The Perfect Comeback: Hatton V Witter
June 22nd, 2010
By Tom Graves: Over a year ago on the 2nd of May 2009 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the pride of Manchester Ricky Hatton was decimated in under two rounds by the now seven weight-world champion Manny Paquiao, since that astonishing night there have been a large number of rumours circulating around the media concerning the future of The Hitman.
A number of potential opponents have been mentioned in the hype of his possible comeback, the main names were Juan Manuel Marquez, Amir Khan and even a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr, but in reality after 13 months of inactivity in the sport and ballooning up in weight way over the light-welter/ welter weight limit, being matched against the calibre of boxers he could once competitively fight against is a bad choice for a comeback fight.
A better comeback opponent for The Hitman would be a boxer in the same position as him, an ex-champion who has been relatively in-active in the sport and whom has only been defeated by world champions. One particular name which fits that criteria is former WBC light-welterweight champion Junior Witter, who is aiming to rebuild his career with a fight this September, after a knee injury forced him to undergo surgery and complete six months of recuperation.
Hatton and Witter have fought at the same weights in their career and have both only been beaten by world champions, during the rise of these two boxers they were known as domestic rivals, calling each other out several times only for the match-up to never materialise. Both men were worthy ambassadors of British boxing at a world level, have impressive records and both posses a good knockout percentage. The bout not only makes sense concerning the state of their careers but also their ages, both fighters are in their thirties and have been professionally boxing since 1997. This well overdue match-up is perfect for the return of both boxers after a fairly long hiatus to progress them back to world level or to find out if they just don’t possess the will, talent, or determination in which they have been known for.
This fight has the potential to be one of the best British bouts of the last few years, who better to fight against each other than two hard hitting former world champions, who have a grudge between them and whose names have been thrown together as a dream domestic welterweight brawl in the past. Both men have points to prove and this match up could get them on the way to overcome the trials and tribulations of their legacies.
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Anonymous, what do you mean Hatton never fought Witter because Witter never brought anything to the table? That’s the biggest pile of white dog s@!t i’ve ever heard! 99% of British Boxing fans wanted to see the fight so why not do it for the fans? Witter calling Hatton out on many occasions certainly grabbed my attention and many thousands of other fans, so if that’s not selling tickets then i don’t know what is?
la motta very true i agree
Good point British
witter still got it, hatton never had it,,,please dont make me laugh,,witter still got it,lol,tell that to bradley who hammered witter to the canvas,,,,A PEAK RICKY WOULD PUMMEL WITTER INTO OBLIVION,HE NEVER FAUGHT HIM BECAUSE HE DIDNT BRING ANYTHING TO THE TABLE,, witter needed ricky not the other way round,if witter had a belt then ricky wouldv faught him,but he didnt when it mattered,end of.
If hatton was that bad regardless of management how’s he become one of the biggest earners in british boxing history, anyone remember witter judah
Hatton is made to order for Junior witter, thats why Hatton ducked him for around eight years. After Hatton lost to mayweather jr he could have faced Witter for his WBC light-welterweight belt but instead he fought juan lazcano, a fighter with no punching power and no belt and you can not tell me lazcano sells more tickets in Britain than Junior Witter. Hatton has always a hard time against tricky counter punchers so i would say a UD win for Witter.
@big man LO- WHATS THAT YOUR SIGN OFF-LO-O I GET IT ITS YOUR IQ CLEAVER .YOU SIGN OFF WITH YOUR IQ.
Hatton was once quoted as saying “If Junior Witter was fighting in my back yard i’d close the curtains” It aint gonna happen basically…
Ben, you are dreaming. prime Hatton would have destroyed witless Witter.
Two shopworn fighters with very few realistic, money making fight options left. Hatton always has been a one dimentional banger with no plan B, who got to the top with the help of some very careful match making, shrewd management and very clever promotional tactics where the level of most of his opponents was concerned. Respect to him though for taking on may and pac (misguided as it was). Witter has always shouted so loud for the fight because styles make fights and witter’s countering style will be,and always would have been, to much for hatton and especially now hatton is in the twilight of his career. GIVE IT UP LADS NO REAL FIGHT FAN WANTS TO SEE IT.
witter still got it hatton never had it and never wanted the fight witter called himout to his face hatton never delivered hatton should be ashamed very ashamed
ricky still on the canvass (mentaly)he never got up, he isnt gonna fight again he,s too big and hasnt kept in shape,no chance he,s coming back,he,s even said he isnt,let it go,plus witters finished now anyhow,and ricky wins every time
I do not think we will see Ricky Hatton back in the ring again. Pacquiao finished him off, his punch resistance has gone, you put him in with a banger like Witter and it wont be pretty.
Hatton should of fought Witter a long time ago, nice article but it’s fantasy. However I do think Witter has something to offer. He was only narrowly beaten by Bradley who has proved himself to be a top fighter and was unfortunate against Alexander. I look forward to his comeback and hope it is against decent opposition.
