Tag: Miguel Cotto

Junior ‘The Hitter’ Witter, 37-4-2 with 22 KO’s, started his career back in 1997, in which he achieved the Commonwealth, British and European Light Welterweight titles before capturing the WBC belt, which he defended twice before losing it to Timothy Bradley.

Questions have arisen since his last few outings as to whether or not Witter can still perform at the level he used to. In his last fight, he lost to Victor Puiu 18-1-2.

Puiu is a decent enough fighter but nothing special, in reality the Witter of a few years back would have demolished him; in effect, the writing was on the wall. Before that, Witter lost to Devon Alexander, who was 18-0-0.

Alexander is a young, hungry, gifted fighter who belongs in the upper echelons of the division. Witter clearly did not have the legs, or the reflexes that allowed him to fight like he used to and he retired at the end of the eighth round, culminating in the only stoppage loss in his career.

Witter had a very hard career, and it was not the case of him not wanting the big fights, if anything, he would not shut up about fighting the top of the division whenever he had the airtime.

In a way, he made a rod for his own back in being such an awkward fighter…no one wanted to get involved. He was maximum risk, minimum gain.

Often he would openly call for bouts with Floyd Mayweather or Zab Judah, a wish he had granted by the latter, much to his detriment. Another thorn in his side, as he saw it, was a certain Mr. Hatton.

Unfortunately for Witter, whilst he was moving up through the paid ranks, there was another fighter, at light welterweight, who was making his own waves in the sport, Ricky Hatton. (more…)