Witter's big chance to showcase talent

8:02pm Friday 28th March 2008

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Junior Witter is ready to show Britain "the fighter that Ricky Hatton is avoiding".

Bradford's WBC world light-welterweight champion will make his third title defence against American Timothy Bradley.

And the fight on Saturday, May 10 at the Nottingham Arena will be live on ITV1.

Witter said: "It will be great to showcase my talent in front of a nationwide audience.

"The great British public will now be able to see the fighter who Ricky Hatton is avoiding.

"I'm defending my WBC title, the most prestigious belt in boxing - a title Hatton has never been able to win; in fact, he got knocked out fighting for the WBC title in his last fight (against Floyd Mayweather)."

Witter has not fought since smashing Vivian Harris inside seven rounds in September.

A planned clash with Demetrius Hopkins in California last week fell down after his opponent unexpectedly pulled out.

Bradley, who has won all 21 of his pro fights, has never fought outside of his native California. He was made the mandatory contender for Witter's crown by the WBC after his recent eliminator against Jose Luis Castillo also bit the dust when the Mexican failed to make the weight.

He won the WBC youth title and is regarded as one of America's rising boxing talents.

It is a great opportunity for Witter to impress viewers on terrestrial TV - two weeks before Hatton's pay-per-view fight against Juan Lazcano in Manchester.

Hatton has once again made it clear he is not interested in facing Witter in the battle of Britain that every boxing fan is desperate to see.

Witter will share top billing in May with Nottingham's Carl Froch. The super-middleweight was headlining the show on the original March 22 date but it had to be put back because opponent Denis Inkin suffered a virus.

Bradford's unbeaten lightweight Nadeem Siddique, who fights in Aberdeen tomorrow night, is also likely to be on the undercard.