Monday, May 12, 2008, Jamadi-ul-Awwal 5, 1429    

Boxing: Bradley shatters Witter dreams

Nottingham (England)—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.—AFP