Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Witter Anxious to Get Back on Top


England's Junior Witter will get a shot at redemption when he faces American Devon Alexander in August.

By all accounts, Junior Witter is on the way to being in the shape of his life for his August 1st fight against Devon Alexander for the vacant WBC 140-pound title belt. Witter is rarely far from top shape and is known to always be in the gym between fights.

“I'm working on it, I'm working on it,” said Witter, 35, when asked if he was in his best ever condition. “I've got brilliant trainers in Dominic and Brendan Ingle and we're only a few weeks away [from the fight] and I feel in great shape. Everything is going very well in training and I'm happy about where I am right now.”

Witter held the WBC 140-pound belt for 20 months after gaining the vacant title in September 2006 with a unanimous decision win over DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley. Witter made two successful title defenses before losing to Timothy Bradley in May 2008. The WBC stripped Bradley of the title earlier this year which caused the vacancy.

“I'm fighting a skilled man in Devon Alexander,” said Witter. “He's unbeaten, 22 years old and he's had a lot of things go his own way so far. He's young and he's ambitious and he's a Don King fighter. I'm going to America to meet him in his back yard and when you think about all of that – everything is on his side.”

Witter, 37-2-2, 22KOs, will face Alexander at the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, California. It will be the chief undercard support to Timothy Bradley vs. Nate Campbell who will clash for the WBO 140-pound title.


Witter lost the WBC title to Timothy Bradley (left) and he is eager to win the belt back.

“I know what I need to do in the fight and I have a brilliant tactician in Brendan Ingle in my corner,” said Witter. “He knows what I need to do to in order to win and to push me harder. I've had some great sparring.”

Witter has reportedly been doing very well and has appeared sharp in the gym while sparring with undefeated welterweight Kell Brook and the always tough Jon Thaxton who is now campaigning as a lightweight. Witter fights under the promotional banner of Mick Hennessey, who also promotes WBC super middleweight titlist Carl Froch.

“I can tell you that Mick is going to have two world champions after August 1,st” promised Witter.

Even though Alexander is a southpaw and 13 years Witter's junior, “The Hitter” feels he will be victorious.

“I know there are things to worry about with him,” admitted Witter. “But I know what I've got and I know the real me didn't turn up when I lost to Timothy Bradley. When I get in the ring in August I know the real me is going to be there and I know I'm going to be walking out of the ring with my title. I'm Junior “The Hitter” Witter and I know I'm going to be there at my best and I know that I'll be bringing the title back home. I will be spot on.”


July 2009

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