Junior Witter launches the new boxing season on Sky Sports.

[superheavyrhun]

Exactly and i'd bet a fair bit of cash that Witter is one of the 'Avoided' in the ranks
Awkward to fight and being a switch hitter just makes it more so!
Hope he batters him and goes forward to a big payday

Look, I ain't no Hatton fan, but there is a reason that Witter is one of the avoided, which is that he doesn't put bums on seats and doesn't pull in the viewers. Therefore, less money all round, and the likelihood of him going on to a big payday is entirely dependent on him fighting a big star that will bring in the viewers and fans.

[bzkfn]

I can understand guys not liking Witter but it's the Hatton lovers that buy all of his excuses, for not fighting Witter, that make me laugh.

A few years back it was a MUST fight. But then all of a sudden Witter wasn't worthy of facing Hatton although no-names like Collazo and Urango were.

Don't get me wrong, all the while Hatton is fighting the true elite guys, as he is now, then Witter can understandably be ignored.

I'm a massive Hatton fan, but I don't feel I'm buying into an excuse. When I first heard about Witter, I thought it was good for the sport to have two light-welters who could be on their way to world glory with the oppertunity for them both to meet. However, after watching Witter fight, I saw nothing that impressed me. The term "switch hitter" implies he throws punches which he seems to avoid doing for a long time. He's never beaten anyone impressive and while people say he avoids nobody, since losing to Zab Judah who has been so openly exposed, what "big" fight has he looked for. Hatton hates Witter, and as Witter has always looked to make money off Hatton because Hatton puts the bums in the seats, I can see why he doesn't want to give him the time of day. Apart from a WBC belt (and we know Hatton isn't interested in titles anymore), Witter has nothing to offer Ricky. As for Hatton fighting Collazo...it was to move up in weight and fight abroad which is surely a bigger challenge. Both Collazo & Urango where accepted by HBO as well which gets his name known in America. I highly doubt Witter would have been.

[Fenster]

I can't be bothered to go through all the "Witter isn't worthy" rubbish. After Hatton decided he wasn't going to fight him he's kept moving the goalposts for whatever reason, don't matter, but for me personally I find it really jarring when top class Brits don't meet.

They've been linked for the past 7 years. At one time Hatton wanted the fight so bad he had it written into his contract with FW. Even around four or five years ago they were talking about doing 30,000 tickets. It's the fans that remember all this shit that I don't understand why now they rubbish the fight.

[bzkfn]

I can't be bothered to go through all the "Witter isn't worthy" rubbish. After Hatton decided he wasn't going to fight him he's kept moving the goalposts for whatever reason, don't matter, but for me personally I find it really jarring when top class Brits don't meet.

They've been linked for the past 7 years. At one time Hatton wanted the fight so bad he had it written into his contract with FW. Even around four or five years ago they were talking about doing 30,000 tickets. It's the fans that remember all this S*** that I don't understand why now they rubbish the fight.

Because they're at different stages of their career, and Witter isn't world class. For me Hatton is. If Witter wins against Harris, he should try and secure a fight with Castillo. If he were to do that and win, I'd argue this fight must be made. Hatton got the fight with Mayweather by basically beating his opponents in better fashion...only more later in their career. Witter should do the same.

[Fenster]

Do you think i'm arguing for Witter-Hatton now instead of Floyd-Hatton? I've already said all the while Hatton's fighting the elite Witter can be ignored. Which makes this utterly pointless but...

You think the WBC "world" champion Witter isn't world class, right? Which makes him not worthy of a Hatton fight?

Name me the top 10 guys at 140?

And explain to me what made Maussa, Collazo and Urango worthy of a Hatton fight?

[Bomp]

Do you think i'm arguing for Witter-Hatton now instead of Floyd-Hatton? I've already said all the while Hatton's fighting the elite Witter can be ignored. Which makes this utterly pointless but...

You think the WBC "world" champion Witter isn't world class, right? Which makes him not worthy of a Hatton fight?

Name me the top 10 guys at 140?

And explain to me what made Maussa, Collazo and Urango worthy of a Hatton fight?

Exactly, it's always the same excuses coming out like what does Witter bring to the table. Apart from Tzyu and Castillo, he brings in as much if not more than any other opponent Ricky has faced.

As you said, of course we prefer PBF Hatton, but there have been many opportunities in the past for the fight to be made. I'm not blaming Hattons camp entirely, they have always been with rival promoters which made it hard to make anyway.

I've never met Witter, perhaps he is complete tosser, but that doesn't take away from the fact that he's strung together a load of victories and climbed the ladder the old fashioned way to earn a shot at one of the big names, wether he brings the fans or not. We wouldn't expect the organisers at Wimbledon to ban unpopluar players from their tournament or any crazy shit like that.

[bzkfn]

Do you think i'm arguing for Witter-Hatton now instead of Floyd-Hatton? I've already said all the while Hatton's fighting the elite Witter can be ignored. Which makes this utterly pointless but...

You think the WBC "world" champion Witter isn't world class, right? Which makes him not worthy of a Hatton fight?

Name me the top 10 guys at 140?

And explain to me what made Maussa, Collazo and Urango worthy of a Hatton fight?

Ok, well it's self-explanatory why Collazo was a better option. A step up in weight to win a world title in America on HBO was more beneficial to Hatton's career than a fight with Witter.

Urango was accepted by HBO...he had a 3 fight deal with HBO and I don't think they'd have accepted Witter.

Maussa was interesting. I read Hatton's autobiography were he said a fight was mooted against Vivian Harris. When Harris lost, the fight was just a natural according to him. IMO this was just bad promoting by Hobson. The only thing that could help this was if he beat Maussa quicker than Cotto did, and he was 1 round late. On this one, I agree with you.

As for top 10, I don't think there is anything left at 140 for Hatton now he's fighting Floyd.

[Fenster]

Yeah I understand the reasons why the fights were made.

The point is, the fights were sold because of those three no-names being "world" champion. Hatton was fighting for their belts. That's ALL they offered, a shitty belt. Hatton sells the fight not the no-name. If those no-names are worthy then Witter is most defintely worthy.

Anyway, fuck all this shit, Hatton's fighting Floyd which is much bigger than any fight with Witter could ever have been. Just a shame for some of us that would of loved to have seen a fight between two world class Brits with a genuine animosity between 'em.

Bomp, nice analogy.

[bzkfn]

Yeah I understand the reasons why the fights were made.

The point is, the fights were sold because of those three no-names being "world" champion. Hatton was fighting for their belts. That's ALL they offered, a shitty belt. Hatton sells the fight not the no-name. If those no-names are worthy then Witter is most defintely worthy.

Anyway, F*** all this S***, Hatton's fighting Floyd which is much bigger than any fight with Witter could ever have been. Just a shame for some of us that would of loved to have seen a fight between two world class Brits with a genuine animosity between 'em.

Bomp, nice analogy.

You are right, the elite fights are important. I stand by though that the Collazo fight was more beneficial to Ricky in every way rather than Witter. Urango was a bit pointless...but HBO accepted it.

Anyway, Ricky will show you all when he beats Floyd that Witter is not in his league

[katfight]

anyway maybe he cud save tanning witter's arse for his last fight and do it in manchester?