By Mark Vester
WBC junior welterweight champion Junior Witter (36-1, 21KOs) will finally get the American exposure he's been looking to secure. According to a recent interview in Sky Sports, Witter will defend his title against unbeaten Demetrius Hopkins (28-0, 11KOs) on March 22 in America.
HBO will televise in what appears to be a sure move by the network to build Witter's name towards a potential future showdown with UK rival Ricky Hatton.
"I'm going to deliver in America," he told the Bradford Telegraph & Argos. "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."
Wiiter is no stranger to Hopkins. According to Witter, the pair met after the Lovemore Ndou fight in Los Angeles, where the champion claims Hopkins displayed his arrogance to him.
"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," Witter said. "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.
Witter plans to put on a boxing clinic when he meets Hopkins, hoping the big win will put pressure on Hatton and IBF champion Paulie Malignaggi to fight him.
"He is taller and has a good reach but why should that bother me? (Vivian) 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."
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