Junior Witter is ready to destroy the only fighter to knock down Ricky Hatton before going after the Hitman himself.

The Bradford puncher could put his British and Commonwealth belts on the line against Eamonn Magee in Manchester on April 5.

The Ulsterman's camp yesterday announced they had agreed a deal to fight Witter as chief support for Hatton's next outing after scheduled opponent Mikhail Kriv-opalov pulled out.

Promoters Sports Network immediately issued a denial saying that nothing has yet been confirmed.

But Witter is happy to run the risk to his potential July pay-day with Hatton by facing the man who decked the WBU light-welter champion last year before losing on points.

Witter said: "It's a big fight but there are no problems on my side. Magee is possibly a harder opponent than Hatton but it doesn't bother me.

"Their fight last year is fresh in the memory and Magee showed he is an awkward customer. He's better than he looks but I'm going out to tear him up.

"Everyone seems to be trying to throw people in front of me to knock me off the path towards Hatton. But Hatton can't run forever - and when I beat Magee there will be no more hiding places."

Witter has won ten in a row since losing in a world title fight to American Zab Judah in June 2000. None have gone past the fifth round.