Younger Hatton Pursues Witter Grudge Match

In the mid 2000s, UK boxing fans waited in vain for Ricky Hatton and rival Junior Witter to face off when both were formidable talents in the 140 pound division. Now years later, younger brother Matthew Hatton is the one pushing to make a Witter championship bout.

Hatton has not fought since suffering a beating in a May decision loss to Kell Brook. Hatton sits at #7 in the UK rankings. Witter is coming of decision win, also in May, over Colin Lynes that earned him the BBBofC British welterweight title.

Hatton, who’s never had a shot at the BBBofC title, believes a matchup with Witter would be an attractive one to fans given Witter’s previous history with brother Ricky.

I still have lofty ambitions and I do think I can get another chance at world level. But I’m a realist, I know I’ve got to work my way back up.

Obviously you’ve got Junior Witter as British champion and I’ve never fought for that title, and I would love to. With the history between Witter and the family it’s a fight I’d relish.

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I’ll have to defer to UK fans to chime in on if this would be a viable fight in the UK. I got the chance to talk with Matthew Hatton when he was over here to challenge Saul Alvarez. He earned the respect of American fans in not folding to the much bigger man. On the other hand, Witter has not been seen on American TV since quitting against Devon Alexander back in 2009.

I’m not sure how Witter’s looking these days at 38, but if he’s retained any of his old self the only result I can see in this fight is a Witter unanimous decision.