It is easy to sit on your computer and sl@g a great British fighter!
But it seems you forget that Hatton lost against two of the best
fighters p4p who won’t even fight each other? And for $40M!
JOKERS!!!!!
why do idiots talk in capitals all the time? its not as if we can’t hear them lol
HATTON NEVER LOST A FAIR FIGHT. FLOYD WAS TRUE TO HIS NATURE-HE BEAT A LITTLE GUY COMPARED TO HIMSELF. HATTON ALSO LOST TO EITHER JUICE MAN OR SUPER-MAN YOU BE THE JUDGE.HATTON NEVER LOST A FAIR FIGHT. HE SHOULD STAY RETIRED UNLESS HE NEEDS MONEY OR HE HAS A FLAME IN HIS HEART THAT CAN ONLY BE CALMED IN THE RING. RICKY THE HIT MAN HATTON NEVER LOST A FAIR FIGHT.
Hatton would never beat witter.
Styles make fights, and witters counter punching style and fast feet would leave hatton looking a fool, even when both guys were at their peak!
If hatton cant grab you, he cant beat you. He should think about a career in MMA. He could go in as a heavyweight, Hatton vs James Toney.
He is better off staying away from witter, who stays in good physical form 12 months of the year. Witter will smash him, and im a huge hatton fan.
Action’s speak louder than words.
On one hand Ricky can’t say he’s retired, on the other he’s not doing anything to lead me to believe he would or should attempt a come back, or even a farewell fight.
He should do one or the other before too much more time passes & no one cares anyumore.
@ badboy: hahaha.. nice!
at mutchie
yea hatton WAS bad. and bad on his back knocked the fvck out in la la land drinking bloody tea…ha ha haaaa
F@#k you guys Hatton was a bad ass fighter his only losses were to Floyd and Pacman he was a bad mofo in his prime. I think a comeback would be good just for one more win or lose he is the Hitman and is a legend in the UK and to some can never be forgotten in boxing.
Mayweather beet him pacman retired him now u tell me who’s better
I SUGGEST WE ALL WATCH CHAVEZ JR THIS WEEKEND CAUSE HE IS NOW AT THE WILD CARD GYM WITH ALEX ARIZA AND FREEDIE ROACH SO IM THINKING WE WILL SEE A MASSIVE IMPROVEMENT IN HIM HE WILL COME TO THE RING WITH A CAPE ON AND HE WILL THROW 100 PUNCHES PER ROUND AND NO DOUBT HE WILL KO DUDDY AND IF THAT HAPPENS WE WILL KNOW HE IS ON THE JUICE ASWELL – THINK ABOUT IT THERE IS MILLIONS AT STAKE HERE IF IT WAS YOUR AVERAGE GUY AND THEY TOLD YOU THAT IF YOU TAKE THE JUICE YOU,D BE A MULTI MILLIONAIRE AND A HALLL OF FAMER YOU WOULD GO FOR IT WHO WOULDNT !!!!!!!!!
NO WANDER OUR RICKY WAS KNOCKED OUT IF HE HAD DONE WHAT FLOYD INSISTS MANNY MUST DO REGARDING THE DRUG TESTS RICKY WOULD OF BEEN THE ONE WHO WAS VICTORIOUS !!! PAC MAN GOES FROM FEATHER WEIGHT RIGHT UP TO LIGHTWEIGHT TO LIGHT WELTERWEIGHT AND AS HE CLIMBS IN WEIGHT AND IN AGE HE GETS FASTER AND STRONGER AND IT IS OBVIOUS HE IS A USER OF PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS WHATS WORSE IS HE HAS CONNED THE WHOLE WORLD BUT PEOPLE ARE ON TO HIM NOW HE WONT FIGHT FLOYD IF HE HAS TO BE TESTED TILL THE FIGHT AND IF HE DOES I PREDICT HE WILL GET KNOCKED OUT INSIDE 6 ROUNDS!
would have been a good idea about a year ago, not now.hatton made a good mark on boxing and he should retire content in that knowledge.he also don’t need the money.
witter maybe should have another crack! has he never got the big pay days his talent deserved,and was largely avoided for a long time.with his style and the right matchmaking he could still do something.i felt he underestimated bradley when he fought him and lost his title(although bradley has now gone to another level) he never seemed to get going again after that loss.who knows? after a long rest,with his skill and power and he has a good chin. maybe he could earn himself some paydays
Witter has only defeated C level opponents really. While I do respect his boxing ability, Hatton takes this fight by KO. Hatton’s record is just too superior.
Need to stay retire. The game don’t need him. Plus he svck!
HATTON IS STILL IN THE PLANET THAT PAC MAN SENT HIM TOO..EVERYTIME HATTONS NAME IS MENTION, I CANT HELP BUT REMEMBER HIM LAYING ON THE FLOOR KTFO….