Witter: I'll be back bigger and better

6:50am Monday 12th May 2008

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Junior Witter today guaranteed he still has the fight in him to become a world champion again.

Witter is coming to terms with Saturday's shock loss to American Tim Bradley which cost him the WBC light-welterweight crown.

But the Bradford fighter shot down any suggestions that he would quit.

"No way," he declared, "It's a horrible feeling to lose the title but I'm going to come back - bigger and better.

"At my age, as people keep telling me, I've got to get it right on the night and it just didn't happen.

"But it's not the last-chance saloon. I'm still right up there in the rankings and we're already talking about a rematch over in America.

"That began as soon as the final bell went. Mick (promoter Hennessy) is talking to Bradley's people and the WBC are fine with it. I'm not finished."

Witter was beaten on a split decision at Nottingham - only his second defeat in 40 outings as a pro. The narrow verdict hinged on a sixth-round knockdown when Bradley dumped him with a rocketing right hook.

The deposed champion admitted it was a poor performance in a fight beamed live to millions by ITV. He also hinted that personal distractions may have played a part.

Witter added: "I left my best form in the gym. I peaked too soon because I was ready for March 24 (when he should have faced Demetrius Hopkins in America).

"I've been hitting it hard in training for four months all the way through but I got in that ring and it wasn't me.

"I felt like I was trying to box in water because nothing seemed to flow. I knew from the first round that it wasn't going to be a star performance so I just had to get through it and win.

"Things were going right for me until that one shot. He was a good fighter who had definitely studied me but everything was cool until then.

"There are a lot of things happening in my life at the moment. I'm not the type of person to usually let that affect me and try to push things to the back of my mind. I try to carry on with my life but maybe that was there."

Coach Brendan Ingle felt Witter was only performing at "50 per cent" but still could have held on to the belt with a draw.

"That wasn't the Junior Witter he should have been. You've got to be 100 per cent focused at this level or you'll get found out.

"He was getting hit with silly shots which isn't him. But he still only lost the title on a split decision.

"Your man didn't stamp his authority completely and the fight was close enough to give it a draw."

Trainer Dominic Ingle said: "Bradley did well on the night but you've seen he's nothing special. Had Junior boxed like he did against Vivian Harris, he would have smashed him to bits."

Bradley, who accused Witter of concentrating too much on Ricky Hatton in the build-up, said: "I will give Junior Witter a rematch if the money's right."

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