Junior Witter is poised to put Bradford on top of the boxing world.

After years of waiting, the moment has finally arrived. At London's Alexandra Palace tonight, he can be crowned the first world champion from this city.

American DeMarcus Corley stands in his way. He's a fearsome opponent who has fought - and wobbled - some of the biggest names in the light-welterweight division.

But Witter insists that this is his moment and nobody is going to stand in his way.

"A lot of people said I wouldn't be British champion and now they are saying I will never be WBC champion. I'm going to put it in their faces and parade the belt around Bradford," he said.

"The Ingles have done a lot for me and I've been with them since turning professional. But I would also like to thank my amateur coaches at Bradford Police Boys who taught me things about life.

"I'm happy about who I am as a person and now I want recognition that I'm as good as I think."

Witter has already won the British, European and Commonwealth titles in a career with just one defeat. He is confident of saving his best until last and delivering a world belt in Bradford's biggest fight since Richard Dunn lost to Muhammad Ali in 1976.

"I'm sick of all the waiting and all the talk," he added. "I think I've handled the pressure pretty well but it's time for action.

"I usually get more snappy in the week before the fight but people say I'm actually calmer this time. I think it suits me to be under pressure and I believe this is my destiny to win."

His trainer Dominic Ingle is convinced that Witter will not fail.

Ingle said: "Junior's best performances are when he is up against it. He fights on fear and thrives on it."

Witter failed in a bid for the lesser IBF title against Zab Judah in 2000 - a fight he took at only nine days' notice - but he says there is no comparison this time.

"Six years ago I was a boy, now I'm a man. If people can't see that I've learned from that and moved on then they are ignorant.

"When I started boxing as an 11-year-old, I had this dream of becoming world champion. Tonight that will become reality."

  • The fight is live on Sky Sports 1 and on BBC Radio Five Live at 10pm.