Witter Wins 1st Defence
23/01/07

Junior retained his WBC light-welterweight belt with a thoroughly convincing ninth-round stoppage of tough Mexican challenger Arturo Morua. Witter’s performance drew almost unanimous approval from the fight fraternity as the Ingle trained switch-hitter re-confirmed his position amongst the world’s 10st elite.

Morua was intimidated as soon as felt Witter’s power and, even though the champ won virtually every round, Junior had a somewhat frustrating time trying to square off the Mexican and make him engage.

But the end came in spectacular fashion in the ninth round. Morua winced after taking a vicious body shot and, sensing his opponent’s vulnerability, Junior jumped in and unleashed a series of power shots with both hands, sending the brave Morua sagging against the ropes where the referee intervened and gave a standing count. But this would prove merely a stay of execution as Junior immediately picked up where he had left off, raining in a number of wicked, unanswered head shots and giving the ref no option but to rescue the challenger from what could have become a severe beating.

All told it was a good performance showcasing Witter’s well-known technical skills, speed and power but also, perhaps for the first time since he stepped into world class, a growing ability to pace himself and carry his power late into a fight. It was the first time Junior had stopped an opponent after the six-round mark.

Meanwhile, British rival Ricky Hatton laboured to a dull but unanimous points victory against Colombian Juan Urango, regaining the IBF light-welter belt that he had previously relinquished. Against an extremely basic opponent Hatton started well showing decent footwork and handspeed and a renewed interest in throwing jabs and combinations. But after taking some decent body shots in the fifth he slipped back into his ugly jab-and-grab ways as trainer Billy Graham urged him to do whatever necessary to ‘get through the fight’. From rounds seven onwards the fight bore more resemblance to a wrestling match as Hatton, with his lead on the cards beyond doubt, simply rushed in and grabbed his stronger opponent in an attempt to tie him up and stop him throwing meaningful punches. Although there could be no debate who won, Hatton’s reputation as an exciting fighter will not survive many more cuddle-fests such as this.