Junior Witter has been promoted to number three in the world in the latest WBC rankings.

And that puts the Bradford light-welter six places ahead of domestic rival Ricky Hatton.

Witter's jump comes on the back of winning the European belt in June when he crushed Italy's Salvatore Battaglia inside two rounds.

Negotiations are now taking place for his first defence against former champion and world title challenger Oktay Urkal. Victory over Urkal, rated fourth by the WBC, would propel Witter into the reckoning for a crack at top dog Arturo Gatti.

Witter could be forced to face Urkal in his native Germany but boxing overseas does not bother him.

He said: "I'll fight him anywhere. They say it can be difficult with the officials away from home but I won't let it go that long.

"It's a massive boost being number three with the WBC. We're not talking alphabet organisations here, they are the most respected of the lot."

Hatton is lined up to face fading American Mike Stewart in October after terms could not be agreed for a match with WBA belt holder Vivian Harris. Not surprisingly, Witter had also made another cheeky bid to step in. He did not get a reply.

Witter said: "I issued another challenge to fight him for £150,000. Considering they were going to pay Harris £750,000 I thought it was a good deal.

"I don't honestly know where Hatton is going to go next because while he keeps talking about all these big fights coming up, none are being made.

"From my own point of view I'm looking at two more fights this year, including Urkal. He has never been stopped and I do rate him but I'm confident of taking him out."