By James Slater: As nearly all boxing fans are only too aware, reigning WBC light-welterweight king Junior Witter has been desperately in search of a match-up with “Hitman,” Ricky Hatton for some time. The ongoing saga has even become somewhat boring – no doubt more so for the 34 year old Witter.
Hatton and his team have come up with one reason (excuse?) after another as to why a Witter bout will not happen. First it was because Witter was not a big enough name stateside. Then it was because Witter himself had not beaten a recognised name. And more recently Hatton has said he will never fight Witter, a man he dislikes a lot, because doing so would give Witter a huge, career-best payday. Well, in speaking to Setanta Sports recently, Witter, who has never given up on landing the fight that would surely be a mega-event in the U.K, offered a solution to Hatton’s money issue.
“Ricky’s scared. He’s good but he knows I’m better,” the WBC champ declared. “He’s used 101 excuses for not fighting me. Now he’s saying he doesn’t want to give me a payday. Well, all I need is my training expenses and I’ll come round and kick his arse in front of everybody for free! My people have got to be paid – my training expenses have to be paid, but I’ll do it for free. I can do that because I know I’m going to win.”
This latest challenge to Hatton certainly looks like one “The Hitman” will have a hard time finding a credible reason for turning down. It is abundantly clear that Witter is nothing short of obsessed with getting it on with Hatton. How often does a fighter say he’s willing to take a potentially risky, pretty much 50/50 fight, for no monetary reward? It could be a major bluff on the part of Witter, but that’s unlikely. Witter is simply anxious to prove his worth – to anyone that doesn’t recognise his talents already, that is.
For so long, however, it has been obvious Ricky Hatton cares not one bit about proving who is the better 140 pound boxer hailing from The U.K – he or Witter. This audacious challenge by Witter just might do the trick in changing Hatton’s mind. If the fight does come off, though, the fans will be the winners. For let’s be clear here, with no disrespect aimed at the Juan Lazcanos of the world, who should Hatton really be fighting next?