JON-LEWIS Dickinson is hoping to end 2013 with a Lonsdale belt to call his own, but the Birtley fighter is refusing to look beyond Friday's North-East showdown with David Dolan.

Dickinson will make the first defence of his British cruiserweight title at Rainton Meadows Arena on Friday, having claimed the crown last autumn.

The 26-year-old beat Dolan when the pair met in a Northern Area title bout at the Stadium of Light in 2011, and the contest was close enough for Dickinson to be taking nothing for granted ahead of their rematch.

"Dave's a tough fighter," said Dickinson. "He's fit, he's going to be there for a fight and he's not going to hide. I've got a lot of respect for him and I'm prepared for a tough battle.

"We're not going to have to look for each other, we'll both stand there and the best man will come out on top - and that'll be me."

Dickinson is hoping a win over Dolan will prove a major stepping stone to winning a Lonsdale Belt outright, although he accepts he will have to stay ahead of an emerging group of youngsters who are eyeing his title.

"There are a few names coming through like China Clarke, Chris Keane, Wadi Camacho and Stephen Simmons, so it's heating up nicely," he said.

"I'm keeping a close eye on them and am looking forward to this next year - getting it on with them and showing them who the best in the country is. At the moment though, I'm definitely not looking past Dave Dolan."

There is a strong undercard to Friday's title fight, with North-East derby bouts between Hartlepool's unbeaten Peter Cope and South Shields' David 'Dynamite' Lake, and Middlesbrough's Francis Croes and South Shields' Anthony 'Babyface' Nelson.

The bill will also feature Birtley's Craig Dixon and Travis Dickinson, Easington's Paul Archer, Fishburn's Gary Fox, Scarborough's Danny Price and Spennymoor's Ben Jackson.