By Mark Vester
WBC junior welterweight champion Junior Witter (36-1-2, 21KOs) is trying to derail Ricky Hatton's potential return bout for 2008. For the last two weeks, Hatton (43-1, 31KOs) has pegged IBF junior welterweight champ Paulie Malignaggi (23-1, 5KOs) as the frontrunner to face him in 08, possibly in New York's Madison Square Garden.
According to Hatton's latest layout, he will take a tuneup before a hometown crowd in the UK and then face Malignaggi on a date to be determined. Malignaggi has a mandatory title defense on January 5 against Herman Ngoudjo. Witter has been trying to land a fight with Hatton for years, and became very vocal in the press after Hatton was knocked out by Floyd Mayweather Jr. on December 8 in Las Vegas.
Gareth Williams, attorney for Ricky Hatton, spoke to Daily Mail and slammed Witter for his negative comments and trash talking in the media, making him aware that Hatton would never fight him as long as he continues to trash him in the press.
"Ricky will never fight Junior Witter as long as he keeps slagging him off in public," said Williams. "He would be better off concentrating on his own career instead of looking for a big payday on the back of Ricky's popularity. Witter's performing in front of 200 men and a dog while Ricky is topping the bill in America. We won't let Witter make his fortune by piggy-backing on Ricky's success."
Several days later in The Telegraph, Witter issued his own response.
"He wants to be known as the best light-welterweight in the world, but to do that he has to deal with me first. According to Ring Magazine I'm the best light-welter out there," Witter said. "I'd fight Hatton at Wembley, Manchester or wherever. We've spoken to HBO and Showtime who have said they are interested in making that fight."
Malignaggi, well aware of his position in landing the bout, has been baiting Hatton in the press and various interviews with his own brand of cocky trash talk.
"IBF junior welterweight champ baby. Do not get it wrong. Do not get it wrong. Hatton, I got your belt. Ricky, I got your belt Ricky. I got your belt Ricky, come and get it Ricky. I'm waiting for you. I'm the best in the world. You can not duplicate me. Talk all you want, step up to the plate. Talk is cheap, step up to the plate. I think Ricky has to step up to the plate and face the young lions at 140-pounds. He doesn't want to do that. He's never done that," Malignaggi said.
Now Witter, spurned by Hatton and his team, is looking to lure Malignaggi into a unification bout in order to get a measure of revenge by beating his UK rival's opponent of choice.
Witter told Telegraph and Argus that Malignaggi should face him to unify the titles, and he'seven willing to come to Malignaggi's backyard of New York to do it.
"Madison Square Garden is the ultimate place to fight," said Witter. "It would be amazing to box in THE home of the sport. Everybody these days is boxing in Las Vegas, which is absolutely brilliant and has become the new draw. But as a fighter who respects all the history I want to go the original home, where all the greats have fought. That would be something special."
"As far as I know, there have been talks on the management side with Malignaggi and we're just looking at when to do it. It would be a good fight for the British public. Americans keep talking about Malignaggi as their big hope but I will beat him. He's quick, got good movement and is a hard man to nail down. He's very much a boxer - but he doesn't hit as hard as me."
Witter plans to return to the ring in February or March, and then wants Malignaggi.
Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com
