Kevin McCauley's first title defence

Stourbridge welterweight Kevin McCauley will defend his Midlands title for the first time against British Masters champion Sean McKervey on December 4.

McCauley has lined the fight less than a week after winning the belt from Dave Ryan and will again give up home advantage, on a dinner show to take place at Coventry's Hilton Hotel.

It's a rematch for the two, who battled to a fighting draw in a four-rounder at Wolverhampton Civic Hall last month, and a chance to McKervey to upgrade his title to a bona-fide British Boxing Board of Control recognised belt in the backdrop of his hometown.

It took previous title holder Ryan 17 months to defend his crown and his conqueror just days to put it up-for-grabs, signalling his intention to be a fighting champion.

But McCauley believes the challenger deserves a shot.

He said: "I am not going to be one of these fighters that holds onto the belt and doesn't defend it, I want to be a Midlands champion that defends it well.

"I would like to think that if I hadn't won the belt last week, Sean would have given me a chance to fight for his title.

"But I won't be losing to him, I am the better fighter. It's all up to me and I know that I can do it.

"This is a good fight for me and I will be spending Christmas with my Midlands title."

Just a week ago, McCauley's dream came true as he lifted his first title as a professional in difficult circumstances, going to Ryan's hometown and beating the champion on points to rip the belt from him.

It was close, just a point in it, and a huge upset with the challenger going into battle with 19 defeats on a 28-fight record at 31 years old.

McCauley will certainly never forget last Saturday night in Derby, the first and greatest 10 rounds of his career.

He said: "It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, it was do-or-die or me and this fight is no different.

"It was close but he was fading in the later rounds, whereas I was keeping up what I was doing. I had a game plan, I didn't go in there to knock him out, I went out to box and score points.

"I deserved to win, but it was a shock to get the decision because I have had a lot of bad calls go against me in the past."