By Mark Vester
WBC junior welterweight champion Junior Witter is ready to make a serious impression on the American public. He's scheduled to defend his title against unbeaten Demetrius Hopkins on March 22 in California. The bout will be televised by HBO. Recently, there have been some issues between Hopkins and his former promoters, Golden Boy Promotions. The problem may cause his departure from the fight and another name may step in if the deal is not sealed.
Should Hopkins sign the contract for the fight, Witter told The People that he plans to put him away early.
"I will knock Hopkins out in five rounds because he has never been in with anyone with my power," Witter said.
After Hopkins, Witter told the paper that his target will be UK-rival Ricky Hatton. Because HBO is now in the picture, Witter feels the fight will be made.
"I've been chasing Ricky for a long time. Now he has nowhere to go and TV bosses will force our fight later this year. We are both under HBO and what they want, they get. Then I will take Ricky apart because I have a longer reach and he will just walk straight on to my jabs and uppercuts," Witter said. "After that I will do what he couldn't-step up to welterweight and dominate that division as well."
Witter lone loss came at the hand of Zab Judah. He blames the loss on accepting a fight with Judah on only nine-days notice. Witter learned his lesson well as he revealed that an offer was presented for a fight against current WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto with only two-weeks notice, but he turned it down. Once he moves up to welterweight, he plans to fight, and beat Cotto.
"I was offered Miguel Cotto with two weeks' notice but turned it down. I'll fight him and beat him next year when I have trained properly," Witter said.
Last but not least, Witter issued a response to unbeaten Commonwealth lightweight champion Amir Khan, who recently said he would move up a division and beat the likes of Witter.
"Amir just doesn't have the tools to beat me - you need more than speed," Witter said. "He has not been tested against a puncher yet. Until he fights John Thaxton he can't claim to be the best lightweight in Britain, let alone the world."
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