Junior Witter vs Timothy Bradley © AFP

#1 rated challenger Timothy Bradley (22-0, 11 KOs) seized the WBC super lightweight championship with a split decision over defending champion Junior Witter (36-2-1, 21 KOs) on Saturday night at the Trent FM Arena in Nottingham, England. Witter got off to a good start, but Bradley turned the tide by dropping Witter in round six and outworking Witter over much of the remainder of the fight to prevail by scores of 115-113 and 114-113 on two cards. Witter was ahead 115-112 on the third card.

"This is a dream come true, not only to win a world championship, but to wear the green WBC belt all fighters want to hold," said Bradley. "I thank Junior Witter for this opportunity, and the judges for rendering a fair verdict even though I was a challenger fighting in the champion’s home country. Witter and I showed what world-class boxing was all about tonight, and I promise that I will hold on to this belt for a long, long time."

"I couldn’t be prouder of Timothy Bradley after this performance," said Ken Thompson, President of Thompson Boxing Promotions, Bradley’s co-promoter. "His win tonight proved what we’ve been saying about Timothy for years - that he is the best junior welterweight in the world and one of the game’s future superstars."

Added Gary Shaw, President of Gary Shaw Productions, Bradley's co-promoter, "I knew when I signed Timothy Bradley that he would be world champion. Bradley's spectacular work ethic combined with his hunger were the elements that worked tonight. He is a class act with alot of character and good family values that add to his commitment to the sport. It is those attributes that catapulted him into being a champion for such as stellar organization as the World Boxing Council. I am always confident in the WBC's selection of judges and tonight reaffirms the faith that I have in them."

A hostile crowd in the beginning received the judges decision with solid applause and appreciation for the new champion in what became a huge upset in boxing.

"I couldn’t have done this without my team, and I can’t wait to see where we go from here," said Bradley. "Look out world - we’re here."

The loss was a costly one for Witter, who has for years been seeking a showdown with countryman and arch rival Ricky Hatton.

For the 6:1 underdog Bradley, it was an impressive performance against by far his toughest opponent to date. This was the newly-crowned 24-year-old champion's first fight outside of California, as well as his first twelve round fight, but he looked like a seasoned veteran as he took a clear decision that appeared wider than reflected by the judges' official scoring.