Have you given up on Junior Witter..?

[Primadonna Kool]

What the fuck is he playing at..?

[Gaz S]

Although I suspect I'm somewhat in the minority here, I am a Junior Witter fan (fan of most boxers really, just a boxing fan in general).
Whilst it is frustrating and annoying that time is being wasted, it's hard to actually know what is going on behind the scenes. Pro boxing can be a complex business and all manner of things can cause inactivity, etc. I just hope whatever it is, Junior gets in that ring damn soon and gets back on track.

A few years ago I felt it was a great shame that Witter seemed to have missed the boat, that he was being frozen out to an extent and his prime years were passing him by and boxing politics kept him from capitalizing the best he could on his potential. Then came the WBC title and then a great high profile win over Vivian Harris and I was genuinely thrilled for Junior. He had paid his dues and deserved his day in the sun.
However I fear it's history repeating. Time is being criminally wasted and Junior's going to find himself (if he hasn't already) once again on the outside looking in.

Whether you love him or loathe him, there's no denying Witter is a talented fighter amongst the British elite and he has fairly paid his dues winning British, European and Commonwealth titles. I hope we see him back in action soon.

[stuey]

i never started

[TFFP]

No.

Still a world class fighter, but he needs to fight more regularly.

[nulty]

I'll never give up on him I made a ton betting on bradley to beat him. I owe him a drink a least.

[Danny]

I wonder if Junior Witter has actually given up himself?

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but Witter has only had one fight since losing to Bradley. This is not good for any fighter who wants to get back into title contention let alone one who is getting on in age! The clock is ticking.

If I was Junior, I'd be barking at Hennessesy promotions to get him fights! One fight since losing to Bradley is simply not good enough & will not do!

[FLINT ISLAND]

Witter losing to Bradley was a big sucker shot to his career

Witter had to do it the steady and true way - British, Commonwealth, European

Winning the WBC title was his time finally to reign at the top and make big money defending his crown and making his legacy

Then he unlucky fought Tim Bradley who was a good fighter

Now Witter has been knocked off the pinnacle of what he had to work hard for it must be depressing

Hatton can lose a fight and come straight back into a high profile contest and a seven figure purse £3 million as of who he is and the popular , etc, etc

Witter depsite being one of the best in the world like Hatton cannot get gifted big fights he has to work for it all over again

Hatton - win or lose - will always be big box office - and granted title fights

Witter - he has to work and force fights to happen - because who needs him?

[FLINT ISLAND]

Someone offered Witter a fight purse the size Hatton is getting for his fights - Witter be fighting 5 times a year

[Gaz S]

Agreed Flint. Sad but true in the world of boxing. Professional boxing isn't a talent contest - it's a popularity contest.

[Lionel Rose]

Witter is in the same category as Johnny Nelson - Good at making opponents look bad and putting spectators to sleep.

[kosaros]

They should have had a rematch clause in Bradley's contract.

Mick is investing in Froch at the moment, but maybe he should splash the cash to get a high-profile fighter for Witter with someone like Malignaggi (easy fight, has lost heart and has said he would fight anyone who is offering money), Ortiz (tough fight, but more exposure in America) or fight for a world title against, for example, Kotelnik (not a total unknown to the british fan, and a winnable fight for Witter, would have to give up home advantage).

[Carnage]

Witter can be a very good light welter, he is taking the piss being out this long though. I think people have somewhat moved on with the new generation - Khan soon on for a title shot, Froch being just great, Woods can have another shot at the top, Ola beating Mac, Hayemaker, then the youngsters such as Kell Brook, Kevin Mitchel etc, Witter is just old news!

["TKO"]

Although I suspect I'm somewhat in the minority here, I am a Junior Witter fan (

A minority of one I suspect ;)

[Gaz S]

A minority of one I suspect ;)

:D When you say it it's like with a shameful tone -

*Stands up, whilst everyone else is sat around in a circle*
- "My name's Gaz and I'm a Junior Witter fan"
*rest of the group applauds your bravery" lol

[Fat Joe]

I'm a Junior Witter fan

[robpalmer135]

he on the bunce hour today, which is at 11

[Fat Joe]

he on the bunce hour today, which is at 11

Make your mind up Rob, 11 0r 1?

[robpalmer135]

1 sorry

[Flea Man]

I think the Bradley loss has affected him psychologically as he knows he was made for Hatton and if he had secured the fight he would've got what he wanted from it.

[achillesthegreat]

World class fighters, just needs to get a move on.

[bored]

They should have had a rematch clause in Bradley's contract.

