-Junior Witter-
 

Junior Witter should make a successful fourth defence of his WBC light welterweight title when he takes on American Timothy Bradley in the Nottingham Arena on May 10th.

The prize and real Holy Grail for Witter is still the prospect of facing Ricky Hatton. Witter has been chasing Hatton for a considerable time now leading to questions of whether the Hitman is indeed swerving the Bradford boxer.

Although not the prettiest fighter to watch when going about his work, (Hatton famously remarked that if Witter was fighting in his backyard he would draw the curtains), Witter does get the job done and deserves a shot a Hatton.

Witter bounced seriously into the boxing consciousness when defeating the durable South African Lovemore Ndou in Los Angeles a couple of years ago.

Since then he has stepped up well after getting his big chance when Floyd Mayweather Jr. moved on. Taking the vacated WBC light welterweight title against the useful American DeMarcus Coley, Witter has defended his title well against Arturo Morua and Vivian Harris in subsequent bouts, without ever really showing any crowd pleasing heroics or explosiveness.   

The 33-year Witter is a much improved boxer though from the one who was not at the races against New Yorker Zab Judah in Glasgow in 2006.  

Next up for Witter is Timothy Bradley. American Bradley is unbeaten in his fairly short career as a pro and as such is a bit of an unknown quantity. Bradley was scheduled to fight journeyman Jose Luis Castillo in an eliminator to face Witter, but the Mexican could not make the weight. 

It is hard to see the inexperienced Bradley beating Witter, with the Englishman knowing he needs a good performance to secure a path to Hatton. But Bradley might just not turn out to be quite the patsy that most commentators expect him to be. Witter likes to work in his comfort zone but if he comes out to try to KO Bradley he could leave himself open if the American seizes any chance. Witter is arguably a better boxer when left to his cagey devices and not revered for his attacking style. 

If successful against Bradley will Witter get his shot against Hatton?  Given Hatton’s almost messianic-like following, his fans would probably turn up to see him tear up a box of matches and the prospect of an all English head-to-head would be a guaranteed sell out.

Alas, it has been a sad indictment of British boxing promoters for quite a few years now to get a fighter a reputation without really earning it, milking the golden goose with hype about being the best and all important TV deals and only really fighting the best or a potential real danger when the money is safely banked. After doing what he does best with Ricky Hatton, Frank ‘Show Me the Money’ Warren, decided it was time for Hatton to take on the best AKA Floyd Mayweather. Is it at last the time for Hatton to take on a potential real danger in Witter, what do ya say Frankie?