Junior Witter: The forgotten man of Sheffield boxing

Junior Witter will make a brief return to the spotlight on Friday, when he will be signing copies of his autobiography at an event in Sheffield

But generally, the respect you would expect to see for a former WBC world champion from Brendan Ingle's Wincobank gym has been in short supply.

"Yes, I suppose I am the forgotten man of boxing," says Junior, who can sometimes be irritated at how history sees him — or rather, how it doesn’t

"Look at the film (Giant) they released on Brendan and Naz (Naseem Hamed) - I am not mentioned at any one point in Giant, not even in the credits, as far as I am aware. That is unreal.

"You see lists of the top 10 boxers to come from Britain and my name is ignored. I see that all the time, I never get a look-in.

"I know how good I was and what I won and I was better than the majority of those in some lists," said Witter.

"I was the first British fighter to win the WBC super lightweight title (he beat DeMarcus Corley on 15 September 2006 to claim the vacant belt.)

"It was the best title in the best division at the time, very competitive."

Witter, who now lives in Parkgate and has a gym in Eastwood, Rotherham dismissed suggestions his style wasn't popular, saying: "Whatever style you have, some people will like it others won't.

"I was awkward to fight and boxed on the back foot. That style never got the hype it deserved. I had 15 KOs in a row and still had people telling me I was a non-puncher.

"I have been quiet about this for years, but when I am asked I just tell it how it is."

Witter, 52, added: "I am not the only one to be left out of these lists, nobody ever mentions Kirkland Laing and he beat Roberto Durán (1982.)

"And you don't have to have lots of titles to have been a great boxer and gym member - Lee Noble (who died in 2021,) was a massive part of the Ingle gym. He had his ups and downs but was a great character and personality and helped all those around him."

Witter thinks management and promotion is key to becoming well-loved by the public.

"Kell (Brook) is always mentioned because he got the hype just at the right time from Eddie Hearn who really promoted him well.

"When I was with Frank Warren I was never his favourite, Ricky Hatton was.

And when I was with Mick Hennessy, I found he was very good at management and associating with the various Commissions but not as good at promoting.

"Yes, it seems I am the forgotten man of boxing. But that is just the way it is.

"You have got to understand life isn't always fair and you don't get what you deserve.

"There is no point about getting depressed and sulk about it - it is better to remember how good I was. I was the best in the world.

"And people in the know, know that."

*The former champion hosts An Evening With Junior Witter/Book Launch Party in The Three Arches Events Space, off The Wicker, on Friday from 7pm.

Admission is free.

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