Not that the elderly gent in the sun hat perched next to it seems to mind.

Brendan Ingle's attention is fixed on the two lads throwing punches at each other ten feet away. Armstrong's ode to a day on the river bank seems strangely out of place in a boxing gym.

But then Ingle's cramped Sheffield headquarters, in the shadow of the M1, is no ordinary gym.

These unlikely surroundings once nurtured the explosive talents of Naseem Hamed and Herol "Bomber" Graham. For the last 12 years, they have been the boxing home for Bradford's Junior Witter.

Six weeks from now, he fights unbeaten American Devon Alexander aiming to regain the light-welterweight world title Witter lost just over a year ago.

His training regime is stepping up again to peak at the right time. But there are no special privileges.

The gym is a hive of activity. The former world champion jostles for floor space with fighters of all weights, ages and ability.

Shortly before Witter's arrival, a 12-year-old wannabe is given a public rollicking from trainer Dominic Ingle for messing his mum about. The others are told to stop and listen; the sense of community within the boxing family is strong.

There are no airs and graces, not even with Witter. The only concession to his lofty position is that he can choose the music, with Armstrong shuffling away for the harsher beat of gangsta rap.

Witter warms up with a few shadow punches in front of a full-length mirror. Not that he can see much of a reflection as the glass steams up from the frenetic action all around.

This is his second visit of the day. That morning it was just Witter and British welterweight champion Kell Brook; now there are up to 30 going through their paces and space is at a premium. The gloves go on and, after a few crashing blows into the heavy bag, he joins the sparring under the intense eye of the younger Ingle.

The trainer leans on the apron barking occasional instructions while still casting a sideways glance at the congested floor beneath him.

"Last half" he shouts to count down 30 seconds as Witter and opponent Adnan Amar tangle in a heap and nearly fall through the ropes.

The other leading fighters take it in turns to have a pop at Witter and there's no going easy.

One sparring partner comes over to have his laces tightened.

"Junior's firing on all cylinders," he confirms with a fixed grin. "He'll say he's only ticking over - but that's still on a much higher level."

His view is reinforced as Amar is suddenly dropped by a sharp right hand. He bounces straight back up but Witter has made his point.

He needs to. In the gym's lion pack mentality, Witter has to constantly prove that he is still the best.

"I'm on top at the minute and everybody is gunning for me," he said. It's perfect because if I have a little slip, someone's going to pick on me. The hardest thing is not fighting, it's staying on top in the gym.

"Kell Brook is chomping at my heels to get the number one spot, so's Adnan Amar. Danny Mac (McIntosh) has come on loads; Paul David wants the number one spot.

"Loads of people are trying to put one over me so I can't ease off. Everybody picks on me and I can't afford to have any bad days."

Witter is comfortable with the three-week delay for his showdown in America after Alexander announced he was not ready for the original date of July 11. It's a long time since he has been fazed by the pitfalls that litter the sport.

Witter added: "I've had at least seven fights since January that have been on, then cancelled, then put back. But the new date's been confirmed with the TV company (Showtime) so it's definitely happening and I'm happy with that.

"This is my last few weeks without a world title. Come August 2 I'll be heading home with the WBC belt back round my waist."

And become a bigger catch for those angling to be king of the gym.

Watch the Video Interview with Junior Witter click HERE