Boxing world champion Junior Witter has spoken of the "joy and sorrow" he felt the night he won the biggest fight of his life, only to find one of his mentors had died.

Robert Powell, a friend and early guide to Bradford's first boxing world champion, passed away just days before Friday's title bout at London's Alexandra Palace.

Witter brushed aside his American challenger DeMarcus Corley to take the WBC world light-welterweight crown to gain his place among Bradford's sporting greats.

Mr Powell was club warden at the famous Bradford City Police Boys Club where Junior Witter received some of his first coaching.

Witter said: "I heard just after the fight because the people around me thought I had so much going on it was better that way.

"It was kind of hard to have that joy and sorrow on the same night."

Speaking about Mr Powell, he said: "He was a man with a heart of gold and was always doing things for other people.

"He has been in my life since I was 11 years old and was a big influence on my life for years. He would have been very proud.

"It is kind of hard to speak about him and I can't believe that he's gone."

Mr Powell, who also saw Bradford Bulls and Bradford Northern legends Brian Noble and Keith Mumby pass through the club, offered major encouragement in Witter's fledgling career.

Simon Foster, a friend of Mr Powell's from the club, said: "Rob would have been over the moon that this young man who took to boxing very quickly has achieved this.

"Rob took a particular interest in Junior Witter's development. He was always a good boxer and became something of a leader to younger boxers at the club."

Mr Foster is the son of the late Bradford Northern legend Trevor Foster, another leading light at the Walker Road club, which now goes under the name Prism.

He said Junior Witter was coached in boxing by the club's Alec Allan, while Mr Powell offered strong support and guidance.

"Rob had a generosity and kindness that the kids responded to and that was certainly the case with Junior Witter," he said.

"They remained friends long after he left the club."

He added: "Above all there was a respect between the two of them. Junior Witter has a discipline and simplicity in the way he conducts his life which Rob admired, and I think Junior Witter appreciated the way Rob treated people with respect."

He recalled Junior Witter and Rob Powell arriving at church together before the funeral of Mr Foster's father.

"I think Rob will be looking down on what Junior Witter has achieved and he will be smiling."

Witter, 32, urged Bradford's youngsters to keep striving for their dreams.

He said: "Keep trying and you can succeed in life. Stay true to the cause and put the groundwork in.

"Do the bits that are boring and hopefully your dreams will come true."

He now plans to have a short rest at home and spend time with his family.

He will return to the gym in a couple of weeks and vowed to capitalise on his success.