Junior Witter's WBO title dream has been put on hold.

Bradford's British and Commonwealth light-welter champion has been forced to pull out of Saturday's interim title showdown with Kelson Pinto because of an injury in sparring.

Witter snapped a tendon in his right hand on the punch pads and has been told to take three weeks off to let it heal.

It is another setback for Witter, who is desperate to break into the boxing big time against Ricky Hatton.

A win over the unbeaten Brazilian Pinto in Manchester would have finally unlocked the door to a Battle of Britain against the Hitman.

Witter said: "I've felt fitter than I have before any other fight that's why I'm so gutted. I was doing all the training runs faster than usual."

Manager John Ingle said: "This fight was his big chance to show that he is ready for Hatton.

"It was a injury out of notthing but luckily it's not a serious one.

"He caught the bag a bit stiffly and this lump came up like a little gobstopper under his skin.

"We thought he might have chipped a bone but he had tests and the problem is the tendon on the first finger at the back of the hand.

"It's not going to have any long-term effect but it just puts everything back again."

Promoter Frank Warren said: "Obviously I am disappointed that Junior is injured.

"We worked hard to get the fight for him and we will now try to reschedule it for a later date."