Boxing: Witter faces uncertain future after Bradley loss
Monday, 12 May 2008
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Junior Witter endured a dreadful night in Nottingham on Saturday, losing both his World Boxing Council light-welterweight title and any faint hope of a fight against Ricky Hatton. Witter was defending his title for the third time against his unbeaten No 1 contender Timothy Bradley in a fight that was a risk but at the same time still looked within Witter's capabilities.
However, there was something missing from Witter's performance and it was obvious from the opening bell that his timing, which to a fluid fighter like Witter is essential, was woeful.
Bradley arrived with an unbeaten record and a decent reputation but he was made at times to look a lot better than the facts of his career. In short Witter performed well under par.
In round six Bradley connected high to Witter's head with a wild right and the champion from Bradford crashed heavily to the canvas. He beat the count but looked dazed and confused in the corner during the minute's break and there is an argument that it took him two or three more rounds to recover fully.
Witter is not a fighter to make excuses after a bad performance and when it was over he refused to point the finger in any direction, but it transpires that his father was recently diagnosed to be suffering from a serious illness.
During the last three or four rounds the 10-year age gap between the boxers started to become painfully apparent and Bradley, sensing victory, took control against a by now exhausted Witter.
At the final bell Bradley was raised high on his father's shoulders but Witter could barely raise his hand. The fight was close but nobody doubted that Bradley had done enough.
However, when the MC Jimmy Lennon, who had flown in from America because the fight was being broadcast on American TV, announced the split decision there was a look of fear on Bradley's face.
But he won the split decision and Witter left the ring to an uncertain future. One possibility is that he may switch divisions and compete in the future at welterweight.
