22.12.06 – Hennessy Sports promoted Junior Witter will take a break from his rigorous Christmas training schedule to appear on the pitch at Valley Parade on Boxing Day with his WBC World light welterweight title. The Ingle-trained 32-year-old made history in September when he became the first ever Brit to win the governing body’s prestigious belt at 140lb with an under-rated dominant points win over former world champion DeMarcus Corley..
He will parade the famous green belt at half time of Bradford City’s home match against Coca Cola League 1 rivals Doncaster Rovers in an extension of the recognition he has already received from the city where he was born.
“The reception I have had at home since winning my title has been unbelievable,” said Witter. “The Mayor organised a civic reception for me shortly after I beat Corley, but that was just the beginning of it.
“It has been something very special. It’s a time I won’t forget; I’m very proud of being from Bradford. It’s always a buzz to be at Valley Parade. I have been on the pitch a couple of times before, but now that it’s sunk in that I’m a world champion I’m looking forward to sitting back and taking in the atmosphere.”
Whilst his heart will always lie at home, Witter does have a soft spot for the opposition on the 26th December.
“Doncaster is very close to where I train in Sheffield, (at the Wincobank gym). It’s pretty much on the doorstep, so I always look out for their results,” he explains. “I know several of the players at Donnie Rovers as well.”
Witter will fit his visit to Valley Parade into an already busy Christmas schedule. In addition to spending time with his family, he will maintain a full training schedule ahead of the ‘First Defence’ of his Championship against Mexico’s Arturo Morua on January 20th at Alexandra Palace.
“I’m not taking any extra days off over the next couple of weeks,” Witter said. “I only have Sundays for rest and that’s how it will stay. I will train Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. They will just be normal days in the office. My diet won’t change either. The only Turkey I get will be how I always have it: steamed and with vegetables.”
LATEST BILL:
Hennessy Sports Proudly Present
First Defence
@ Alexandra Palace
Saturday 20th January
Tickets priced £40, £80 and £200 on 0870 060 1795.
12 x 3 WBC Light Welterweight Championship
Junior Witter vs. Arturo Morua
(Bradford) (Mexico)
12 x 3 British Light Welterweight Championship
Lenny Daws vs. Barry Morrison
(Morden) (Motherwell)
10 x 3 English Welterweight Championship
John O’Donnell vs. Stuart Elwell
(Shepherds Bush) (Darlaston)
10 x 3 British Light Welterweight Championship Eliminator
Alan Bosworth vs. Ashley Theophane
(Northampton) (Paddington)
8 x 3 Lightweight
John Murray vs. TBA
(Manchester) ()
6 x 3 Super Bantamweight
Esham Pickering vs. TBA
(Newark) ()
6 x 3 Middleweight
Matthew Thirlwall vs. TBA
(Bermondsey) ()
6 x 3 Light Middleweight
George Hillyard vs. TBA
(Canning Town) ()