By Nick Kelly: In 2005 Ricky Hatton was on top of the world. That year he launched himself onto a world stage defeating the legendary Kostya Tszyu, KOing Carlos Maussa and winning the Ring Magazine Fighter of The Year.
Meanwhile at the end of 2005 Junior Witter defeated Colin Lynes at York Hall a venue holding just more than 1,000. At that point the two fighters were worlds apart.
In September of 2006 though, 18 months after winning a title eliminator in the US, Witter got his shot at a world title. Though it could not compare in magnitude to Hatton taking several thousand fans to Boston to witness his defeat of WBA Welterwight holder Luis Collazo several months prior, it was a chance Witter was not about to let slip.
Witter had lost his last shot at a World title 6 years ago against then undefeated star Zab Judah. Despite taking the bout at nine days notice, his performance was unimpressive, eventually losing a lop sided decision.
So on the 15th of September Witter faced De Marcus ‘Chop chop’ Corley for the WBC title vacated by Floyd Mayweather. He won a convincing, if not thrilling, victory but it failed to endorse him anymore to the USA.
2007 continued in much of the same vain. Hatton headlined Vegas defeating Juan Urango, which set him up for the June superfight with Jose Luis Castillo. Thousands of Brits travelled across the Atlantic to see Hatton land a stunning left hook ending the fight in the fourth round. Hatton had done something Mayweather had failed to do in two fights and set his sights on the WBC champion in the post fight interview.
Not only was Hatton a hit inside of the ring combining excitement and ability, but he was courteous and funny outside of it. He wooed HBO audiences and commentators alike and with the aid of his travelling army of fans he propelled himself into the list of boxing mega stars.
Whilst Witter may be the more skilled boxer of the two Brit Light Welterweights it mattered little when he was largely anonymous to those outside of boxing circles. He was consigned to fighting in Hatton’s shadow and performing under the bright lights of Doncaster, not Las Vegas.
For Hatton the mega fight he wanted came to fruition, a shot at the number one pound for pound fighter, Floyd Mayweather. A boxer claimed by many as brash, arrogant and regularly quite boring against Hatton; exciting, likeable and a so called man of the people.
The build up to the fight began at the end of August largely overshadowing Witter’s title defence against Vivian Harris in early September. Yet it was one of, if not the defining performance, of Witter’s career. Witter floored Harris in the fourth round before a thrilling knockout providing the excitement his career so often lacked.
As Hatton mania took over the UK, many people became convinced Hatton would prevail against Mayweather and his confident appearance on HBO’s 24/7 build up to the fight did little to dispel these thoughts.
Consequently the defeat to Mayweather became that much harder to take. Though a defeat was nothing to be ashamed of, a spectacular KO by a fighter seen as a ‘non puncher’ seemed to have a more adverse affect on Hatton than that it was first defeat. He even admitted to his difficultly in coming to terms with this, frequently bursting into tears after the fight.
Straight after the fight many began to question who should Hatton fight next? It was obvious moving up to Welterweight was a step too far, Mayweather was himself considered small for the division.
With Hatton’s standing in the Light Welterweight division as Ring Magazine champion, he should be fighting the best of a relatively weak division.
Hatton is at a crucial crossroads in his career and needs to be wary of succumbing to a second consecutive defeat. He must be cautious of becoming demotivated after the highs of 2007 and his continuous post fight weight fluctuation.
The feather fisted IBF champion, Paulie Malignaggi has such boxing skills that he could give Hatton the run around all night. Miguel Cotto failed to stop Malignaggi despite seriously injuring him, so Hatton would need to be in excellent shape. However if recent Hatton fights tell us anything, it is that he fades in the second half of the fight.
Ricardo Torres, another fighter with little name recognition in the UK, floored Cotto, something neither Zab Judah nor Shane Mosley looked close to do doing at Welterweight. Though he is WBO champion another knockout, to a relatively unknown fighter in the UK would surely deem Hatton’s career irreparable.
The Hatton camp has already ruled out an all British clash with Gavin Rees, who has his hands full with Andreas Kotelnik.
Unlike any of the other three Light Welter beltholders Junior Witter not only poses a significant challenge and the motivation Hatton needs but the type of money he has now become accustomed to earning.
Hatton however continues to deny Witter the opportunity insisting that he does not want to give him the best payday of his career. He also professes that he would not fight him after many of the scathing remarks Witter had made towards Hatton. Ironically this is the same bad mouthing Hatton used to eventually persuade Mayweather to fight him.
The most important reason for the fight to take place though is the place it would have for Hatton’s legacy. Witter is a top fighter at his peak, unlike Jose Luis Castillo or Kostya Tsyzu when Hatton fought them.
It is so rare that there are two British fighters ranked at number one and two in the division that if Hatton were to continue to dismiss Witter it would be little more than a disgrace.
David Haye recently admitted that even though fighting at Cruiserweight would continue to be a struggle, Maccarinelli was the fight everybody wanted and deserved. Hatton said he would have his next fight in the UK as a reward to his fans, but surely Witter is the only fight his loyal fans deserve.
Now that Witter’s proposed fight with Hopkins has fallen through, Witter is not only the obvious choice but the legitimate contender to Hatton’s Ring Magazine Light Welter crown.
Though he may not like to admit it, a fight against Witter could be the only fight that gets his career back on track.