[1] On 5 March 2005 Dean fought for the Southern Area Featherweight title defeating Mickey Coveney over 10 rounds at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham.
The win set up a shot at the vacant English title in his next fight only for Dean to lose for the sixth time in his career to Andy Morris, a man who would go on to claim the full British belt.
On 18 September 2005 Dean fought and defeated novice boxer Gary Davies with a fourth round stoppage win.
Dean finished the year by traveling to the Ukraine to fight Andrey Isaev only to lose in the 12th round of his challenge for the WBF International title.
Dean made the first defence of his Southern Area Featherweight title on 9 December 2006 against rising star Matthew Marsh eventually losing the belt on a points decision over 10 rounds.