Junior Witter has been hailed as the saviour of British boxing.

Promoter Mick Hennessy reckons Bradford's new world champion has shown the way to pull the domestic game out of the doldrums.

Boxing's image in this country has suffered because of the growing number of "alphabet" titles as more and more governing bodies spring up.

But Witter has insisted on taking the traditional route to the top and Hennessy sees that as a benchmark for other fighters to follow.

"People need to take a leaf out of this man's book for the sake of British boxing," said Hennessy.

"He's been British, Commonwealth, European and now WBC champion and that's the proper way to do it.

"The rest is killing the sport and we need to get rid of all these alphabet titles.

"People call these others world titles and nobody gives them stick but this man comes through the right way and that needs to be recognised.

"It takes a man and a proper fighter like Junior Witter to do it and others need to copy that. You'd soon bring British boxing back to the absolute heyday if you follow this recipe."

New York-based Guyanan Vivian Harris is being lined up as a potential mandatory defence - a fight Witter would love before Christmas if possible.

But Hennessy has not ruled out the prospect of a mouth-watering showdown with the likes of Jose Castillo, the former WBC lightweight top dog.

Castillo is expected to face Ricky Hatton next year but Witter, through his link-up with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy promotions company, may now try to gazump him.

"We already have a great working relationship with Golden Boy and the opportunities are really opening up for Junior, with a number of big fights already lined up over there," said Hennessy.

"Oscar likes his style; he believes he's awkward and can punch better than any 140lb in the division and he rates him highly.

"They want to work big things with him in the States and were absolutely ecstatic about the other night.

"We're going to look for super-fights and Junior's got that style that can upset any fighter in the world.

"You know the score with Junior, he will fight anyone. He takes on world-class fighters like Lovemore N'Dou in eliminators - who else does that?

"DeMarcus Corley is a guy who nearly knocked out Miguel Cotto, and also had Floyd Mayweather all over the shop, but Junior wiped the floor with him last week. It was an incredible performance."