New Commonwealth king Junior Witter took less than five minutes to warn Ricky Hatton: I'm coming to get you.

The Bradford light-welterweight demolished Laatekwai Hammond under the gaze of Hatton at last night's glittering London testimonial for Michael Watson.

Witter dumped Ghana's Hammond three times to the canvas in just over a round and a half before referee Richie Davies spared the outclassed African any further punishment.

The stoppage at one minute 56 seconds of the second round was as emphatic as Witter had hoped. And it sent out a chilling message of intent to WBU champion 'The Hitman' Hatton on the top table.

Promoter Frank Warren will pull the strings to make that collision happen - but not just yet.

"We all want that fight and it will happen in due course," he said. "It's building up to be a nice fight and we're going to get that together fairly soon. But we need to build up Junior's exposure a bit first."

Witter's power-packed show at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair proved that he is running into top form at just the right time. This was his eighth straight stoppage win since losing to Zab Judah two years ago and by far the most aggressive.

He won the British title in March by bedazzling a confused Alan Bosworth in Northampton. But this was Witter in pure "Hitter" mode as he planted his feet from the off and let fly with some tasty leather.

Hammond had twice put down Bobby Vanzie two years ago before losing in eight and swaggered into the ring with the confidence of someone sensing more Bradford meat.

He may have taken three visits to the scales to hit the 10st weight limit - evently shedding everything bar a smile - but there looked to be no problems as he danced into the ring.

Hammond even landed the first shot as Witter, whose hands were characteristically low, was caught by a well-placed left which ripped out his gumshield.

Was the occasion going to get to Witter? First appearances can be totally deceptive.

The response was immediate and painful. Witter threw a big right which crashed into the side of Hammond's head and down went the Ghanaian, who was forced to take a standing eight count. Then with 25 seconds of the round to go, Hammond was gazing up at the chandeliers once more after catching another punishing right just above his ear.

Hammond wobbled to his feet a little too eagerly and it fooled no-one. Least of all Witter whose broad grin at the bell said it all.

Within ten seconds of the re-start the carnage had resumed as another right sent Hammond's legs wandering in opposite directions like Bambi on ice.

The end was near. A booming left knocked him back again and as he tottered oblivious to his surroundings, Witter's right uppercut finished the job.

As Witter slipped on the Commonwealth belt, Hatton sat with his head down signing autographs. A few more nights like this and Warren won't be able to ignore the public clamour for their match-up.

Witter said: "I did it in fine style, I'm confident and I think I'm the best in Britain. If anyone wants to challenge me, I'm here."

An audience including such heavyweight names as Lennox Lewis, Audley Harrison, Joe Calzaghe and the legendary Jake La Motta nodded approvingly. The boy from Bradford's time is surely coming.