By Alex Trickett

Junior Witter has his eyes on a Ricky Hatton fight

British champion Junior Witter believes his light welterweight rival Ricky Hatton would "destroy" US lightweight Diego Corrales if given the chance.

Hatton, who dethroned IBF title holder Kostya Tszyu on Sunday, is being linked to a Corrales fight in Cardiff.

Witter, who is also desperate for a crack at Hatton's belt, thinks Corrales would make a perfect first defence.

"It's the best fight for Hatton because he is not as dangerous as the Americans think he is," Witter told BBC Sport.

"Corrales has had loads of wars, he has been hit, been dropped and got up in the last minute.

"But truly, he is a super feather blown up to lightweight.

Corrales wants Hatton in Cardiff

"This is the perfect time to have him. In his last fight against Jose Luis Castillo, he was out on his feet and he came back to win in spectacular fashion.

"But he did that at lightweight. If he moves up again, it will get harder for him.

"Corrales is going to come in after the Castillo fight overrated and I really do think Ricky would destroy him."

In a fight with Hatton, at some point I'd end up in the trenches, but I know I'd be able to do that Junior Witter

Witter, who defends his European title against Andreas Kotelnik on 9 July, hailed Hatton's victory over Tszyu as "brilliant for British boxing".

But he predicted that he would prevail if the pair ever fight.

"Hatton chose the right tactics against Tszyu. He bullied, he held, he hit, he bent the rules a bit and the referee let him get away with it," said Witter, 31.

"He's just confirmed what I thought about him - his skill, technique and fitness.

"But I've definitely got the skill and the style to beat him. I haven't had many wars, I don't get beaten up and can go in the trenches if I have to.

"In a fight with Hatton, at some point I'd end up in the trenches, but I know I'd be able to do that.

"I'd catch him clean on the way in and land with accurate shots from distance.