Moore than enough for Junior
14/08/06

Junior has enrolled the help of British Light Middleweight Champion Jamie Moore in the build up to his World Title showdown with American DeMarcus Corley. Like Witter, Moore - a strong, come-forward style southpaw - is also preparing for the biggest fight of his career, against the dangerous Matthew Macklin in late September. The arrangement seems to have benefited both Moore and Witter, not least because of the difficultly of finding quality sparring partners during boxing’s closed-season.

"It’s always difficult at this time of year to find someone outside of my own gym to spar with. Not many fighters train throughout the summer, fortunately Jamie has. My manager John Ingle spoke to Steve Woods [Moore’s manager] and arranged the sessions," said Junior.

‘Jaime is tough, strong and doesn't mind getting hit - he just keeps coming forward! We have sparred a few times over the last few weeks but each time it gets harder to slip shots past him because he works fighters out very well. Its good for me because I have to work a lot harder than I normally would, if I stand still for more than a few seconds I know big shots are coming my way!"
‘Corley won't be as big and as strong as Jaime but I would imagine he will be a bit quicker, so if he does get lucky and catch me with anything decent my chin will stand up to it."

Junior has also been working with other natural southpaws from the Ingle Gym in Sheffield; Mushan Nasser (unbeaten in nine pro fights) along with Manu Salari, the tough Iranian who KOd Martin Concepcion. Chris Saunders (former British Welterweight Champion (best remembered for his thrilling punch up with Kevin Leushing) has also been lending a glove.

"The sparring I've had has been a good mix of different southpaw styles, Mushan is a very fit, very fast counter puncher, Manu Salari and Chris Saunders can both box and carry a KO punch in both hands. I am covering every angle, Corley is a tricky awkward fighter - it’s going to be a hard fight he has only lost to quality opposition.

It's the hardest Junior has trained for a fight and at 32 he cannot afford to get it wrong this time. There are bigger, better and more lucrative fights down the line but Junior has to get past the gate keeper Corley first.