Witter to face Hopkins in America by Ian McNeilly Jan 17th 2008

WBC light-welterweight champion Junior Witter will defend against Demetrius Hopkins on March 22nd. It is thought Witter will square off against the nephew of middleweight legend Bernard in Las Vegas. The contest will be screened live by HBO in the States. Witter won the title by beating DeMarcus Corley in September 2006 and has made two successful defences against Arturo Morua and a spectacular knockout of world class Vivian Harris. Hopkins is unbeaten with a record of 28-0-1. The only slight blemish on his log is a technical draw early in his career. "I'm going to deliver in America," Witter told the Bradford Telegraph & Argus. "I'm not just going to kick the door wide open but rip it off its hinges. "Hopkins is good but he's not met anyone like me. It may be in his own back yard but it's just him and me in a square ring when that first bell sounds. I'm not interested in winning on points, I'm going to knock him out." Apparently, after Witter beat Lovemore N'Dou in the Los Angeles Staples Center three years ago, he bumped into Hopkins and wasn't particularly pleased with the experience. It seems some of uncle Bernard's more abrasive traits run in the family. Witter told the Sky Sports website: "We spoke for a bit and Hopkins came over as cocky and arrogant. He acted all big and brash as if I should be scared of him because he'd won 15 fights or so. "He found out we both boxed at 140lb and said we'll have to fight some day but it's got to be for a title. I said that I only fight for a title. "I'm not saying he isn't a good fighter but he struck me as over-confident and who thinks he's better than he is. "He is taller and has a good reach but why should that bother me? Harris was about six foot as well with a very similar style - and look what happened to him. "He's got a good reputation in America but I'm going to win in style and put the pressure on everyone out there like Hatton and Paulie Malignaggi." If Witter comes through this bout and Hatton wins a tentatively-scheduled May date in Manchester against TBC, surely the ultimate British showdown between the two can be resisted no longer.

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