De La Hoya Backing Witter and Froch

Hennessy Sports Carl Froch and Junior Witter – who co-headline at the Nottingham Arena on Saturday July 9th – have come in for glowing praise from six-weight world champion Oscar de la Hoya for flying the flag for Britain on the world stage.

De la Hoya – who’s Golden Boy Promotions have formed a strategic partnership with Hennessy Sports – witnessed Froch stop the highly ranked Henry Porras and Witter dominate the world class Lovemore N’Dou from ringside in America recently.

“I respect what Junior and Carl are doing because they want to truly be genuine “world” champions,” said de la Hoya.

“That means going outside of your home country if that’s what it takes to fight the best competition and improve your game.

“Their commitment to being the best is obvious, and US fans love fighters who are willing to put it on the line each and every time out.

“Junior and Carl are obviously different fighters with their own distinct styles, but they share one thing in common – the desire to be the best and to test themselves against top opposition.

“It’s a trait that will carry both of them very far in this game. I would be shocked if they didn’t have genuine world title belts around their waists within the next 12 months.”

The Golden Boy, who should know a top fighter when he sees one, continued: “For a fighter making his US debut in just his 15th fight, I was amazed with Carl’s poise against Henry Porras. Nothing shook him at all, and he was impressive in stopping a very tough opponent.”

On Witter he added: “Power, speed, style – Junior showed it all against Lovemore N’Dou, and to beat a world-class fighter like that just confirms our belief that he is going to be a world champion very soon.”

CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, Richard Schaefer, was similarly impressed.

He said: “I think they’ve made a big impact already. American fans have heard of European fighters being reluctant to leave their home countries to fight abroad, but Witter and Froch have shattered that notion by making it clear that they will go wherever they have to go to become world champions.”

There are plenty more excursions to follow.

“Me and Frochy loved bringing the heat to America, so after we have taken care of business on July 9th we will be looking to head back out there as soon as possible,” said WBC #3 Witter, who next defends his European title against tough mandatory contender Andreas Kotelnik.

“By getting us fighting on both sides of the pond, Hennessy Sports have given us a fantastic opportunity. It is something no other promotional outfit can offer.”

Witter added: “I am going to target – and beat – the best light welterweights in the world.

“I want Floyd Mayweather, Arturo Gatti, Miguel Cotto and Kostya Tszyu, once he has finished with Hatton.

“At some point I will still want to squeeze Ricky in as well. It’s not about business, its personal. I want to knock him out.

“I am happy to go to all their backyards to do it; to prove to British fans that I can beat anyone anywhere.

“At the end of the day, that is what this is all about – getting the nation behind me and in love with the sport once again.

“I’m not going to do that by fighting soft touches, or hiding behind fringe titles.”

Like Witter, Hennessy Sports teammate Carl Froch is also doing things the hard, and proper, way.

“From day one, I have said I want to prove to British fans that I am the best by beating the best,” said Froch.

”That is why after just only 15 fights I have won English, British and Commonwealth titles and been to America to beat a world-ranked opponent.

“Imagine what I will do in my next 10 fights.

“Alongside Junior and the rest of the Hennessy Sports boys, I am going to make British Boxing great again.

The undefeated “Cobra’ added: “After I have finished clearing up over here – and that includes knocking out Joe Calzaghe – I am going to go to America and take out their best Jeff Lacy in style.

“Whoever, wherever, that’s going to be my motto.

“I am already the best super middleweight in the world. Over the next 12 months I am going to prove it and become undisputed champion, something no other super middleweight from these shores has ever achieved.

Froch, who defends his British title against mandatory contender Matthew Barney on July 9th, continued: “There is a massive latent audience for boxing in Britain.

“With my promoter Mick Hennessy behind me, I am going to return boxing to the days when 10 million plus audiences tuned in.

“I am going to set this place on fire. Everybody will be talking about me.

“I am going to make the transition from the hottest prospect in world Boxing to one of the hottest properties in any sport.”