Bradley shatters Witter dreams
NOTTINGHAM, England (AFP) — Timothy Bradley sent Junior Witter to the canvas before triumphing by a split points decision to win the WBC light-welterweight title at the Trent FM Arena in Nottingham on Saturday.
Bradley floored Englishman Witter in the sixth round but the champion regained his composure before the American edged it 115-113 and 114-113 to 115-112 on points.
Witter had been favourite to win the fight and stay on course for world title unification fights and improve his hopes of one day fighting British rival Ricky Hatton. But Bradley shattered Witter's dreams with a polished performance of aggression and accurate punching.
Victory for unbeaten Bradley improved his record to 22-0, while Witter slumped to 36-2-2, with his first defeat since losing on points to American Zab Judah for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) version of the world title.
Witter, who was making his third defence, came close to defeat earlier in the fight. Bradley sent Witter sinking to the canvas in his own corner in the sixth with a right to the temple.
Witter survived to ensure he did not suffer his first career stoppage, but he could not seize control of the fight in a cautious approach.
It was an impressive first professional fight outside of his country for Bradley, who landed other big blows to lift his first world title.
Witter could never control the fight like he had his previous two defences and at the end of the fight was left wondering whether he had done enough.
But Witter, 34, looked sharp in the first round when he knocked Bradley off balance with a lightening-fast left hook to the temple.
Bradley, 24, gave Witter some trouble in the fourth before the champion restored order in the fifth with a straight left.
Witter may have got through with skilful shots but by the halfway mark none had really bothered Bradley too much.
The first big shot of the fight was landed by Bradley, who unleashed a looping right to the temple that sank Witter in his own corner.
Witter got up to take the eight count and then got on his bike for the remaining 30 seconds of the round to ensure he stayed out of more danger.
Bradley landed more big blows and Witter was left sweating at the end on whether he had done enough - and he hadn't in a decision that he could not complain too much about.
