Warren and Sports Network has got anything to do with the fight not happening is beyond me!(??) In the first instance Witter would never have got the fight even if he was still with Sports Network to this day - indeed Witter had over 5 years with Sports Network and still didnt get the fight! To say Witter walked away from a fight with Hatton is so untrue.

But also, has it failed to register with you that Hatton hasnt been with Sport Network for nearly 1 and-a-half years. That means that since Ricky's victory over Kosta Tszyu, Sports Network have not even been a factor in Hatton v Witter. Therefore excuses involving who left Sports Network etc, do not carry any substance whatsoever when attempting to determine who is to blame for Witter v Hatton not happening.

The fact is, at present Ricky Hatton is clearly the one who doesnt fancy a fight with Witter - that much is indisputable.

Twinkle Toes wrote:

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:
Thats the funniest post of the week - he'd fight Hatton any day of the week but 'it is he who walked from a fight with Hatton'.

If a fighter losses because their unfit to fight we say they should have pulled out, Witter pulled out, why its doubted he was injured I'm unsure, other than the pure hate from raging Hattonites.

Hello? knock knock, is anyone there?

I didnt say Witter wouldnt fight him, I said he walked away from the fight due to ending his affiliation with Wárren - I'm not quite sure how you could fail to understand the point I was making.

Hatton was still happy with SN at that time, and I am pretty confident that the supposed contract stipulation of a fight with Witter would have been enforced in early 2004 - Witter voided that by ending any association with SN, and then proceeded to fight a stablemate in a nightclub.

That was purely his own choice and in my humble opinion he was most probably mis-advised by the Ingle clan.

As for the injury? - It is common knowledge that Witter pulled a sicky - You don't belive it, then fair enough. I do :)

Well Hatton has now proved he would never have fought Witter anyway. He could have Witter for the WBC instead of Urango for the IBF but didn't. That said all there is to say about the chances of it having happened without a belt - NILL

As for the sicky been common knowledge, its a common accusation but that doesn't make it true. Why do we believe its a sick note and not genuine? Maybe it was a political sick note maybe not