Witter has long targeted a fight against fellow Brit Ricky Hatton

The Yorkshire light welterweight faces Guyana's former world champion Harris in Doncaster on 7 September.

And Hennessy reckons it outweighs Hatton's Las Vegas win over Mexican warrior Jose Luis Castillo in June.

He said: "Harris is a far harder opponent and a former world champion in this division and big at the weight."

Witter won the WBC crown by beating American DeMarcus Corley on points at London's Alexandra Palace in September.

When he is on top of his game, which he has been in recent fights, he is a real threat Hennessy on Witter

The Bradford boxer, who has won 35 of his 38 fights, then made a successful defence of his title in January, when he stopped Mexican Arturo Morua in round nine.

But Hennessy added: "Harris is a dangerous opponent and this is a chance for Junior to really make a name for himself in a competitive world title fight.

"This could be an explosive fight and if Junior wins then the public will be demanding a fight between Witter and Hatton like never before, whatever the outcome of Ricky against Floyd Mayweather.

"Since losing his WBA title to Carlos Maussa, Harris has won three on the trot and is back to his best.

"When he is on top of his game, which he has been in recent fights, he is a real threat.

"He has lost just twice in 31 fights and made three defences of the world title so he is well experienced at this level."