Arturo Morua v Junior Witter
Arturo Morua v Junior Witter
However, the Bradford switch-hitter managed to pin his opponent down in the second half of the fight – and having engaged in the first sustained period of action, forced the stoppage in defence of the world title he won against DeMarcus Corley last year.
Morua defied pre-fight expectation by adopting a cagey stance, forcing
Witter on to the front foot. Neither fighter enjoyed much success in the opening three minutes, although Witter at least showed intent.
Usually a counter-puncher, Witter landed the first significant blow of the contest in the second round as a left hand made contact. He followed it with a similar shot, and moments later his first real combination ensured the initiative was his.
A well-placed left hook by Morua in round three served only to engage Witter, who hit back with two of his own. The Mexican, a rank underdog going into the fight, seemed content – if not comfortable – to remain on the defensive.
The sturdy but limited Mexican was clearly struggling to cope with Witter’s switch-hitting style as the fourth round also went the home favourite’s way.
Witter, though, was struggling to capitalise on his advantage by throwing few jabs and insufficient combinations.
Morua showed signs of gradually coming out of his shell, catching Witter well with another left before finding himself on the receiving end of two solid single left hands and another powerful shot towards the end of the fifth.
When Morua did venture forward he enjoyed some success, while Witter attempted to pick him off with single shots which were enough to earn him the rounds but not seriously hurt his opponent.
Witter did get his man down early in the seventh round, but it was ruled a slip. A leading southpaw right late in the round caught Morua sweetly as he retreated but showed no lasting effect.
Witter found success with the first uppercut he threw in the bout – a short, rising right in the eighth which briefly rocked Morua as the champion cruised through the fight.
Witter stepped up the work-rate in the ninth and, after a solid left-right combination, finally pounced.
Another combination had Morua visibly shaken for the first time – but while the Yorkshireman looked to finish the job with his man on the ropes, referee Tim Adams bizarrely gave Morua an eight-count despite him apparently not touching down.
Witter was undeterred, however, rushing forward to throw wide lefts and rights, to which Morua had no answer. This time referee Adams had little hesitation in stepping in and waving the contest over.
The victory was the 35th in Witter’s career, while Morua now has eight defeats on his record.
Witter was slightly disappointed with his performance but blamed that on the lack of quality sparring partners in the lead-up to the fight.
“It was a little bit slow for me. The timing was not quite right,” he told Sky Box Office. “With Christmas and New Year, people who I wanted to spar with weren’t available.
“But I worked on my fitness and I tried to get my timing right – and it was good enough.”
Witter admitted he thought Morua would come at him more, and also felt the referee could have acted sooner in stopping the fight. “We were expecting him to come forward, but he is a smart man and tried to confuse me,” he said.
“I hurt him. The ref should have stopped it straightaway or let me finish him before the standing eight count – but I finished him off after that.”
