I Told Ya Hopkins vs Witter Would Happen!

Source: Bradford's Telegraph & Argus

Junior Witter is ready to win over a legion of American fans by slaying "The Gladiator".
Witter will make his second trip to the United States to defend his WBC light-welterweight world title against unbeaten Demetrius Hopkins on March 22.
It is a huge chance for the Bradford fighter to lift his international profile - and turn up the heat on bitter rival Ricky Hatton a couple more notches.
Hopkins, nicknamed "The Gladiator", is the nephew of American middleweight great Bernard and is viewed as one of the upcoming stars by the US fight public. He has claimed 28 wins, 11 inside the distance, with one draw.
Witter, who twice floored the dangerous Lovemore N'Dou in his first fight across the pond, knows a powerful performance against another top-notch opponent will only increase the pressure on Hatton to agree to their long-awaited showdown.
Witter is buzzing after his seven-round demolition of former WBA champion Vivian Harris in September and he has promised another dynamic display to impress the influential HBO TV network, who will be staging the fight.
He said: "I'm going to deliver in America. I'm not just going to kick the door wide open but rip it off its hinges. Hopkins is good but he's not met anyone like me. It may be in his own backyard but it's just him and me in a square ring when that first bell sounds. I'm not interested in winning on points, I'm going to knock him out."
A venue is still to be finalised, although it will be on the west coast. Three years ago Witter beat N'Dou in Los Angeles - where he first met Hopkins, who was fighting on the same bill.
Witter was not particularly impressed and said: "We spoke for a bit and Hopkins came over as cocky and arrogant. He acted all big and brash as if I should be scared of him because he'd won 15 fights or so.
"He found out we both boxed at 140lb and said we'll have to fight some day but it's got to be for a title. I said that I only fight for a title.
"I'm not saying he isn't a good fighter but he struck me as over-confident and who thinks he's better than he is.
"He is taller and has a good reach but why should that bother me? Harris was about six foot as well with a very similar style - and look what happened to him.
"He's got a good reputation in America but I'm going to win in style and put the pressure on everyone out there like Hatton and Paulie Malignaggi."
Manager John Ingle added: "If Junior puts in good performance, HBO will get right behind him."
Witter had been contacted about a possible fight with Luis Castillo, who was beaten by Hatton last year, but he saw little to gain from taking it.
He said: "An offer was made but it wasn't a realistic one. It was not something I had to do and there was nothing in it for me.
"Nobody's going to pay stupid money and, because Castillo's last performance against Hatton was so bad, he has lost his credibility. It would have been a no-win situation."
The Witter bill will also feature exciting Cuban Joel Casamayor defending his WBC lightweight belt against Australian Michael Katsidis.