Ode to Junior by Ronnie McCluskey Jun 24th 2004

Young Ronnie McCluskey takes a look at the man he regards as the best on our shores... After studying a few of his fights over the past few days, I've come to the conclusion that Junior 'The Hitter' Witter is the best boxer in Britain right now, pound-for-pound. Witter's explosive one-punch power, and ability to switch stances and befuddle opponents with a variety of punches from awkward and imaginative angles, make him the premier British fighter on the scene right now. Currently we have a few British fighters laying claim to a 'world' title. Joe Calzaghe, Ricky Hatton, Michael Gomez, Scott Harrison, Jason Booth, Johnny Nelson - among others. People may wonder why I rank Witter ahead of these guys when he has never held a 'world' title. However, these belts are becoming more and more meaningless in the grand scale of things. Organisations like the WBF, IBO, WBU or IBU don't fit into the bigger picture. Even the WBO title is considered a fringe belt and is not needed to become a unified champion. Maybe it'll become a little more prestigious now that the WBC has gone under. Either way, the point I'm trying to make is this - belts dont always mean that much. In fact, the British title means more than the WBF belt. So does the Commonwealth. So why are British fighters content to settle for second rate titles? Why not work your way up the rankings of a 'respectable' sanctioning body, for example the WBA and try for a legitimate world crown? This is what is hurting British boxing. Audley Harrison is currently marketing himself as a 'world' champion. Let me let you in on something. He's NOT. He isn't even ranked in the Top 15 by most educated ring analysts. So how then can he be world champion? Junior Witter is a man who doesn't settle for second best. Unlike Ricky Hatton, he is refusing to represent a worthless organisation as their champion. Mind you, he did once win the WBF championship but never defended the title. My guess is he took that fight to try and gain some recognition. Anyway, nowadays he's doing things the traditional way, climbing his way up the ranks within the more recognised sanctioning bodies. He's the British, Commonwealth and European light-welterweight champion. In my opinion, his talent far exceeds any fighter on our shores right now. Unlike most fighters in Britain right now, Junior Witter has actually challenged for a legitimate world title. In 2000 he fought 'Super' Zab Judah, for the IBF light-welterweight crown in Glasgow. Witter had only been a pro for three years but was undefeated and confident of victory. Judah too was unbeaten in the ring and had more experience. Since then Judah has fought for the undisputed light-welterweight title and the undisputed welterweight title. He lost both, but acquited himself well against Spinks earlier this year. The contest was boring. Witter was content to play the 'speed' game with Judah. Poor tactics, considering Judah is one of the fastest fighters in the division. Witter lost a comfortable decision, but gave a reasonable account of himself, staying on his feet for 12 rounds, and losing only to a superstar. "Taking on Judah was my first big fight," Witter said. "I thought I was ready, but I learned a lot. I know it will never happen again." Ricky Hatton, the much-touted prospect in the same division, has never fought anyone of the quality of Judah. The fact that the Bradford man had the courage and confidence to square off against a guy like Zab speaks volumes. He risked his unbeaten record to face the best. Ricky Hatton must do the same. Of course, courage doesn't make you the best. If that was the case, Scott Harrison would be the best fighter in Britain and I'd be writing about him. But Witter is a future genuine world champ. Mark my words. Under the clever tutelage of Naseem Hamed's old mentor, Brendan Ingle, Witter will continue to improve. And his awkward style will give anyone problems. I have studied Witter's encounter with Judah, and compared it to some of the Bradford man's more recent fights. And I see definite improvements. Witter is not only faster, but more confident. He attempts more daring punches nowadays. And his power has got better. In the old days, he was content to throw slap/pot-shotting type punches, but now he sacrifices elusiveness for raw power. He's aggressive, he's sharp. And he is very adapt at throwing flurries inside, and getting out of the way of the counter. Some real Judah-type moves there. We cant overlook his versatility either - Witter is very good at switching stances, in fact he does it with ease and possesses power in either hand. The man never enters the ring in poor condition. Ingle must really work him hard in the gym, because his fitness is superb. Witter's cagey style, and his seizure of opportunities to outfox and outsmart opponents, can certainly be exciting. And he has something like 11 KO's on the trot. Now may be the time for promoters to start raving about this guy. Despite these attributes, Witter is still overlooked. Hatton (or at least his camp, for whatever reasons) seems to ignore the best challengers and he is getting no high-profile fights. However, all he must do is wait, and his chance will come. A future bout with Vivian Harris may be on the cards, and Witter has currently fought on the BBC - hopefully they can strike a deal. Witter needs more exposure. His talent cant go unnoticed - we may well have a real world-beater here. Breandan Ingle certainly thinks so. (It has been reported that Harris' camp claim early negotiations with Sports Network did not go well - ed.) But, time is not exactly on Witter's side. He turned 30 in March, and still hasn't gained real recognition in the United States. No one seems to be showing a great deal of interest in him and the big showdown fight continues to elude him. Let me tell you something. Witter would give Hatton fits. He's the best light-welterweight in Britain, undoubtedly. I just hope the Mancunian opts to fight him. He'd certainly put up more resistance than stiffs like Pederson or Rios. A Witter-Hatton fight is just what boxing needs. It'd be a clash of styles. The smart, slick puncher Witter against the workhorse body-puncher Hatton. A real potential classic. Either could win - despite my critisisms of him, Ricky's an excellent fighter. But I think this is a real tough fight for him. Let me leave you with a quote from Witter... "British boxing experts say Hatton is the golden boy, but I do not buy it. He has been in my way for far too long. I know I have the power to go out there and destroy him."

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