Steve Gethin's last chance of a title

Walsall's Steve Gethin has admitted it's his last chance to become a champion when he vies for the British Masters super featherweight title in Swindon.

The 32-year-old co-challenges with Melksham's Liam Richards at the MECA tonight for the vacant belt, after two unsuccessful shots at Midlands champion Del Rogers last year.

Richards himself has already beaten Gethin twice on points but missed out on his first chance at a title, the British Masters featherweight crown, to Cradley's Chris Male at Wolverhampton Civic Hall last June.

It's a second chance on home turf for the Wiltshire fighter and a last call for Gethin, who has been forced to watch as both of his brothers have won titles.

Now-retired elder sibling Darren won an area belt at welterweight, while younger brother Martin is the English lightweight champion.

Martin is playing an active role in Steve's training for fight night, as he is currently sidelined with a back injury.

Both are keeping their fingers crossed it will work as it will surely be the last chance for the third boxing brother to win a title, as Steve is planning to retire later this year.

He said: "I don't think I will be doing it much longer now. A couple more fights and that's about it for me, but I keep saying that!

"Martin wants me to win this title real bad, he was like 'you have got to win one.'

"It would be a good finish for the family, occasionally my brothers have little digs and I want to give it back."

Gethin, at least, knows what to expect from his opponent, who beat him twice in 2009, in fights that he insists were a lot closer than what the scorecards suggested.

Richards is a bright prospect working his way back up the ladder after losing to Male but the 24-year-old not regarded as a puncher, after failing to stop any of his nine opponents in the pro ranks.

And Gethin has warned him it's a fight that might not go the distance, as he believes he will have to force a stoppage to take the decision.

He said: "I will try and take him out early but I can't go out swinging as that will leave me open, I have just to keep my distance and catch him as he comes in, because I am taller than him.

"It gives me confidence that if he does catch me, he can't knock me out.

"I have felt his power and he isn't very strong, I have been hit a lot harder than that."

Also on the bill at the Swindon MECA are Walsall's Bobby Wood and Birmingham's Hastings Rasani.

Wood will take on Swindon's Kelvin Young in a four round middleweight contest, while Rasani is down for a six-rounder with Swindon-based Moroccan heavyweight Noureddine Meddoune.