BoxRec

DiBella is talking about arranging a 140lbs-tournament amongst the current champs (Rees/Witter/Malginaggi/Torres) to determine a unified champ.

He said he's talked to Showtime about televising, possibly with a the 1st round being a split site with Witter v. Rees (WBC/WBA) in England and Malginaggi v. Torres (IBF/WBO) in NYC, and then the winners facing each other in March for the unified title.

Sounds a great idea, but I'm not too sure if allegedly (and possibly Rees) will be too keen on the Witter fight

I agree with you that it sounds great, and also that it's highly doubtful Frank in particular would be willing to let this happen without getting his finger - actually most of his limbs - into the cash pie.

Oh yes, Rees's participation will more than likely be a major sticking point and will probably scupper the deal.

DiBella is a bit of a spin merchant himself though. When Jermain Taylor fought Cory Spinks DiBella claimed (according to HBO's Jim Lampley) he had offered the fight to the likes of Abraham, Sturm and Pavlik etc and also offered $1 million to amongst others...Javier Castillejo. But they all turned him down?!?! The first lot fair enough but why would 39 year old Castillejo turn down a mil to fight for the undisputed titles in America

He might as well crown Witter the champ as he'd beat them anyway.

How bad terms did Witter and Warren part ways.

I wonder if this deal comes off and say Warren and Dibella are they chief promoters.... then maybe if there is options on Witter if he beats Rees then Warren would be interested.

stujones wrote:How bad terms did Witter and Warren part ways.

I wonder if this deal comes off and say Warren and Dibella are they chief promoters.... then maybe if there is options on Witter if he beats Rees then Warren would be interested.

I doubt it would be too difficult for FW to tempt Witter back after his paydays and exposure with Hennessy

Coco wrote:

stujones wrote:How bad terms did Witter and Warren part ways.

I wonder if this deal comes off and say Warren and Dibella are they chief promoters.... then maybe if there is options on Witter if he beats Rees then Warren would be interested.

I doubt it would be too difficult for FW to tempt Witter back after his paydays and exposure with Hennessy

It would be like nothing like the exposure Witter would get on ITV 1 (on an Amir Bill).

Max Molyneux wrote:He might as well crown Witter the champ as he'd beat them anyway.

I prefer the tournament idea.

Witter Is the superior fighter though.

Witter wouldn't of lost to someone who just pressures and body punches and fouls like Cotto. Cotto's opponents like Hatton's have been chosen right.

As much as I like Rees Witter will beat the crap out of him.

In the British p4p Witter Is 2nd only to Calzaghe, Hatton should be 3rd unless he beats Mayweather.

Max Molyneux wrote:In the British p4p Witter Is 2nd only to Calzaghe, Hatton should be 3rd unless he beats Mayweather.

I don't think so. Hatton would smash Witter's face in.

I think Rees will put up more of a fight than Harris did also.

This won't happen. Anyone think Frank will want to let that WBA title go? Can anyone see Frank and Lou working together after Lou took the piss out of Warren for "lowballing" Taylor i.e. not coming up with a ludicrous $10m for the Calzaghe fight? Also, the style clashes don't look like pleasant ones. Chances are a final would be Witter-Malignaggi. They will not gel and Showtime will not buy.

1 more thing. Hatton is the top man in the division and they're having a tournament that ignores him? I know Hatton is more of a big fight seeker than a guy who keeps belts, but it would still seem incongruous.

Lou thinks Paulie is the best in the division. He is not. He's locked into a rematch with Lovemore fricking N'dou because when they fought, the ref wouldn't let N'dou work inside! Now, if you're not allowed to rough up Paulie, not to mention DiBella fighters get odd decisions, not to mention that DiBella has to have home advantage...it all stinks.

The only argument at 140 is between Hatton and Witter. These are the clear #1 and #2.

Max Molyneux wrote:Witter Is the superior fighter though.

Witter wouldn't of lost to someone who just pressures and body punches and fouls like Cotto. Cotto's opponents like Hatton's have been chosen right.

As much as I like Rees Witter will beat the crap out of him.

In the British p4p Witter Is 2nd only to Calzaghe, Hatton should be 3rd unless he beats Mayweather.

Hatton has beat better fighters, probably achieved more than Calzaghe.

Hatton is number one.

Calzaghe needs to beat Kessler to have a shot at number one status, and even then, Hatton could beat Mayweather, and that would retain his number one place.

One win over Vivian Harris(no matter how impressive)does'nt bump Witter into the top 3 I'am afraid.

Autobarn wrote: 1 more thing. Hatton is the top man in the division and they're having a tournament that ignores him?

Hmm. This might be another factor which tempts Frank into signing up for the tournie.

IMO this is a DiBella vanity project to promote Malignaggi

The winner of this mooted tournament, would be a perfect opponent for Hatton, who is recognised as the number one light welter, and has been since beating Tszyu.

This would be great idea but I think Francis will spoil the party. He's got the weakest champion but will want the most control.

IMO Hatton can't be classed as definately being the top man at 140 unless he is willing to defend his title against the best at 140, which he hasn't done since beating Kostya

yiddo14 wrote:The winner of this mooted tournament, would be a perfect opponent for Hatton, who is recognised as the number one light welter, and has been since beating Tszyu.

Yeah, it sort of reminds me of the Michael Spinks situation when there was the Heavyweight title tourny in 1986/1987.

Chambers2 wrote:IMO Hatton can't be classed as definately being the top man at 140 unless he is willing to defend his title against the best at 140, which he hasn't done since beating Kostya

I think Hatton would beat Witter but others dont agree, so as you rightly say there is only one way to prove who is the better man at 140lbs - At the moment Hatton is focussed on the Mayweather fight which is the correct thing to do but if he loses, a fight with Witter I think, has to be considered - If he wins, my bet is he will be looking for a fight with Cotto, but a huge money bout with Oscar is even more likely, win or lose to Mayweather so yet again Hatton/Witter wont happen - Very frustrating for us, but its steak and chips or egg and chips and team Hatton prefer steak.

last time we had a tournament was at middleweight back in 2001.

a tournament without hatton means nothing really.

i suppose tempting hatton is behind all this from di bella's look out.

Hatton would be the prize at the end of all of this presumably, Ricky is the one guy who doesn't need to participate as he's the biggest draw in the division by far.

As I mentioned on current scene: this is good news for Ricky - he can just fight the winner and walk off linear and undisputed champ (and hopefully still undefeated)

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Hatton would be the prize at the end of all of this presumably, Ricky is the one guy who doesn't need to participate as he's the biggest draw in the division by far.

I agree Ricky doesnt need to get involved in eliminators at his level - Anyway he may never fight at 140 again - Rees is up for a fight with Witter but would Frank agree, I dont think so - He will want Rees to defend against weaker opponents for a while.

WildWaylon wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Hatton would be the prize at the end of all of this presumably, Ricky is the one guy who doesn't need to participate as he's the biggest draw in the division by far.

I agree Ricky doesnt need to get involved in eliminators at his level - Anyway he may never fight at 140 again - Rees is up for a fight with Witter but would Frank agree, I dont think so - He will want Rees to defend against weaker opponents for a while.

Rees is keeping the belt warm, ready for Amir's arrival at 140.

Rees has his mandatory after Salita (IF he beats Salita) anyway, so he can't participate in this tournament unless they postpone it six months or so.