Gethin's heartbreak in Midlands shot

Walsall featherweight Steve Gethin suffered heartbreak in his bid for the vacant Midlands title in Birmingham.

After three rounds of his clash with Leicester's Del Rogers at the Holiday Inn, the fight was in the balance.

But, midway through the fourth, a swelling appeared under Gethin's right eye and more punches from quick-fisted Rogers opened a cut.

Referee Terry O'Connor called over the ringside doctor to inspect the cut and decided Gethin's title challenge was over.

Bob Plant, an experienced cut man in Gethin's corner, would have liked the chance to stitch up the wound but accepted the decision.

He said: "You have to put the boxer's health first, so maybe it was the right decision. It's such a shame. I would have fancied Steve to dominate the second half of the fight."

Disappointed Gethin demanded a rematch in his changing room afterwards – and is rethinking his decision to quit the ring.

He said: "I was going to retire if I lost, but the way I lost didn't prove anything. I still want to win this belt before I retire."

The 31-year-old was desperate to emulate his boxing brothers by winning a belt and Martin, the current English lightweight champion, and former Midlands welterweight title holder Darren were among the dinner audience last night cheering him on.

They saw the 31-year-old settle quicker into the scheduled 10-round fight on Pat Cowdell's dinner show.

At the opening bell, Gethin got on the front foot and got his jab working. Rogers, having just his sixth professional fight, looked to stand off and counter and, while the former amateur star did land some good punches in the first round, his opponent was busier throughout the session.

There was more action in the second as both let go flurries of punches, but there was more weight behind Gethin's blows.

Rogers had a better third round, but it was still a close session and the fight was shaping up well before the premature end.

Telford's Mark Lloyd, Telford's former Midlands welterweight champion and 'Prizefighter' semi finalist, returned after 10 months away to outpoint Matt Scriven on the same bill.

Lloyd looked sharp and took every session of the four round fight, but suffered a cut between his eyes that needed six stitches and will keep him out for a few weeks.