Branco ducks Witter news

[elveiel]

Italy’s Gianluca Branco has decided to relinquish his position as the mandatory challenger for the European light welterweight title rather than fight current champion Junior Witter.

Hennessy Sports, who won the purse bid for the contest, had intended to place the fight on February 19th Eastman-Hopkins promotion at the Staples Centre in LA, but Branco’s team declined to complete the necessary contracts.

“This is the kind of problem you are always going to have with a talent like Junior,” Hennessy Sports head Mick Hennessy said on hearing the news.

“He is becoming notorious throughout Europe; nobody wants to fight him.

“Not even a world-class operator like Branco, despite the fact there is a genuine title at stake.

He added: “These days, given the proliferation of fringe belts, there is always an easy option for fighters who don’t fancy the job against a credible champion.

“It is not healthy for the sport. That is one of the reasons Hennessy Sports fighters will always tread the traditional title path: Area-British-Commonwealth-European and then genuine world honours.”

Witter will now face another high profile opponent on February 19th.

“I don’t want to say anything just yet,” added Hennessy. “But there is some exciting news in the pipeline. Stay tuned to HennessySports.com for announcements.”

http://www.hennessysports.com/Article.asp?art=148

IMO there's more to the story than Hennessy sports make out, i cant imagine Branco would fight Gatti but not Witter

[Arrington]

That does seem quite ridicuos that he wouldn't try to get another shot at a title against a lesser opponent

[Casey]

i think witter can beat gatti to be honest

[elveiel]

i think witter can beat gatti to be honest

He probably could beat Gatti but i'd favour Gatti, on the rare occasion when Witter steps in with a fighter with half decent power he doesnt like it. I could be very wrong but i think Witter would quit if Gatti took him to war.

[DLT]

That does seem quite ridicuos that he wouldn't try to get another shot at a title against a lesser opponent

He didnt have enough time to prepare and that title doesnt mean **** anyway. I think he is ranked high for alot of the huge bouts so he probally figures why risk his high ranking to fight a dangeroug guy for a bogus title. He will probally be in line for the winner of Gatti and Floyd or for Harris's title or the winner of Hatton and Zoo

[HayeFan]

Good news IMO.

Unless of course he opts for a tune-up. It doesn't sound as though he will though.

Harris would seem like a viable option, for several good reasons. Does anyone know what his schedule's like? Could that fight be made?

Witter skyrocketed in 2004, 2005 should deservedly be his year.

[Toller]

I really hope Hennesy means what he says about there being exciting news in the pipeline, Witter deserves the chance to show what he can do against a world class fighter. He's a good promotor so I wouldn't have thought it would be a Warren type opponent.

[DiegoFuego]

i think witter can beat gatti to be honest

Shame on you. Witter is a British fighter, is he not? Can we say overhyped?

[WillieW]

Good news IMO.

Unless of course he opts for a tune-up. It doesn't sound as though he will though.

Harris would seem like a viable option, for several good reasons. Does anyone know what his schedule's like? Could that fight be made?

Witter skyrocketed in 2004, 2005 should deservedly be his year.

The Harris option is a very real possibility. Harris can't buy a fight these days, Witter could get it if the terms are right. I don't know where Witter is in the WBA ranking (can't be bothered to look), but I'm sure it could be worked out.

Harris KOs him though.......