Junior Witter believes that stepping up to welterweight will give him a new lease of life.

The 36-year-old Yorkshireman is set to return to the ring after an 18-month absence on February 19, when he faces Romanian-born, but now Canadian resident Victor Lupo (18-1-2 9KOs) over 10 rounds in Mississauga, Ontario.

Witter (37-3-2 22KOs) has not fought since his world-title clash with current 140lbs king Devon Alexander in August 2009 - but is determined to return to the top.

He is no stranger to boxing's promised land, having fought at a world championship level for the past 11 years, eventually capturing the WBC light-welterweight world title in September of 2006 with a 12-round unanimous decision over former world champion DeMarcus Corley.

Witter successfully defended the title twice, including a devastating seventh round knockout of another former world champion, Vivian Harris, one year into his reign.

However, the sensational showing against Harris proved to be his last big win at the 140lbs limit, despite his attempts to clinch a domestic showdown with Ricky Hatton.

"It got to the point where just making the weight took it all out of me. Imagine getting into the ring with guys like Timothy Bradley and Devon Alexander, and having nothing left?" said Witter.

"That's what 140 was doing to me. But now, instead of battling weight during camp, then dragging myself into the ring, I'm strong, refreshed and able to concentrate more on domination, and less on starvation."

Despite Witter's championship pedigree, Lupo and his team don't plan on meekly shuffling into the ring on February 19, like a lamb to slaughter. They're in this to make a statement of their own.

"We respect Witter for everything he's accomplished. You don't become a world champion by accident," said Lupo's trainer, Chris Johnson.

"You get to the top by being the best. So, clearly Witter is a heck of a fighter. If your only losses are to Bradley, Alexander, and (Zab) Judah, you're pretty good.

"But I don't train fighters to lose. When Victor steps into the ring, he'll know he can win this fight. Victor is a great learner, and very adaptable. And he's shown that he can fight too. You don't luck into an 18-1-2 record.

"At the end of the day, Victor's fresher, hungrier and ready to seize the moment."