RICKY HATTON’S long-time nemesis Junior Witter has offered the Manchester ‘Hit Man’ a major financial incentive to make a fight between the two domestic rivals next summer.
Hatton is hunting for a suitable opponent for a projected homecoming in the city in May as he bids to kick-start his 140lbs career following his unsuccessful attempt to dethrone Floyd Mayweather.
As the current holder of the most prestigious of the light-welterweight belts, WBC champion Witter would appear to fit the bill perfectly for Hatton – guaranteeing a large gate and a possible stadium venue.
But Hatton has always been reluctant to grant a fighter he clearly dislikes the biggest pay-day of his career, and potential issues over the size of the respective purses have kept the contest at arm’s length.
As champion, Witter would normally expect the biggest cut, but for the first time yesterday his promoter Mick Hennessy has indicated he would be happy for the more popular Hatton to receive the "lion’s share."
Hennessy said, "It’s never been about the money with Junior and we could make this fight in a flash. All Junior wants is the opportunity to prove that he is the best light-welterweight in the world.
"If Ricky can continue to bring the same level of profile and support, we won’t be greedy and we would be happy for him to take the lion’s share of the purse. It would make sense.
"We’d fight him anywhere he wanted. Junior’s got no mandatory commitments coming up so May would be perfect for him. If Ricky’s people are serious about making the fight, we can get it done."
Hatton’s refusal to contemplate a fight with Witter so far is a source of frustration in boxing circles given the obvious qualities which the improving Bradford man now brings to the table.
Witter clattered former champion Vivian Harris to the canvas in round seven in a career-best performance in Doncaster last September which suggested he has what it takes to seriously threaten Hatton.
His one drawback is his lack of pulling power – his fight with Harris could not sell out the Doncaster Dome – but that would hardly be an issue for an all-British super-fight at a stadium venue.
Hatton’s advisers remain reluctant. Promoters ‘Golden Boy’ would like him to stay in the United States and rebound straight into another big fight, possibly against the superb lightweight champion Juan Diaz.
Another name mooted is the IBF champion Paulie Malignaggi, but, while he is hugely popular in his native New York, his name would gain nowhere near the recognition of Witter on this side of the Atlantic.
Hatton’s father Ray has indicated a Witter fight may be makeable "down the line," but his lawyer Gareth Williams indicated personal reasons remained the biggest sticking point.
Williams said, "Ricky feels Junior has been trying to piggy-back on his success and that he’s never given him the respect he deserves. Ricky resents the thought of giving Witter his biggest pay-day."
"Ricky took thousands of fans to see him fight in Las Vegas while Junior Witter had his last fight in front of two men and a dog in a phone box in Doncaster. They’re just not in the same league."