Mick is investing in Froch at the moment, but maybe he should splash the cash to get a high-profile fighter for Witter with someone like Malignaggi (easy fight, has lost heart and has said he would fight anyone who is offering money), Ortiz (tough fight, but more exposure in America) or fight for a world title against, for example, Kotelnik (not a total unknown to the british fan, and a winnable fight for Witter, would have to give up home advantage).
Malignaggi would have been a good fight seeing as Malignaggi is on the Froch/Taylor undercard.

[rhinocoote]

i don't mind saying that i am a big witter fan,,,yes i did say big,,hear me out?
witter is a technically gifted fighter with a great punch,,something i'm sure most boxing purists would agree with.
as for 'enigmatic' ??,,or even 'charasmatic' ??..then perhaps less so.
he is a man who seemingly ducks no one, and has taken the now unfashionable route to the top of his division -british,european,world- against some great fighters.
in these times ,as boxing evolves and adapts to survive,, charisma and t.v appeal are the things that get you the big bucks,they are fashionable.
i've met witter at fights and are proud to say that he is a true gent with time for the fans and he gets my full respect as a great boxer,,,,,,,,
,,,but i think that he is an unfashionable fighter in a fashionable age,,a real shame.
it seems like the game has given up on him but i certaintly havn't,,so come on junior!!!!!!!--knock on some doors,,please:good:good:good:good
(slight rant)

[BremnerBomber]

I like Junior Witter but he really made a hash of his career.

If he spent as much time on his own career rather than trying to piggyback on Hattons he would be a bigger name in British sport.

[Primadonna Kool]

Even if no big names want to fight him..

Junior Witter has to earn a living..? So fight man..come on.

[king s]

Witter is now fighting Paul Mcloskey 4 the vacant eu belt after italian lw Branco relinquished it and moved up 2 ww.

[JamboGoz]

He's probably still waiting for his shot at Hatton.

["TKO"]

i don't mind saying that i am a big witter fan,,,yes i did say big,,hear me out?
witter is a technically gifted fighter with a great punch,,something i'm sure most boxing purists would agree with.
as for 'enigmatic' ??,,or even 'charasmatic' ??..then perhaps less so.
he is a man who seemingly ducks no one, and has taken the now unfashionable route to the top of his division -british,european,world- against some great fighters.
in these times ,as boxing evolves and adapts to survive,, charisma and t.v appeal are the things that get you the big bucks,they are fashionable.
i've met witter at fights and are proud to say that he is a true gent with time for the fans and he gets my full respect as a great boxer,,,,,,,,
,,,but i think that he is an unfashionable fighter in a fashionable age,,a real shame.
it seems like the game has given up on him but i certaintly havn't,,so come on junior!!!!!!!--knock on some doors,,please:good:good:good:good
(slight rant)

I see what you mean with some of this stuff, but technically gifted he is not, he is unorthodox and trades on his reflexes and agility rather than mastery of the fundamentals, more Naseem Hamed than James Toney. I also think he has a decent rather than great punch. He looked great knocking over 14 consecutive tomato cans, but at world level has only really taken out Harris. Plus, if he has ever fought a great fighter I missed it.

That said, yeah being slightly unfashionable does him no favours in terms of raising his profile and getting the big money and the TV fights. Nonetheless, he needs to be more active. Fighting twice a year when you're 35 and have the kind of style where you can get very old overnight is not the way forward. He also hasn't helped himself by seemingly basing his whole career around trying to get a payday from Ricky Hatton rather than trying to forge his own reputation.

I haven't given up on him, he is still highly ranked with the WBC and is probably one meaningful win away from another title shot, but as I said time is not on his side and he can't afford to spend another year fighting once every six months against the like of Victor Hugo Castro.

[icemax]

i don't mind saying that i am a big witter fan,,,yes i did say big,,hear me out?
witter is a technically gifted fighter with a great punch,,something i'm sure most boxing purists would agree with.
as for 'enigmatic' ??,,or even 'charasmatic' ??..then perhaps less so.
he is a man who seemingly ducks no one, and has taken the now unfashionable route to the top of his division -british,european,world- against some great fighters.
in these times ,as boxing evolves and adapts to survive,, charisma and t.v appeal are the things that get you the big bucks,they are fashionable.
i've met witter at fights and are proud to say that he is a true gent with time for the fans and he gets my full respect as a great boxer,,,,,,,,
,,,but i think that he is an unfashionable fighter in a fashionable age,,a real shame.
it seems like the game has given up on him but i certaintly havn't,,so come on junior!!!!!!!--knock on some doors,,please:good:good:good:good
(slight rant)

Great post :thumbsup