By Jake Donovan
Photo © Chris Cozzone/FightWireImages
It wasn't his first choice, but Demetrius Hopkins gladly welcomes the opportunity that comes with facing 140 lb. titlist Junior Witter.
"We called out everyone, but Junior's the one that stepped forward. So, much respect to Witter for stepping up. He'll regret it, but he still earns my respect for agreeing to the fight."
The date and location have yet to be solidified. The strongest rumors have the bout landing in the co-feature slot of a March 22 HBO telecast headlined by a lightweight bout between Joel Casamayor and Michael Katsidis.
Witter enters the fight as a junior welterweight titlist, with Ricky Hatton still reigning as the linear champion. As is the case for any 140 lb. fighter, Hopkins hopes to land a fight with Hatton sometime in 2008, seeing a Witter fight as the perfect opportunity to bridge the gap.
"This fight is definitely a springboard for bigger and better things to come, but none of that happens if I don't take care of business in March. Junior is a crafty veteran, an awkward fighter. I know I got my work cut out for me, but I take my craft seriously, and in the end, he'll find that I'm the most complete fighter he's ever fought."
Hopkins made his ascension through the junior welterweight ranks in the past few years after a slow start to his career. Things picked up in 2004 when his uncle, the world-renowned and future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins, parlayed a future relationship with Golden Boy Promotions into a side deal for Demetrius to join the stable. Demetrius has been represented by Golden Boy Promotions East, headed by his uncle, and has fought 13 times since signing with the group in September 2004.
However, sometimes keeping it in the family has its drawbacks, even if Uncle kept nephew's best interests at heart. While grateful to receive his first shot, he expected this opportunity to come a lot sooner.
"It feels good to finally get a shot, and to appear on HBO World Championship Boxing. I've been a professional for 10 years and didn't think it would take this long. My uncle and I had our differences, and I felt it was holding me back. But I'm just glad to finally get this fight."
As is the rest of his team.
"He's been wanting a fight like this for at least a year now," says trainer Derek "Bozie" Ennis, a former Philly fighter himself, and also trainer to his son, of the same name. "Junior Witter is a good fight for Demetrius, he's ready for the top fighters and needed a fight, so I'm glad to see him finally getting the opportunity."
Even if it wasn't everyone's first choice.
"Personally, I'd have preferred (Ricardo) Torres or (Paulie) Malignaggi," insists Ennis. "Witter is more awkward. Demetrius can beat any 140 lb. fighter in the world, but for a fight that's going to be on HBO, I'd rather he face a guy he can look good against, not just win. That's usually the case with awkward fighters like Witter."
Hopkins is less concerned with the opponent than he is about the location.
"I was hoping for Torres, but Junior is the only one that responded," says Hopkins (28-0-1, 11KO), whose last fight was a 10-round decision over Enrique Colin last November in Atlantic City, an hour from his hometown of Philadelphia, PA.
"The only thing I really wasn't with was traveling. They wanted us to go over there, but he needs to come here if he wants to make money. He fought Lovemore N'Dou in the States (February 2005), but his last few fights, American-based challengers been traveling over there. He needs to come back, fight an American in America."
Witter's last challenge against an American-based fighter came last September, when he delivered perhaps the best performance of his career is scoring a 7 th round knockout over Brooklyn-based former junior welterweight titlist Vivian Harris in Doncaster, England. Harris and Hopkins are roughly the same height and build, but Hopkins didn't see anything in the fight that would pose similar – if any – problems.
"I would box him more, offer more defense, since he's awkward," says Hopkins, without giving away too much of the secret recipe. "He caught Vivian with a fluky shot, one that I can look for and see coming. He's awkward and wild, but nothing I haven't seen before, whereas I'll be giving him a completely different look."
The only change in habits for the always-fit Hopkins will come in sparring.
"For this fight. I plan to bring in bigger guys, welterweights, even middleweights. That should help build up my body strength, and offset his awkwardness."
Otherwise, expect the same old Hopkins. Which, according the undefeated Philly product, will be too much for Witter to handle.
"Come March 22, I'm just going to be myself. I'll bring something new to the table, and by the end of the night I will get that belt."
Jake Donovan is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America, and the Tennessee Boxing Advisory Board. His column runs every Tuesday on BoxingScene.com.
Please feel free to submit any comments or questions to Jake at JakeNDaBox@gmail.com.
