14.04.04 – Bradford’s Junior Witter is hoping to launch an assault on the world’s best once he has won the ‘Overdue’ title shot handed to him by Hennessy Sports this Friday.The 30-year-old takes on Italy’s Salvatore Battaglia for the vacant European light welterweight title at the Town and Country Club (formerly Penningtons) in his first ever fight in his hometown, to be covered by the BBC.
Given Battaglia’s credentials, victory will underline Junior’s status as Europe’s number one at 10 stone as well as land him a top ten ranking with the WBC.
“A win will give me the perfect platform from which to launch an attack on the big names,” began Junior.
“Once I have won the European title – a genuine title – I have no intention of sitting back and defending against soft touches.
“I am going to go on and prove myself as the best in the world over the next two years.
“I am going to fly the flag for Britain by taking on the best there is.”
He continued: “I have already shown by taking Zab Judah to points on just over a weeks notice – four years ago – that I have what it takes at the highest level.
“Imagine what I will be capable of with notice.
“I don’t feel I have ever been given the chance to demonstrate that against top class operators.
“Well thanks to Mick Hennessy I have now, starting with Battaglia.
“He is the Italian national champion, has fought at Championship level eleven times and ran Oktay Urkal very close on points despite travelling to his opponents back yard, so a good win over him will make people sit up and take notice.
“Well I am going to do better than a good win, I am going to give my hometown a devastating win – and with it land a high ranking with the WBC.
“From that position I am capable of achieving anything: a mega fight with Arturo Gatti (WBC champion), a challenge to Cory Spinks or Kostya Tszyu when he returns, or even a rematch against Zab Judah.
“As for Ricky Hatton, well he may have missed the boat: it looks like I am about to leave him behind.”
The Hennessy Sports ‘Overdue’ promotion takes place this Friday (April 16th) at the Town and Country Club in Bradford. It features Junior Witter vs Salvatore Battaglia for the European light welterweight title, Gilbert Eastman vs Delroy Mellis for the Southern Area light middleweight title and the professional debut of John O’Donnell.
Tickets are available on 01234 224488.