On returning to the UK, Gethin trod water beating Carl Allen and Ali Wyatt until the opportunity arose for him to fight the unbeaten Nadeem Siddique.

[2] In September 2008 Gethin fought touted prospect John Fewkes for the vacant English lightweight title and forced the referee to wave it off in the 4th round.

[4] Gethin's first defence ended in disappointment however when he was defeated by Stoke's Scott Lawton at Nottingham's Trent FM Arena on 6 December 2008.

In March 2009 Gethin tried to shake off the disappointment of defeat by taking part in an eliminator for the British title, this time meeting Liverpool's John Watson at the city's Echo Arena.

A victory the following month against another journeyman boxer, Jason Nesbitt, put Gethin back on winning ways before on 15 January 2010 he got the opportunity to once more fight for the English title.