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15:54 GMT, Monday, 31 March 2008 16:54 UK

Witter still wants elusive Hatton

Junior Witter

Junior Witter will defend his WBC light-welterweight title against Timothy Bradley on 10 May but has again said he wants to fight Ricky Hatton.

But his British rival has repeatedly ruled out a clash with Witter.

"The British public will now be able to see the fighter who Ricky Hatton is avoiding," said the 34-year-old Witter.

Carl Froch's rearranged WBC super-middleweight title eliminator against Denis Inkin is also on the card at the Nottingham Arena.

"The WBC title is the most prestigious belt in boxing, and a title Hatton has never been able to win"
Junior Witter

"It will be great to showcase my talent in front of a nationwide audience [the card will be shown live on ITV1]," added Witter.

"I am defending my WBC title which is the most prestigious belt in boxing, and a title Hatton has never been able to win - in fact he got knocked out fighting for the WBC title in his last fight [a welterweight clash with Floyd Mayweather last December]."

Witter's ongoing war of words with his domestic 140lbs rival has only served to diminish the chances of the fight most of British boxing wants to see most from ever happening.

606: DEBATE
"Time is not on Witter's side, he needed a big fight to keep interest in him"
EM

Witter may not sell tickets but he proved in his seventh-round stoppage of former IBF champion Vivian Harris in his last fight in June that he deserves a showdown with Hatton.

But Hatton once again ruled out a clash with the Bradford switch-hitter last week, saying: "If Junior Witter was fighting in my backyard, I'd shut the curtains."

Witter had been due to defend his crown against Demetrius Hopkins in the US this month until Hopkins withdrew.

American Bradley, 24, has won all 21 of his professional fights, 11 by stoppage. A projected eliminator against Jose Luis Castillo last month for the right to challenge Witter was cancelled when Castillo failed to make the weight.




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Related to this story:

Mayweather 'wants Hatton rematch' (27 Mar 08 |  Boxing )
Inkin withdraws from Froch match (17 Mar 08 |  Boxing )
Witter seeks Hatton title fight (10 Dec 07 |  Boxing )
Witter stops Harris to keep title (07 Sep 07 |  Boxing )
Witter stops Morua to retain belt (20 Jan 07 |  Boxing )
Hatton on borrowed time - Witter (13 Jan 07 |  Boxing )
Witter finally claims world title (16 Sep 06 |  Boxing )

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