Junior Witter will carry more than just his personal dreams and ambitions into the boxing ring in London tonight.

He also stands on the brink of making history as the first Bradford boxer to be crowned a true world champion.

His fight against American DeMarcus Corley at the Alexandra Palace is the biggest in the sport for this city since Richard Dunn went toe to toe with the greatest of them all, Muhammad Ali.

It is 30 years since Dunn unsuccessfully challenged Ali for the world heavyweight crown in Munich. Both British and European champion at the time, Dunn fought bravely but was ultimately no match for Ali and the referee wisely stepped in at the end of a one-sided fourth round during which the challenger was knocked down three times.

Witter will hope to fare better against Corley for the World Boxing Council's belt - seen as the most traditional and prestigious among the proliferation of titles available. Like Dunn, Witter has already conquered Britain and Europe in his own weight division. He gave up both titles without being beaten so that he could concentrate on pursuing the world dream he has followed since first lacing up gloves as a youngster growing up in Girlington.

Dunn returned from Germany to a hero's reception and the sports stadium in Odsal that he had helped to build was named in his honour. Witter, another local lad who has come good, will deserve a similar accolade. Particularly if he does emerge triumphant.

We wish him well - and perhaps maybe the most appropriate reward would be the provision of suitable facilities within the city to stage big-time boxing which at the moment are so sadly lacking.