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An exciting weekend of World Championship action kicks off on Friday evening when Junior Witter takes on Demarcus Corley for the vacant WBC Light Welterweight Title on a Hennessy Sports promotion at London’s Alexandra Palace.
For Witter, this is his chance to shine. With only one defeat in a 36 fight career, |
which occurred in June 2000 in Glasgow, Scotland when he stepped in as a late subsitute against highly rated American Zab Judah. In that bout “The Hitter” acquitted himself well before dropping a decision. Now Junior has his second bite of the cherry.
Since turning pro, Witter has won all possible titles available to him at domestic and European level at 140 pounds. He is the current European and Commonwealth Champion, having given up the British recently.
Over the years in Britain, Witter has lived in the shadow of domestic rival Ricky Hatton. He was ringside when Hatton won the British title in 2000 and ever since has being calling out the Hitman’s name. Whilst Hatton has gone on to win major world titles in 2 weight divisions, as well as Ring Magazine’s junior welterweight championship belt, Witter has remained in the background fighting on Hatton undercards whilst waiting for a showdown with the Mancunian.
With a Hatton vs. Witter showdown looking unlikely to happen, Junior resigned himself to taking on lesser calibre opponents to keep busy. However, in that time Witter has still managed to win titles at domestic and European level.
Witter’s class is undeniable and in his biggest test he appeared on the undercard of Bernard Hopkins’ title defence against Howard Eastman in February 2005. Against Lovemore N’dou, Witter showed his ability, winning an impressive decision.
Corley, from Washington DC, is the same age as Witter at 32. In a 36 fight career, he has fought the best in the 140 pound division. Unfortunately for Demarcus, this has more often than not ended up in defeat.
Losses in 2 WBO title bouts against Zab Judah and Miguel Cotto in 2003 and 2005 and a non title fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr., in 2004 prove this. However, this also showed that Demarcus could hang with the cream of the division as Cotto was the only man to stop him. Let’s also not forget that before all this, Corley was actually a WBO World Champion, making 2 succesful defences.
In analysing this bout, you can make a case for both men. Corley has the experience and has fought the bigger names. Witter however, is hungry and after years of missing out on the big bouts, is anxious to make up for lost time.
I think this is a fight that could go either way. However, home advanage and Witter’s switch hitting style could swing this for him. Witter has admitted that this shot could be his last chance and I feel that’s what will make him make this chance count.
