Dudley’s Darren McDermott took a massive step towards another crack at the British middleweight title in Birmingham.

His gruelling 97-94 points win over Steve Bendall on the bumper bill at the NIA secured the English belt and means the 29-year-old from Dudley will surely get the chance to fight the winner of next month’s British title clash between Birmingham rivals Wayne Elcock and Matthew Macklin.

McDermott is desperate to secure a rematch with Elcock following the heartbreak of his two-round cuts stoppage when they met at Wolverhampton Civic Hall last June and will be at ringside at Aston Events Centre on March 14 for ‘The Battle of Brum.’

He said: “I’m ready for another British title fight. I was a bit rusty because I hadn’t boxed for a while, but I still beat a tough, experienced fighter.”

Bendall had ripped the title from Paul Smith in the same ring in a big upset last June and the Coventry southpaw fought hard to hang on to his belt, after coming under heavy fire in the opening rounds.

Although inactive since that British title defeat eight months earlier, McDermott still settled better and was soon pumping out solid jabs that bloodied Bendall’s nose in the opening round.

He was quicker to the punch and his blows sliced open a cut on Bendall’s right eyebrow in the fifth round.

Bendall fired back when he could, but McDermott was always busier and his punches were sharper and more accurate.

In the last three rounds, Bendall held on desperately at times as McDermott cranked up the pressure.

McDermott finished the fight on top and the referee’s scorecard at the final bell revealed he won six rounds, Bendall won three and the other session was drawn.

‘The Black Country Bodysnatcher’ admitted: “After the first round, I thought it was going to be easy. I thought I was going to have an early night.

“I was catching Steve cleanly and I hurt him a few times. But he was so determined. He gave it everything he had got. He’s a tough, experienced fighter.

“He messed me about a bit with his holding and that made it hard for me.

“But I still felt I was in charge of the fight.”

Manager Dean Powell was pleased with McDermott’s performance.

He added: “Darren needed the rounds. Steve was tough and made him work for the win. He is ready to take the next step now.”