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Witter: Catch me if you can
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| Junior Witter, left, and Tim Bradley square up to each other in Nottingham |
Junior Witter has laughed off claims that tomorrow's opponent Tim Bradley has sussed him out.
Bradford's box of tricks has stormed his way to WBC world title success by bamboozling rival fighters with his switch-hitting Ingle style.
Unbeaten American Bradley, ranked number one contender for the belt, reckons he has seen enough of Witter to work out the tricks when the pair clash at Nottingham Arena.
And the champion is happy to let him think that.
"Bradley says he knows what he's getting involved in and thinks he's got my number," said Witter. "But I've heard all that before.
"I remember when Johnny Nelson was sparring Mark Hobson, who came into our gym saying he would hammer him. He'd studied Johnny's fights and was going to do this and that - but in the end couldn't lay a finger on him.
"It had looked so easy thinking about it but he couldn't touch Johnny when it mattered. That's the problem that Tim Bradley has with me.
"He can see the openings are there but he's got to have the gumption that he's going to get caught trying to find them. Sometimes I leave openings on purpose but you've got to guess when.
"He is a high energy fighter who throws a lot of punches but it's landing a lot of punches that is the difference.
"Tim is in that bad position where he is coming up against it and he's got nowhere to go.
"It's good to see the desire and hunger in him but when I put my shots together, he will feel the power. And when I catch him, I know I'm going to take him out."
Bradley, who has sparred over 100 rounds, admits he has struggled sleeping because he is so excited by the biggest night of his career.
The 24-year-old Californian said: "I look at the belt and I tremble. That's how bad I want it.
"I see Junior's picture on there and I dream that it will soon have mine. It's the most prestigious title out there - great fighters like Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Floyd Mayweather have all worn the green belt.
"It's the only belt I've known since I was a kid and I'm so ready to unleash.
"Junior Witter doesn't get the respect he deserves because everyone looks at what he did against Zab Judah eight years ago. But he's dedicated to the game, a much better fighter now and a good champion.
"But I pretty much know all of his antics and will definitely figure him out. Just don't blink."
Witter is making his third world title defence but insists he is still warming into the position.
He added: "I want to carry on until I get to the stage where I'm getting beaten up. I'm nowhere near that yet.
"I've held the title for 20 months and I aim to hold it for the next six years. I want to continue at the top."
The fight is live on ITV1 tomorrow at 10.15pm.
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7:19am Friday 9th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: BRADFORDSUNWIN, Grove House on 12:40pm Fri 9 May 08
Come on Junior, slap him daft! Don't get drawn into the mind games!
Come on Junior, slap him daft! Don't get drawn into the mind games!
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