Del 'Boy' Rogers could be battling for the British featherweight championship in 2011.

He defends his Midlands Area title against Steve Gethin in a rematch at Birmingham's Holiday Inn a week on Monday, December 6 and promoter Pat Cowdell reckons the 23-year-old from Ashby Magna, near Lutterworth, will be ready to challenge Britain's best.

The title is currently held by Martin Lindsay and the ice-cool punch-picker makes his first defence in front of his Belfast fans against John Simpson nine days after Rogers's title rematch.

"Del is already as good as anyone out there," said Cowdell. "And he's still young and improving.

"He gets more confidence with every win and there's no reason why he can't challenge for the British title next year."

Rogers is aiming to end more than 20 years of hurt for Leicestershire boxers.

Tony Sibson was the last fighter from the County to win a British title.

He won a Lonsdale belt outright with a seven-round stoppage of Brian Anderson in September, 1987.

But, before Rogers gets his chance, he has to beat Gethin and the 32-year-old from Walsall is fired up for the scheduled 10-round fight.

In February, Rogers was a four-round winner on cuts when they met for the vacant belt.

Cowdell said: "Gethin asked for a rematch. He thought he was winning the fight before he got cut."

Some ringsiders felt Rogers, now unbeaten in eight contests, was taking charge with his fast-fisted flurries.

But Cowdell, the former world-title challenger from Warley, has asked for a change of tactics going into the rematch from the slickster who was named Young Boxer of the Year at the Midlands Area Council's annual awards night.

"Del has a cracking jab," he said. "It's probably his best punch and I would like to see him throw it more."

Tickets for the three-fight dinner show are available from 01455 202391.

Meanwhile, Lester Walsh is preparing to go toe-to-toe with one of British boxing's hottest prospects.

The 34-year-old from Braunstone heads to Sheffield a week tonight to meet Liam Cameron, the 2009 ABA middleweight champion.

Cameron is unbeaten in six professional fights.