Beaten Witter gives retirement the elbow

Sheffield Star Bob Westerdale8th September, 2009

JUNIOR Witter is to try to resurrect his career by going up a division and campaigning at welterweight.

His defeat in California to Devon Alexander last month was enough to persuade the South Yorkshireman that he could no longer fight at 140lbs.

After a tennis elbow injury has cleared up, the 35-year-old Sheffield-trainer Ingle fighter intends to stage a six or eight-rounder at 147lbs around October.

He believes a win then, added to his undoubted pedigree, will earn him a shot at a Commonwealth and European shot, with the intention of an eventual world-belt shot.

Witter was criticised for quitting on his stool before the end of his fight with Alexander.

But the Doncaster-based stylist said: "My elbow had gone. I was fighting with one arm. I knew I couldn't win and there was no point in simply taking punishment.

"It would have been like sending foot soldiers into a war armed with water pistols.

"The pain was bad, more so when I was missing punches and blocking than actually punching.

"I took some shots, but I didn't take a beating. There was just a little cut, which has healed.

"Life is full of knocks and I may face a few more yet," added the boxer.

"I was more annoyed than anything else but, having had time to think, I should have gone to welterweight sooner. Losing the last four pounds to make weight really took its toll. I know I can do well at welter as soon as the tennis elbow and ligament damage has cleared."

If Witter had a choice for a European opponent early next year, it would be 38-year-old Italian Gianluca Branco, whom, he claims, has dodged him four times

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