Junior Witter Pays Tribute to rival Ricky Hatton Following Sudden Death of Boxing Legend

As the boxing world continues to mourn the loss of one of its most cherished champions, Ricky Hatton’s longtime rival, Junior Witter, has broken his silence to offer a heartfelt tribute.

Hatton, who retired with a record of 45 wins (32 by knockout) and 3 losses, shared a decades-long rivalry with Witter (43-8-2, 23 KOs) that dated back to their amateur days in the late 1990s. Though the two never met in the ring professionally, their rivalry remained one of British boxing’s most talked-about “what ifs.”

Witter famously chased a fight with the beloved “Hitman” for years, eager to prove himself against one of the UK’s most popular and accomplished fighters. However, Hatton declined the bout, believing Witter hadn’t earned it and accusing him of using his name for publicity. Despite fan speculation and calls for the matchup—especially after Hatton captured the WBC super-lightweight title—it never materialized.

Now, following Hatton’s untimely death, Witter has spoken with Warcry Publishing to reflect on their complicated but ultimately respectful relationship.

“There was a lot of respect, a lot of love in what we did and who we became,” Witter said. “When you go through what we did in boxing for that long, it builds a certain understanding—and that understanding leads to respect.”

He revealed that in the years following their retirement, the two had become friendly, even if they weren’t particularly close.

“We weren’t best friends, but we were friends. We had some deep conversations. It’s strange to think he’s no longer here.”

Witter went on to praise Hatton’s legacy, both in and out of the ring, acknowledging the impact he had on British boxing and the lives of fans across the country.

“He had an amazing career—won the world title, won the British, did everything he set out to do. He even got to meet his heroes and live his dreams. It’s just heartbreaking that it ended so soon.”

Reflecting on their shared past, Witter recalled the many moments they exchanged jabs—both in the media and in private—and how those interactions shaped his own journey.

“We had our press conferences, the off-camera digs, the banter. Looking back, he was a big part of my career. Even when I tried to move on, people would bring it back to him.”

Witter closed with a powerful statement about Hatton’s enduring popularity and the depth of the public’s affection for him.

“He was deeply loved, and he loved deeply. Words can’t capture the impact he had in such a short life. He’ll be missed by so many.”