Michael Watson has been an inspiration in Junior Witter's rise up the boxing ladder.

He is also a stark reminder of the brutal dangers the Bradford fighter faces every time he steps into a ring.

And tonight Witter will pay his respects to Watson's bravery as lead event on a testimonial show in London.

Watson is expected to receive more than £100,000 from the Grosvenor House Hotel bill, which is topped by Witter's challenge for the vacant light-welterweight Commonwealth belt.

Watson nearly died from the injuries he suffered against Chris Eubank in September 1991 but he has made a remarkable recovery. He will be ringside along with the likes of Raging Bull legend Jake La Motta.

Witter, who first met Watson the year before the fateful fight, said: "What happened to Michael could happen to any boxer and you never forget that.

"It's the only game where you can legally get killed and if anybody says any different they are talking rubbish.

"When you see Michael it just reminds you of the risks, and that is the chance you take every time.

"I remember the first time I saw him was at the junior ABAs at Bethnal Green in 1990. I saw him right at the back of the hall signing autographs.

"I had to join the queue and get him to sign because he was one of the top men at the time along with Eubank and Nigel Benn.

"I always admired him because he never seemed to get the breaks he deserved. I asked him for some advice and he just told me to stick at it and keep working all the time.

"I went on to win the ABAs and a lot of that was down to him. He really inspired me to do well."

British champion Witter is still after a mega-money showdown with Ricky Hatton (see story opposite) but he must first put away Laatekwai Hammond. Hatton will be among the Mayfair glitterati tonight for a contest that will certainly extend the home fighter.

Hammond, a tough guy from Ghana, put down Bradford's Bobby Vanzie twice at lightweight and is no push-over just lined up to make Witter look good.

Witter said: "He's tough and dangerous and his team are saying he's coming over to beat me. But that's what I want and I can't see him being able to handle my style.

"He won't be weight-drained as he was against Vanzie but I've watched the tapes of that fight and know where to exploit his weak spots."

The fight is being shown live on Sky Sports 1 at 10pm.