BLACKBURN boxer Dezzi Higginson fears he could be out of action for up to nine months after suffering an ear injury during his English lightweight title defeat to Martin Gethin.

Despite enjoying huge hometown support at Altrincham Leisure Centre on Friday night, Higginson saw his dream of landing the vacant belt disappear following a unanimous points defeat.

To compound a disappointing outcome – as judges scored the bout 99-92, 99-92 and 98-92 in favour of Walsall’s Gethin – the 27-year-old perforated his left eardrum which may now require surgery.

The injury happened during the second round and Higginson believes it hampered his performance throughout the remainder of the fight.

Doctors will now perform a hearing test on his ear today and the Blackburn Rovers supporter is hoping there is no lasting damage.

“The doctor will see if the damage has affected my hearing,” said Higginson.

“Hopefully, it s not too serious and it can heal as normal, but if its not healing properly then I’ll have to have surgery.

"It could mean no boxing for up to nine months.

“Martin caught me round my ear in the second round and after that I felt a little bit uncomfortable and it affected my balance.

“But I still believe I won the fight. I thought I edged it.”

Gethin was credited with a comprehensive points victory after the 10 three-minute round fight in Greater Manchester, which was on the undercard of the drawn British and Commonwealth cruiserweight title rematch between Rob Norton and David Dolan.

However, Sky Sports boxing expert Jim Watt scored the fight as a much-closer affair and Higginson believes he had sneaked a victory.

His best round came in the third, when he caught Gethin with a terrific jab to the face before the bell, while a good combination of body shots in the seventh round gave the Blackburn boxer hope.

Higginson – part of the Ricky Hatton stable – continued to graft away until the end as chants of ‘Dezzi’ rang around the arena.

He said: “I thought it was a bit far-fetched from the judges.

"In my opinion, it was a close fight and I thought I edged it.

“He didn’t do much throughout the fight other than a few jabs here and there, and grabbing hold.

“For me, I was throwing the better combinations and better variety of combinations and getting through with more shots.

“But thats the way it goes sometimes. I have to take it on the chin and bounce back – which I will.

Higginson added: “My fans were absolutely magnificent – as they’ve always been when they come to watch me.

“Ricky’s team came up to me and said how great and how loud they were.

"It was a great atmosphere and I’d like to thank everyone who came to support me.”

Higginson is hoping for a re-match with Gethin later this year, but won’t be expecting a fight soon due to his ear injury.

“I’ve been told I can carry on training so I keep my weight down,” he said.

“But there won’t be any sparring for a while.”