BoxRec

Witter-Harris heads to UK



Hennessy Sports are pleased to announce that Junior Witter will make the second defence of his WBC light welterweight title against former world champion Vivian Harris in the UK this summer.

The right to stage the Championship was due to have been decided by a purse bid at 6pm GMT today, but Witter’s promoter Mick Hennessy was able to agree terms with his counterpart Gary Shaw beforehand.

Former undefeated British, Commonwealth and European champion Witter won the title by dominating former world champion DeMarcus Corley at the Alexandra Palace last September and made his first defence at the same venue in January, stopping Mexico’s Arturo Morua in nine rounds.

Harris has outstanding world championship credentials of his own. He defeated now WBA champion Soulemane M’Baye to lift the same crown in 2003, then twice successfully defended against the highly rated Oktay Urkal, stopping his man second time round.

He suffered a shock defeat to Carlos Maussa next time out, but has since returned to outstanding form, stopping Stevie Johnston in seven before outpointing the highly regarded Juan Lazcano in an eliminator for Witter’s title.

“I can see this being a cracking fight,” said Witter on hearing the news. “Harris is a top level operator and he always comes to win. I hear the Americans are tipping him to do big things in the division. He will be coming over to knock me out, but that will just bring out the best in me.

“It’s been great winning and defending my title in Britain and it means a lot to be able to continue that process.”

Details of the date and venue will be announced in due course by Hennessy Sports.

“This is a tough first mandatory,” said Mick Hennessy. “But that’s how it should be; this is the WBC title. Harris has regained the top form that was making people talk very highly of him a couple of years ago when he beat Soulemane M’Baye and then Oktay Urkal twice in his backyard. Both these fighters go for the knockout, so I believe this is going to be an explosive fight.”

Massive fight, 2 top4 light welters. Witter can win this with ring smarts, but Harris long straight shots maybe tough to deal with.

I like Witter, but i've always said that Harris will beat him, he's fast and as you said throws straight shots, and can punch.

Great fight and excellent that MH has secured Witter home advantage. Looks almost 50/50 with the edge to Witter. Both can punch hard enough to take the other out as well.

If Maussa can knock him out so can Junior. I think Witter will win, probably be in July I would imagine.

Junior doesn't box that much anymore, he seems to be relient on catching people with one big shot, if he got back to boxing again i'd favour him more, but Harris will outwork him, and i think stop Witter

Witter will beat him, I think Witter will box well as he know Harris is a live opponent.

I hope this fight ends up at Ally Pally - it will mean another beano in london at the fights followed by all night filth at the russian bar in shoreditch - top night out!

Good fight, SHAME its in the UK though IMO.

Witter needs US exposure, I am sure this would have been a US TV fight, but cannot imagine it being so now.

Good fight, and exposure notwithstanding, good for Junior that he's got home advantage. Harris is definitely a tough fight.

Sadly, I can't help but think it's going to be very dull. I have visions of Harris catching Witter with one of those straight rights when Junior is switching stance, and Witter subsequently going ultra-defensive.

I used to believe Harris was the sleeper @ 140 but he is not the same fighter he was a few years ago. He's lost his edge and I believe Witter will expose it. Had (the past his prime) Lascano pressed the action just a little bit more, I believe he would have taken Harris' heart. I like Witter by mid-late rd stoppage.


How's it going Stu? I remember you from the old boxingranks site. Too bad the site went offline. It was a good site where I received alot of useful info from the Euro scene. Hope all is well.

Romi wrote:I used to believe Harris was the sleeper @ 140 but he is not the same fighter he was a few years ago. He's lost his edge and I believe Witter will expose it. Had (the past his prime) Lascano pressed the action just a little bit more, I believe he would have taken Harris' heart. I like Witter by mid-late rd stoppage.


How's it going Stu? I remember you from the old boxingranks site. Too bad the site went offline. It was a good site where I received alot of useful info from the Euro scene. Hope all is well.

What was your handle on boxingranks?

More than welcome to post here. I have occasionally emailed the boxingranks guys - but they don't seem to want to post here which is a shame. Although Conan makes the odd visit.

Thanks for the welcome. I was Romiho over there. I posted on occasion for about 1 1/2 yrs. I made an attempt to keep the posts flowing after Howie shut it down but it slowly died out. One of the guys had a different site but I had trouble logging on and eventually said fck it. I've talked to Conan a few times over here on the betting thread. I like the forums @boxrec minus the occasional trolling aholes. I'm a pretty heavy bettor and always like to hear the different opinions even if I don't agree. I'm one of the few states side fans that studies the Euro scene to some degree. My roots are Irish on my moms side so of course I root for the very rare world class Irish fighter. I don't have much faith in Duddy but Dunne could possibly cross over and Andy Lee is showing much promise. Many American fans tend to bash it but the Euro scene is red hot and it's always fun to see how they do against the top yanks. If the promotors and networks over here got a little wise, boxing could be sizzling. As is, we occasionally get a taped delayed version of the big Euro fights. It's good to see your posts again.

Quality defence for Witter. Not much confidence but I'd go for Witter to win on points, slightly quicker on the trigger. I think Harris will be advised to box at range to make an easier nights work, like against Lazcano, Harris was in control when he kept behind the jab but goes to sleep at times, as does Witter.

I hope this fights in Sheffield then I might go.

Witter by KO!

Anyone who gets KTFO by Maussa ain't beating Witter.

As a form guide, I reckon you can throw out the Maussa result though. He was running on empty after 2 rounds, and previous shows he can do A LOT better than that.

Witter can hurt him with those slashing punches of his, but Vicious Viv probably hits just as hard when it comes down to it.

Excellent fight for a change.

Max Molyneux wrote:
Anyone who gets KTFO by Maussa ain't beating Witter.

Something wrong with Harris that night, it was a freak loss. Witter will be facing a much better version of Harris.

Nothing in this fight would suprise me, I edge towards Witter but anything can happen with this match up. An early KO for either wouldn't be unlikely (both can really bang), the styles may make for a war or it may be a very close tactical affair or a shut out for either man.

An exciting prospect none the less

TerribleTerry wrote:I hope this fight ends up at Ally Pally - it will mean another beano in london at the fights followed by all night filth at the russian bar in shoreditch - top night out!

Witter should win this one I think.... tell us more about this Russian Bar though??!... 8)

This Is a fight worth going the pub for though, I'm preferring fighters like Witter who like to use skill and are not typical like boxers just covering up and using the basics.

Calzaghe's the same he doesn't have a typical style.

i think witter wins by late stoppage as harris has lost it of late. i question vivs heart these days but he is a quality opponent and this outstrips warrens latest cards by a mile

Its good to see Witter getting decent fights and staying active... he's making Hatton look bad by comparison imo...

Witter's last few performances have been poor, so he's really going to have to step it up for this one because Harris is a real test. In fact, I can see Harris winning this one on points.

no way - we'll get a good set of judges in place dont worry about that

Hennassy is a far better promoter for the fans if you compair Witters opponents with hattons, Murry's with Kahn and Froch's with Calzaghe's they all come accross as much more hungry