By James Slater: According to Sheffield newspaper, The Star, WBC light-welterweight champion Junior Witter will probably square off against the unbeaten Timothy Bradley in an intriguing May 10th showdown. So far, no venue has been suggested, but America looks likely to hold the bout.
Witter, who has been searching for an opponent as of late, after his bout with Demetrius Hopkins fell apart, now at last has an appealing and more than deserving prospective opponent. Bradley, who also saw his last scheduled fight fall through, due to Mexican warrior Jose Luis Castillo failing to make the 140 pound weight limit for their supposed March the 8th WBC elimination bout, is now that governing body’s number one mandatory contender to champion Witter.
Bradley has also made it quite clear that a fight with the tricky Witter is a match-up that more than interests him. The 24 year old, known as “Desert Storm,” has won 21 pro bouts in a row (11 KO’s) since his debut back in August of 2004. A fight against the experienced Witter would certainly mark a big step up in class – yet the talented Bradley reportedly is anxious to make such a step.
Witter, now aged 34, and with a fine 36-1-2(21) record, has won 21 fights on the bounce since his sole career loss – which came on points to Zab Judah way back in the summer of 2000. The switch hitting Witter won the vacant WBC belt with a unanimous decision win over DeMarcus Corley in September of 2006. He has since made two successful retentions, including the eye-popping 7th round KO of highly rated Vivian Harris last time out. That result gained Witter much praise, and a number of fighters have been alleged to have wanted no part of him since – fellow Brit Ricky Hatton most famously.
Bradley, however, wants the fight. And after WBC boss, Don Jose Sulaiman made the 24 year old his organisation’s number one contender at 140 pounds following the Castillo disappointment, “Desert Storm” is more than qualified. Indeed, Witter must face Bradley eventually, if he wants to keep his title. So even if the bout with the Californian is not next on the Yorkshire man’s dance card, it will surely happen soon.
At last, then, the fighter who claims his rivals are running away from him has a good opponent who is doing no such thing.