Siddique grateful for Witter advice (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Siddique grateful for Witter advice

2:00pm Thursday 2nd July 2009

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Nadeem Siddique got an ear-bashing from Junior Witter after his return to the ring went sour – and then thanked him for it.

Witter tore his old pal off a strip with an x-rated phone call following Siddique’s recent disqualification loss to Tom Glover.

And, having watched the fight again, Siddique admitted he had to agree with every stinging word.

Siddique said: “I got such a rollicking from Junior. He was saying that it’s about time I realised my potential because the performance had been well below par.

“I’ve got a great fanbase, get offered fights left, right and centre and I’ve got to make the most of those opportunities.

“I knew exactly where he was coming from and there were no excuses. The criticism is part and parcel of the game and I hadn’t performed.”

Siddique was sore at referee Howard Foster in the immediate aftermath for stopping the contest because of his persistent low blows but, having allowed the dust to settle, he now accepts the official’s verdict.

The Bradford fighter said: “It was a fair disqualification and I’m happy with the decision. The ref told me off four times – two were low, two weren’t – but he gave me ample warning and I didn’t learn.”

Rather than moping over the setback, Siddique was packed straight off to France to get it out his system with some top-notch sparring last week among elite company.

Former WBA light-welterweight world champion Souleymane M’Baye, who is due to fight for the vacant European title, and hot prospect Ali Chebah – the WBC youth title holder – provided the classy opposition and Siddique more than held his own.

He said: “I was too strong for Chebah and had no problems with M’Baye. He’s very fast and accurate but I competed with him.

“I came back without a scratch. It’s a bit frustrating that I can spar with some of the best in the world like that and don’t show how good I am when it matters.

“But I know that if I keep at it then that big fight will come and I’m determined to take it. Junior had to wait six-and-a-half years to get a crack at the British title but if you want it enough, then it will happen.”

Meanwhile, Witter’s duel with American Devon Alexander for the vacant WBC belt on August 1 has been confirmed for the Aqua Caliente Casino Resort in Rancho Mirage, southern California.

Topping the bill is local boy Tim Bradley, who took the title from Witter in Nottingham last May.

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