by James Slater – Say what you want about former WBC light-welterweight champion Junior “The Hitter” Witter, but he remains hugely ambitious and motivated at age 34. Despite losing his world title to the unbeaten Timothy Bradley last summer, and having had just one fight since, Witter can foresee 2009 as being his biggest and best year in boxing.
The reason? Firstly, Witter will box young and talented Devon Alexander for the interim version of the WBC 140-pound belt in either late March or early April (“real” champ Bradley is set to face WBO champ Kendal Holt in April) and Witter will then be in line to face the winner of Bradley and Holt. Added to this, is the fact that Witter could also wind up facing the winner of January 30th’s (vacant) IBF title match between Herman Ngoudjo and Juan Urango. It’s possible, then, that Witter could find himself owning no less than THREE world titles this year!
Witter certainly sees the titles being his some time in 2009, as he made clear in interview with Telegraph and Argus.
“There’s nothing pie in the sky about it. I could have three versions of the world title within the next twelve months – which would make it a brilliant 2009,” Witter said. “It’s nothing like when I was supposed to be fighting Ricky [Hatton] and it just never happened. Realistically these fights are all there and can all happen.”
Phase one of Witter’s lofty goal is the fight with unbeaten 21-year-old southpaw Alexander, 17-0(10). The fight goes to purse bids by mid-February at the latest, but Junior is not concerned with details such as where the bout will take place. Hugely confident he can see off the younger man from Saint Louis, Missouri, Witter says he would travel for the fight if need be.
“It never worries me having to travel,” Witter said. “While it would be great to have home advantage, going to America is a big thing in people’s lives and I have done well over there in the past. It’s not something I’m taking lightly. I know Alexander is going to be trouble – but he is in trouble with me.
“He is quick and he has got the moves. He’s not a particularly big puncher but throws a lot of shots and has good body movement. The age factor does make a difference. I see that when I spar with Kell Brook. Young fighters don’t tend to realise when they are beaten and keep on going. So you have to beat them up a little bit more and I’m prepared to do that with Alexander. He’ll keep coming back for more.”
The Witter-Alexander clash is an intriguing fight to be sure, but if the 34-year-old former champ achieves what he thinks he can, the fight for the interim belt will be just the beginning of a sensational return to the top for him.
After his bout against Alexander, Witter will then face the Bradley-Holt winner (as mandated by the WBC), and should he emerge triumphant there the Yorkshire man could go on to box for the IBF belt also. See what I mean about Witter being as ambitious as ever!