Junior Witter's promoter is desperate to stage the biggest fight of his career in England.

Feverish negotiations are underway for Witter's world-title clash with American DeMarcus Corley after the WBC confirmed light-welter champion Floyd Mayweather had vacated to step up a division.

Promoter Mick Hennessy has opened talks with boxing mogul Don King and wants to land home advantage for the Bradford fighter.

An agreement must be reached before April 27 or it will go to purse bids in Mexico. The title fight has to take place before July 25.

Hennessy told the Telegraph & Argus: "I've already made a preliminary offer to Don King's camp to get it over here.

"We've got two bites at the cherry in effect because of my tie-up with Oscar De La Hoya, so even if it is in America we could work something out to make sure that Junior is in the home corner.

"But in an ideal world, I'd love to put it on in England. Junior deserves that.

"The WBC is the most prestigious belt in boxing and, having gone the traditional route of British, Commonwealth and European champion, it would be fantastic if he could achieve that in this country and finally get the plaudits he deserves."

Corley, from Washington DC, is number two in the WBC rankings - one below Witter - and presents a live and very

dangerous challenge.

He won the WBO title by beating Felix Flores in June 2001 and also has wins over former champions Randall Bailey and Ener Julio to his name.

The 31-year-old has taken Mayweather the distance and last year rocked Miguel Cotto before losing a fifth-round stoppage to the WBO holder.

Hennessy added: "He hurt Mayweather and Cotto but Junior is a totally different style. Corley will struggle to fathom him out.

"Junior is 32 now but that's still young for a top fighter. He lives clean, eats properly and doesn't really drink.

"I know he is going to have his back against the wall but that will bring out the best in him. You saw that against Lovemore N'Dou, another top-drawer fighter who has given all the big fighters a run for their money."

Witter flies out to Gran Canaria tomorrow to step up training for a scheduled defence of his European crown against Italian Guiseppe Lauri, although that fight is still to be confirmed.

Hennessy said: "We will make a decision on that one as a team. Junior wants to take the fight to keep sharp for Corley.

"He has has already knocked out Lauri before and is convinced he will do an even better job this time."

Manager John Ingle added: "It's a risk with the Corley fight coming up but it's as much a risk as Junior makes it."