Bradford boxer Junior Witter has landed a 'world' title shot - at less than three days notice.

The 25-year-old will face Birmingham's Malcolm Melvin for the World Boxing Federation's light welterweight crown on the big Joe Calzaghe-Robin Reid bill being held at the Telewest Arena in Newcastle on Saturday.

The bill is being broadcast live on satellite and is being heavily promoted on Sky's subscription-only channel Sky Box Office.

The WBF title is one of the least -regarded among the ever-expanding array of 'world' boxing titles.

It is only fully recognised in Asia, Australia and Europe, but it gives Witter the chance gain international exposure on the road to his ultimate goal - a World Boxing Union title bout against Liverpool's Shea Neary.

The Frank Warren-managed Witter was only offered the chance to take on Melvin late last night, and says he had little hesitation in picking up the gauntlet.

"It didn't take me long to decide," admits the former Bradford Police Boys club boxer.

"They said 'do you want it?' and I said 'you bet'.

"Opportunities don't come up very often and you have to take them.

"It's not the highest-rated title in the world, but it will get me noticed - and, at the end of the day, it's still a world title."

Witter has no worries about taking the Melvin fight at such short notice.

He was due to face Melvin at the end of January, but the bout was called off at the last minute, and says that he is fully prepared for Saturday.

"I'm in good nick physically after preparing for the January bout.

"Since then I've been only ticking over in the gym, but mentally I'm right up for it. I'm not the sort of boxer who needs to loads of time to stew over a fight - I'm really focused."

Witter is the third Bradford boxer to be involved in major title fights over the next few months.

British lightweight champion Bobby Vanzie makes his first defence of his crown against Anthony Campbell in Birmingham on April 1.

And Derek Roche, who trains in Bradford, is lined up to face Scotland's Charlie Kane for the British welterweight title in Manchester on April 10.

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