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NOTTINGHAM, England (AP) -Timothy Bradley knocked down Junior Witter in the sixth round on the way to winning the WBC light-welterweight title Saturday night on a a split decision.
The unbeaten American, who had never fought as a pro outside of California, will take home the belt after his big punches overcame a 10-year age gap against the experienced British fighter whose only previous loss in 39 fights was eight years ago.
Bradley's big right hand was always a danger to the 34-year-old champion who constantly switched to his left but was unable to unload enough powerful shots to worry the American, who is now 22-0. Witter, making his third defense, is 36-2-2.
Two of the judges scored the fight 114-113 and 115-113 in Bradley's favor and the third gave it 115-112 to Witter, whose chances of a showdown with former world champion Ricky Hatton now appear to have gone.
"I trained hard and I worked hard my whole life to get to this point," Bradley said. "I have been watching videos of him for years. I've studied every fighter from 140 (pounds) to 147. I always do my homework and I saw that he was getting hit by right hands all the time.
"The whole time he just kept talking about (Ricky) Hatton. And if you have your mind set on something else you're not really ready for the big show that's ahead. He trained hard for me but his mind was on Ricky Hatton. I love (Hatton's) style, he's a great champion. I'll let my promoters handle all of that."
Bradley landed two right hands in the third round but served more notice of his power halfway through the 12-round contest.
After connecting with a short left, Bradley launched a big right hand with 16 seconds left in round six, catching the champion firmly on the chin and sending him sprawling to the canvas. Bradley tried to continue the assault after the British fighter got to his feet but the bell came to the champion's rescue.
Bradley caught Witter with another right to the side of his head in the seventh but the champion, with a cut and swelling under his right eye, hit back with a solid left hook to shake the challenger.
Witter had blood seeping from a cut over his left eye and Bradley clipped his nose with another right hand 13 seconds before the bell to end the 11th.
