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  • Branco ducks Witter

    Got this from Henneseysports

    Branco ducks Witter

    2 February 2005

    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.”

    That's a pity coz if Junior did a better job on him than Gatti then that would have impressed the Americans surely so hopefully they'll get a decent replacement.

  • #2
    f.f.sake.

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    • #3
      I'm gutted about this, it was Junior's chance to impress people especially the american's.

      Has anyone got any idea who is new opponent is?

      Does Junior still have to defend the European title now if so what about Oktay Urkal or Souleymane M'baye two decent fighters.
      If not what about Artur Grigorian, Sharmba Mitchell, Vivian Harris.

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      • #4
        urkal is retired, he will naff the belt off and possibly fight Lovemore Ndou (according to a mate of mine thats the match they are trying to make). Now if he perfroms well there then he has a real stepping stone to a major title tilt.

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        • #5
          Don't think Branco really ducked. The contract was finalized yesterday (02/02/05) for a fight on the 19th of Feb. How's a fighter going to get in proper shape for such an important fight in less than 3 weeks?

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by bonafuwa
            Don't think Branco really ducked. The contract was finalized yesterday (02/02/05) for a fight on the 19th of Feb. How's a fighter going to get in proper shape for such an important fight in less than 3 weeks?
            That was to fight in the usa, it was agreed months ago that they would fight in england originally.

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            • #7
              ive heard rumours its to do with his promotional company who are skint. they wanted more money.

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              • #8
                DOesnt look like Witter will ever get his shot at the title

                Comment


                • #9
                  Lovermore Ndou would be a good matchup, he's fought Cotta and Mitchell recently so it would be good to find out where Witter stands compared to them.

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                  • #10
                    fingers crossed guys as soon as i know anything will post it here
                    in the meantime here s the latest from the british boxing net


                    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."

                    Comment

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