Junior Witter is Britain’s most neglected fighter. That is a boxing fact and not a convenient bit of fiction. In nine years as a professional he has lost just once in 36 fights and, since 2000, he has stopped or knocked out 15 of the 18 men he has beaten. In that time he won the British, European and Commonwealth light welterweight titles but was forced to relinquish the trio of belts to pursue his dream – it is a dream to him – of winning a world title.

On Friday Witter fights DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley, a denizen of Las Vegas and former world champion, for the vacant World Boxing Council light welterweight title at the Alexandra Palace in London. I suppose, in the harsh light of a ring’s hanging neon, Witter starts as an underdog in what is one of the most impressive world title fights to take place in Britain during the past decade.

“This sport is all about the politics outside the ring and I’ve been a victim,” said Witter. “I’ve been ready for a real world title fight for years but it has never happened – there has been a lot of talk, a lot of plans but nothing. This fight is long overdue.”

It has to be said that waiting for Witter to get his chance has been frustrating but then again so have some of his performances.

“I’ve had nothing but obstacles put in front of me and each time I get close to something special there is a new problem,” continued Witter. “It has been hard to stay motivated in some fights. I admit that in some fights I’ve not been at my best.”

In the summer of 2000, Witter, who at the time was unbeaten in 17 fights, accepted a late-notice job against International Boxing Federation light-welterweight champion Zab Judah. Witter lost on points in a dull affair, which appears to be the sole source of the research carried out by Corley and his noisy trainer Roger Mayweather.

“They have a lot to say and they seem to be saying it all about the Judah fight,” said Witter.

Mayweather is currently banned from working in the corner in Nevada where he lives, following disgraceful scenes in round 10 of a fight between his nephew, Floyd Mayweather, who he trains, and Judah for the IBF’s welterweight title back in April. Roger entered the ring, which is illegal, because of a Judah low blow; a melee involving some 20 people interrupted the fight. Mayweather Jr remained calm (Judah pushed two Nevada officials) but his uncle was fined $200,000 and suspended for a year. The fight, by the way, continued after the police invaded the ring to end the scuffles and Mayweather won a wide points decision.

“Witter has done nothing to deserve this fight. Not one damn thing. It’s total bullshit and that is why Chop’s going to take him out real easy,” said Mayweather. “I’ve looked real hard at Witter’s fight and I ain’t seen shit to lose a second of sleep over; he can’t punch, he’s got no balance and his chin is way up in the air. This fight is over.”

Witter and Brendan Ingle, the whispering fistic guru from Dublin who has been guiding and shaping fighters for more than 30 years from his gym in Sheffield, have sat back and listened to the dis respect for a few weeks.

“Remember, I take a kid at six or seven. They know nothing and I have to work from nothing and I’ve done that with champions, great fighters,” said Ingle. “I hear these Americans running their mouths off, I’ve heard it all before. The truth is that the so-called great trainers in America do the easy work. They get fighters that people like me have been making for years and years in gyms, and the gyms are a long way from the limelight.”

Both Witter and Corley have been inactive and that could be a major factor when the first bell sounds on Friday. A ring-rusty fighter could lose the opening four or five rounds of a slow and cautious fight and then have a hard job gaining back the rounds. Witter and Corley both know how to not get hit and slow a fight down if that suits their tactics.

My money is on Witter to deliver and end the frustration of waiting six years in a seemingly never-ending line for recognition.