BLACKBURN boxer Dezzi Higginson faces the biggest fight of his professional career when he contests the English title next month.

The 27-year-old light welterweight – who last month penned a 12-month contract with Hatton Promotions – takes on Walsall’s Martin Gethin for the vacant belt on January 15.

A venue for the fight – which will be 10 rounds over two minutes – is due to be confirmed in the next fortnight.

Higginson’s last bout came with a points victory over Adam Kelly at Manchester’s Velodrome last month.

Gethin, 26, has won 16 for his 20 professional fights and Higginson considers him a very tough opponent.

“He’s got a good record and this will be difficult,” said Higginson, who is trained by his father Barry at the Fit2XL Gym in Lower Darwen.

“But I’m really up for it. I want to win the title. Once you get the English title and make a couple of defences, then I could be in line for a British title and that wonderful Lonsdale belt.

“That’s a long way away at the moment, but this is the first step to getting there.”