Timothy Bradley caused an upset to claim the WBC light-welterweight belt on points against holder Junior Witter in the Nottingham Arena.

The 24-year-old American won a split decision 112-115, 115-113 and 114-113.

Bradley landed an excellent right hand to knock Witter down in round six in the decisive moment of the bout.

It was an impressive victory by the challenger, serving up 34-year-old Witter's second career defeat with the holder failing to impose himself.

Witter's dream of a high-profile contest against Ricky Hatton has now all but colllapsed after Bradley's first win in Britain.

Veteran Witter found the Californian a tough proposition in the early rounds, with the Bradford-born fighter unable to deliver enough clean blows from his counter-attacking stance.

Bradley showed just why he was unbeaten in 22 previous bouts in what was his first fight outside California, with a bustling, aggressive style.

Witter showed character to recover from the knock down in the sixth , however, to take the seventh and eighth with a series of well-aimed punches.

But the Englishman could not land the big punch throughout, and Bradley hurt Witter with a couple of cutting left hooks in round ten.

Leaking blood from the corner of his left eye, Witter came out for the final round uncertain finding Bradley the aggressor once more, landing more clean blows and ultimately deserving the narrow verdict.