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Witter makes Hatton offer
Bradford fighter will take minore purse cut to fight Hatton in Manchester
Last updated: 20th February 2008
Witter: Wants Hatton fight
If Ricky talks about giving his fans a special homecoming then Junior is the only opponent who fits the bill. It is such a shame that they seem to want to avoid what would be one of the biggest all-British fights in generations.
Junior Witter has launched another attempt to set-up a huge all-British clash with Ricky Hatton by offering to accept a minor share of the purse from a City of Manchester Stadium showdown.
Hatton's big homecoming fight at his beloved Manchester City's home ground is scheduled for May 24, but the plans are struggling due to American pay-per-view giants Home Box Office (HBO) not guaranteeing full financial support.
HBO are showing Shane Mosley's clash with Zab Judah the weekend before Hatton's proposed fight and so are not committing themselves to showcasing the Hitman's contest.
The lack of the US money puts the bout in some jeopardy, and Witter says that Hatton need to attract as much interest as possible for the fight.
Colombian Juan Lazcano is thought to be the favourite opponent, but Witter believes he is the only man who can make a success of Hatton's homecoming.
The Bradford switch-hitter, who impressed when defeating Lazcano's conqueror Vivian Harris, says he would be willing to take a vastly inferior cut of the purse to lure Hatton into facing him.
Percentage
The WBC light-welterweight champion would be entitled to 70 percent of the money under WBC rules, but he is willing to accept just 30 percent top get Hatton into the ring.
"I am so keen to make this fight I would accept 30% and let Hatton have the lion's share," said Witter.
"I believe that is the only way I could ever persuade Ricky to fight me. He talks about a grand homecoming to thank his fans, but why doesn't he give them what they really want, which is a fight with me?
"He has no excuses. He says I have disrespected him but that's exactly what he did to Floyd Mayweather to get a fight with him.
"The only other reason I can think of is that he knows I will knock him out."
Hatton bagged around £10 million for his showdown with Floyd Mayweather in December, and Witter says only a mouth-watering British clash with him would give him another big pay day.
Hatton's camp have already distanced themselves from facing Witter any time soon, but promoter Mick Hennessy will still be ****ing on the door trying to make the fight.
Options
Witter's next appointment with Demetrius Hopkins in Palm Springs likely to be called off due to a split in the Hopkins camp, but even if that deal falls through Hennessy is still hopeful of finding an alternative.
Either way, he says Witter will be ready to fight Hatton in May.
"Junior likes to keep busy and so whatever happens next month he would be ready to fight Ricky Hatton in May," said Hennesy.
"I have contacted the Hatton camp but they just don't seem to want to know.
"If Ricky talks about giving his fans a special homecoming then Junior is the only opponent who fits the bill.
"It is such a shame that they seem to want to avoid what would be one of the biggest all-British fights in generations."
A second-best option for Witter could be a unification bout against classy IBF champion Paulie Malignaggi.
He said this week: "I want Witter because it means the most at 140lbs. I want to beat people that will prove myself."
.................................................. ...........
checked the other Witter - Hatton thread and didnt see this, sorry if its been posted already.
Bradford fighter will take minore purse cut to fight Hatton in Manchester
Last updated: 20th February 2008
Witter: Wants Hatton fight
If Ricky talks about giving his fans a special homecoming then Junior is the only opponent who fits the bill. It is such a shame that they seem to want to avoid what would be one of the biggest all-British fights in generations.
Junior Witter has launched another attempt to set-up a huge all-British clash with Ricky Hatton by offering to accept a minor share of the purse from a City of Manchester Stadium showdown.
Hatton's big homecoming fight at his beloved Manchester City's home ground is scheduled for May 24, but the plans are struggling due to American pay-per-view giants Home Box Office (HBO) not guaranteeing full financial support.
HBO are showing Shane Mosley's clash with Zab Judah the weekend before Hatton's proposed fight and so are not committing themselves to showcasing the Hitman's contest.
The lack of the US money puts the bout in some jeopardy, and Witter says that Hatton need to attract as much interest as possible for the fight.
Colombian Juan Lazcano is thought to be the favourite opponent, but Witter believes he is the only man who can make a success of Hatton's homecoming.
The Bradford switch-hitter, who impressed when defeating Lazcano's conqueror Vivian Harris, says he would be willing to take a vastly inferior cut of the purse to lure Hatton into facing him.
Percentage
The WBC light-welterweight champion would be entitled to 70 percent of the money under WBC rules, but he is willing to accept just 30 percent top get Hatton into the ring.
"I am so keen to make this fight I would accept 30% and let Hatton have the lion's share," said Witter.
"I believe that is the only way I could ever persuade Ricky to fight me. He talks about a grand homecoming to thank his fans, but why doesn't he give them what they really want, which is a fight with me?
"He has no excuses. He says I have disrespected him but that's exactly what he did to Floyd Mayweather to get a fight with him.
"The only other reason I can think of is that he knows I will knock him out."
Hatton bagged around £10 million for his showdown with Floyd Mayweather in December, and Witter says only a mouth-watering British clash with him would give him another big pay day.
Hatton's camp have already distanced themselves from facing Witter any time soon, but promoter Mick Hennessy will still be ****ing on the door trying to make the fight.
Options
Witter's next appointment with Demetrius Hopkins in Palm Springs likely to be called off due to a split in the Hopkins camp, but even if that deal falls through Hennessy is still hopeful of finding an alternative.
Either way, he says Witter will be ready to fight Hatton in May.
"Junior likes to keep busy and so whatever happens next month he would be ready to fight Ricky Hatton in May," said Hennesy.
"I have contacted the Hatton camp but they just don't seem to want to know.
"If Ricky talks about giving his fans a special homecoming then Junior is the only opponent who fits the bill.
"It is such a shame that they seem to want to avoid what would be one of the biggest all-British fights in generations."
A second-best option for Witter could be a unification bout against classy IBF champion Paulie Malignaggi.
He said this week: "I want Witter because it means the most at 140lbs. I want to beat people that will prove myself."
.................................................. ...........
checked the other Witter - Hatton thread and didnt see this, sorry if its been posted already.
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