Title shot for Witter after Bradley vacates

Setanta Sports30th April, 2009

Timothy Bradley has decided to give up his WBC light-welterweight title after being ordered to fight Devon Alexander, who will now meet Junior Witter for the vacant belt.

Bradley claimed the strap by claiming a split-decision win over Witter last year and then added the WBO belt to his haul by outpointing Kendall Holt earlier this month.

After the win over Holt, Bradley immediately set his sights on the winner of this weekend's eagerly-awaited light-welterweight bout between Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.

However, the WBC decreed that he had to first fight number one contender Alexander.

Bradley, believing that Alexander is not a 'worthy' contender, had no intention of doing so, thus resulting in his decision to vacate.

"I felt the fight would have been taking a step back," Bradley said told The Desert Sun.

"I'm looking to fight bigger fights. Devon's not an easy fight, but I can beat him. I'm looking for a bigger name than Devon Alexander.

"I don't think he's worthy."

Bradley insisted, though, that he bears no animosity towards the organisation for their decision.

"I love the WBC," he said. "I'm just trying to move on to bigger things and I hope down the line I'll fight for the WBC title again, but I'm at a different stage right now.

"I have bigger fish to fry. I'm looking at the top dogs and trying to earn my shot at those guys. No matter what people say, I'm worthy of a big fight."

Bradley also revealed that he might be willing to fight Alexander if his fellow American claims the now vacant WBC title by defeating Witter.

"In this game, you have to beat the best to be the best," he mused. "If he beats Junior Witter, I was absolutely wrong. I'll be a man and say that, but I'll also say, 'why didn't he have to go through an eliminator to see if he's worthy?'"

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