Witter can’t wait to silence stateside critics by Ben Carey Feb 14th 2005

Junior Witter flew to LA on Saturday ahead of his crucial career litmus test against the battle-hardened Lovemore N'Dou at the Staples Centre on February 19. On a mouthwatering bill that features Howard Eastman's challenge to undisputed middleweight king Bernard Hopkins, in addition to British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion Carl Froch's US debut, this will be a pivotal evening in the careers of three of British boxing's brightest talents. Having been on the outside looking in for longer than he'd care to remember, at 30, Witter acknowledges that he must grasp the opportunity of a lifetime during the lifetime of the opportunity against the uncompromising N'Dou. “It's the perfect opportunity for me to show what I can do. I need to show the Americans how good I am and this is the best way to do it against an opponent they really rate. I am expecting a tough fight. It's not going to be easy. He's definitely not rolling over - he's coming to win. But that's better for me because I like people who want to win. I'm going to get my shots off and let's see if he can take the power,” said a quietly confident Witter. Previously scheduled to defend his European title against mandatory contender and former WBC title challenger Gianluca Branco on this show, promoter Mick Hennessy turned to N'Dou when the Italian relinquished his position. Somewhat against the norm, Witter's replacement will arguably provide him with a sterner examination, and is well respected following his impressive showings against Sharmba Mitchell and Puerto Rican sensation Miguel Cotto last year. “I'd agree that a victory over N'Dou would be a better result for me (than beating Branco). Mainly because he hasn't just gone the distance with one champion, he's gone the distance with two. He's had 47 fights and has never been stopped. He's big, strong, throws lots of different combinations, very tough, very durable. He looks tall and he's got a brilliant chin,” admitted Witter, who appears under no illusions as to the magnitude of the task ahead of him. Not only did N'Dou push Sharmba Mitchell all the way, he also provided current WBO champion and 140lb heir apparent Miguel Cotto with his toughest argument to date. “I noticed that he was very comfortable boxing as a southpaw against Mitchell. In fact, I think he did better as a southpaw than he did when he was orthodox,” reflected Witter on his opponent dubbed as the “Blank Panther”. Not only is Witter preoccupied with devising a strategy to nullify N'Dou, he is finally looking forward to silencing his stateside critics who are still to forgive him for his negative showing against Zab Judah in a failed IBF title challenge in June 2000. This is in spite of Witter accepting the fight against one of Boxing's hottest properties on nine days notice and lasting to the final bell. The Judah setback remains Witter's only defeat on his 30-1-2 (19) ledger, but is still firmly etched in people's minds. Vowing to prove his detractors wrong Witter, almost overnight, turned from talented boxer to spiteful puncher and has reeled off 15 consecutive KO victories in romping to British, Commonwealth and European title successes. “I've got to go out there and show them how Junior Witter is now in order to settle all arguments. I know the referees over there aren't going to jump in just because he might be hurt from one single shot. If I stopped him over here they (the Americans) might presume that the fight was halted too early so it's better for me to beat him right in front of them,” Junior surmised. Despite destroying everyone put in front of him with effortlessly ease post-Judah, Witter has worryingly failed to travel beyond five rounds since beating Alan Temple in July 2001. Indeed, in his winning 15-fight run Witter has averaged a startling 2.6 rounds per outing, leading some to feel that the resilient N'Dou may drown a tiring Witter down the stretch. The Bradford stylist was quick to scotch such suggestions. “There are no real concerns because I do it in the gym (the championship distance) and I work with people who can push me. We tend to chop and change opponents all the time (a regular practice in Brendan Ingle's famed Wincobank gym). I knew sometime that I'd have to go the 12-round distance again and this is probably the first time of many,” he admitted. “I'm prepared for this mentally. I hit people who are bigger than me in the gym and they are still standing there. I know my last few opponents have fallen (15 to be precise!) but I do agree that the day is going to come when I meet someone who can take it. If he takes it, he takes it, I'll just continue to keep throwing punches like I do in the gym,” Witter added. Though primarily concentrating on securing the all-important “W”, Witter is aware he could send shocks reverberating around the congested light-welterweight division by becoming the first man to stop the Aussie-South African. “It's a possibility and believe me if I see an opportunity I will take it. But I'm not banking on that – I've planned for a 12-rounder. If I hurt him I'm going to jump on him and let them go. He's got great durability, but the way my power is right now everyone who gets hit with it really feels it. People in the gym have felt it and I just know I'm going to come through this. N'Dou's going to be in for a big surprise. He won't expect the power that is coming his way,” Witter boasted confidently. Victory would press the claims of the currently WBC no. 3 ranked Witter for a crack at Arturo Gatti's world title. In light of Floyd Mayweather's ongoing brushes with the law, the proposed Gatti-Mayweather summer super-fight could be placed on the backburner with Witter handily placed to fill the breach. “We've received no assurances at the moment. We're hoping that Mick (Hennessy) can sort something out with the WBC. We'd like this fight to be made an official eliminator for Gatti's title. As mad as it sounds that's what I'm hoping,” laughed Witter on the prospect of meeting the dynamite-fisted Gatti. “I saw Gatti's finish against Leija. He's got devastating power. He's always had it and he carries it to the very end which is what makes him so dangerous. You've got to be on the ball when you face him but I've got to get past N'Dou first!”

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